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Jude: How to Keep YourSelf from Error!

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The opening of the Book of Jude is the traditional opening of everyday letters from the New Testament era. Letters were written on papyrus that was rolled in scrolls. When a scroll was opened, the first word the reader's eye would see was the author. This was practical. It would save the reader from reading a scroll and then discovering that he did not know the author or did not like the author. Knowing who the author was gave the first reader some assurance of how to read the book.

While we sign our names at the bottom of a letter we may write and send in today's world, it is often the case that the receiver looks to the bottom of the page first to see who the author is before reading the text of the letter.

Introduction: Hello v. 1-2
Jude, the book begins with the author's name. Jude introduces himself to his readers in two ways.

First, he gives his calling. He refers to himself as a servant of Jesus Christ. The word servant indicates one who is bound to another. The term originally signified one who was a slave compared with the following: a master (Matt. 8.9) or a person who was free (Gal. 3.28). Paul considered himself and other teachers of the day as "servants" to other Christians (2 Cor. 4.5). One can be a slave to many things: corruption (2 Pet. 2.19); men (1 Cor. 7.23); sin (John 8.34). To be a servant of Jesus is the privilege of all believers. It expresses one who has given himself over to be controlled by a new master. The word itself indicates a quality of character. For Jude it designated his authority to speak the stern words that will follow in his letter.

Second, Jude introduces himself from a human and family point of view: and a brother of James. It would have been a simple task for Jude to have introduced himself as a half-brother of Jesus. What more authority would one need than to be born into the family of Jesus. Instead, he appeals to his authority on the basis of his servanthood to his half-brother not on his physical relationship. In short, Jude was not a namedropper. His family relationship came second to his personal relationship.

Jude uses what could be called a "series connective" by using the word and which is the most common connective. The choise of connective tells the reader that there is some equality on each side of the connective. It says to the reader that Jude is equally a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James.

Jude now introduces his audience three ways.

First, the book is written to those who have been called. The word called is the essential word. In the Old Testament, Israel's calling is closely linked with the choice or election of God (Isa. 41.8-9; 42.1; 43.10). The concept reflects the divine initiative to which each individual must respond in faith. In the New Testament it may be a technical term for the process of salvation into which Christians enter at their new birth. It suggests that "the calling" of the listeners had already become effective. The readers of this book had been summoned by God and had responded to his invitation. The ones who are "called" are the ones who are "called" and "kept."

Second, (to those) who are loved by God the Father. The word loved as compared to "sanctified" (KJV) has the support of Vaticas, Sinaiticus, the Alexandrian Manuscripts, the Vulgate, the Syriac Versions, Westcott and the Nestle texts . The translation of the above text should read "in God the Father." The Greek word that NIV has translated "by" is 'in' (en). The phrase suggests that the believer is "in" the love of God. The picture presented is like being "in" a pool of water. The water is completely around us. Jude is presenting us with a view of God's love and our position in respect to it.

Third, and (to those) who are kept by Jesus Christ. The word kept finishes the thought of this verse. The text says that we are kept "for" Jesus. Again Jude uses the connective and to tell his reader that there is some equality on each side of the connective. It says to the reader that the "called ones" are equally "loved" and "kept."

Finally, Jude introduces his hope for his audience. He uses a different greeting than other New Testament authors. Compare the opening of Romans, 1 Corinthians, Ephesians, etc. The greeting that Jude uses is especially fitting because of the theme of his book. Paul uses the common "Grace and peace to you...." He adds the word "mercy" in his letters to Timothy. Peter uses "Grace and peace be yours...." He also uses the word "abundance." John uses "Grace, mercy and peace..." in his second letter. The first readers of the book of Jude need to have an abundance of "mercy, peace and love" in their lives in the midst of false teachers and their teachings. The connective and is used again to say to the reader that "mercy, peace and love" are equally important for the reader to experience. His hope is that they will have:

Mercy, The word mercy stands first in the greeting. Mercy is the benefit that the people of God need most because of false teachers and their teachings.

Peace, Every believer wants to experience peace in her or his life. The order that Jude uses is interesting. He may be telling his readers that peace comes when one has received mercy from God.

And love, Matthew provides his readers with an interpretation of love in (Matthew 5.43-48. There are several words in the New Testament that are translated by our English word love. The word that Jude has chosen is not a "feeling" which we receive. It is a decision that is made.

Be yours in abundance, Jude uses the word abundance to suggest that his readers have more "mercy, peace and love" than they may think that they need.

It is important to note from your discoveries that this greeting carries great significance for what follows in the text of Jude. To understand this point will allow you to understand what was needed by these first readers of Jude as well as readers today in regards to "fighting for the faith."

Questions to Ponder

1. What does the connective Jude uses in verse 1 tell you about Jude?
   
2. When you want to achieve a position, authority, or visibility, do you drop names in order to achieve your goal?
   
3. What do you think about name-dropping?
   
4. What event in past history began the process of the "called ones" being kept?
   
5. Who do you think keeps the "called ones" for Jesus?
   
6. What do you think Jude means when he uses the word "mercy?"
   
7. How does mercy work in your life?
   
8. What do you think Jude means by the word peace.?
   
9. How have you experienced the peace Jude talks about in your life?
   
10. What do you think Jude means when he uses the word love?
    
11. How do you think that you receive love in abundance?
    
12. What do you think you should do with what you have received?
    
13. In the last year how abundant has mercy, peace, and love been demonstrated in your life for the sake of the world?
    
14. In what measure have you received an abundance of mercy, peace and love in contrast to your problems?

Recommended Resources

	Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture. James, 1-2 Peter, 1-3 John, Jude		2 Peter, Jude: A New Translation With Introduction and Commentary		James, First and Second Peter, and Jude		Second Epistle General of Peter and the General Epistle of Jude: An Introduction and Commentary
	1 Peter 2 Peter Jude		2 Peter, Jude		The Letters of John and Jude