The Letter of Jude

by Felix Just, S.J., Ph.D.

Introduction | Outline | Issues | Questions | Bibliography


Introduction to the Letter of Jude:


An Outline of the Letter of Jude:

  1. Letter Opening (vv. 1-2):
    1: Sender & Recipient: "Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James... to those who are called, beloved in God..."
    2: Formal Greeting: "may mercy, peace, and love be yours in abundance."
  2. Letter Body (vv. 3-23):
  3. 3-4: Occasion and Theme: "Contend for the faith" against "ungodly intruders"
    5-7: Three examples of the punishment of unbelief and disobedience: Israelites, rebellious angels, Sodom & Gomorrah
    8-10: Three charges against the "dreamers": they defile the flesh, reject authority, slander the angels
    11: Three more biblical examples of people who cause sin, error, rebellion: Cain, Balaam, Korah
    12-13: Polemic descriptions of the ungodly: waterless clouds, fruitless trees, wild waves, wandering stars
    14-15: Prophecies of Enoch against those who are ungodly in deed and speech
    16: More accusations against the "malcontents": grumbling, lust, boasting, flattery
    17-18: Predictions of Jesus' Apostles against the ungodly: scoffers who indulge their lusts
    19: These people are worldly, devoid of Spirit, and cause divisions
    20-23: Appeal to the "beloved" to build themselves up and help others, with faith, prayer, love, mercy, etc.
  4. Letter Closing (vv. 24-25)
    24-25: Concluding Doxology

Main Issues with Jude:

Authorship/Authenticity:

Use of Scripture and Non-Biblical Texts:

Rhetorical Techniques:


Questions for Review and Discussion:


For Further Reading and Study 

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