Book Chapter Verse ID SupportReference OrigQuote Occurrence GLQuote OccurrenceNote JUD front intro xh5n 0 # Introduction to Jude


## Part 1: General Introduction

### Outline of the Book of Jude

1. Introduction (1:1-2)
2. Warning against false teachers (1:3-4)
3. Old Testament examples (1:5-16)
4. Proper response (1:17-23)
5. Praises to God (1:24-25)

### Who wrote the Book of Jude?

The author identified himself as Jude the brother of James. Both Jude and James were half-brothers of Jesus. It is unknown whether this letter was intended for a specific church.

### What is the Book of Jude about?

Jude wrote this letter to warn believers against false teachers. Jude often referred to the Old Testament. This may suggest that Jude was writing to a Jewish Christian audience. This letter and 2 Petter have similar content. They both speak about angels, Sodom and Gomorrah, and false teachers.

### How should the title of this book be translated?

Translators may choose to call this book by its traditional title, “Jude.” Or they may choose a clearer title, such as “The Letter from Jude” or “The Letter Jude Wrote.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

## Part 2: Important Religious and Cultural Concepts

### Who were the people Jude spoke against?

It is possible that the people Jude spoke against were those who would become known as Gnostics. These teachers distorted the teachings of scripture for their own gain. They lived in immoral ways and taught others to do the same. JUD 1 1 ek3q figs-you 0 General Information: Jude identifies himself as the writer of this letter and greets his readers. He was probably the half-brother of Jesus. There are two other Judes mentioned in the New Testament. The word “you” in this letter refers to the Christians to whom Jude was writing and is always plural. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-you]]) JUD 1 1 npc3 translate-names Ἰούδας 1 Jude **Jude** is the brother of James. Alternate translation: “I am Jude” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) JUD 1 1 m3v1 ἀδελφὸς…Ἰακώβου 1 brother of James **James** and Jude were half brothers of Jesus. Joseph as their physical father, but he was not the physical father or Jesus. JUD 1 2 r5ae figs-abstractnouns ἔλεος ὑμῖν, καὶ εἰρήνη, καὶ ἀγάπη πληθυνθείη 1 May mercy and peace and love be multiplied to you This can be restated to remove the abstract nouns **mercy**, **peace**, and **love**. Alternate translation: “May God continue to be merciful to you so that you live peacefully and love one another more and more” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]]) JUD 1 2 q2qo figs-metaphor ὑμῖν…πληθυνθείη 1 May … be multiplied to you These ideas are spoken of as if they were objects that could grow in size or number. Alternate translation: “May … be increased many times for you” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) JUD 1 3 kjk6 figs-exclusive 0 General Information: The word “our” in this letter includes both Jude and believers. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive]]) JUD 1 3 yfa8 0 Connecting Statement: Jude tells the believers his reason for writing this letter. JUD 1 3 mi3w τῆς κοινῆς ἡμῶν σωτηρίας 1 our common salvation “the salvation we share” JUD 1 3 si1u ἀνάγκην ἔσχον γράψαι 1 I had a compulsion to write “I felt a great need to write” or “I felt an urgent need to write” JUD 1 3 yyf4 παρακαλῶν ἐπαγωνίζεσθαι τῇ…πίστει 1 exhorting you to struggle earnestly for the faith “encouraging you to defend the true teaching” JUD 1 3 j67u ἅπαξ 1 once for all “finally and completely” JUD 1 4 v94i παρεισέδυσαν γάρ τινες ἄνθρωποι 1 For certain men have entered secretly “For some men have come in without drawing attention to themselves” JUD 1 4 wwz3 figs-activepassive οἱ πάλαι προγεγραμμένοι εἰς τοῦτο τὸ κρίμα 1 who long ago have been designated beforehand for this condemnation This can also be put into the active voice. Alternate translation: “men whom God long ago decided to condemn” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]]) JUD 1 4 c642 figs-metaphor τὴν τοῦ Θεοῦ ἡμῶν χάριτα μετατιθέντες εἰς ἀσέλγειαν 1 changing the grace of our God into sensuality God’s **grace** is spoken of as if it were a thing that could be changed into something horrible. Alternate translation: “teaching that God’s grace permits one to continue to live in sexual sin” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) JUD 1 4 ws1b τὸν μόνον Δεσπότην καὶ Κύριον ἡμῶν, Ἰησοῦν Χριστὸν, ἀρνούμενοι 1 denying our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ This could mean: (1) YTey teach that Jesus is not God. (2) These men do not obey Jesus Christ. JUD 1 5 fa5e 0 Connecting Statement: Jude gives examples from the past of those who did not follow the Lord. JUD 1 5 f4mm figs-explicit Ἰησοῦς λαὸν ἐκ γῆς Αἰγύπτου σώσας 1 Jesus, having saved a people out of the land of Egypt You can state explicitly who the people were that he saved. Alternate translation: “the Lord, who rescued the Israelites long ago from Egypt” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) JUD 1 6 pt1k τὴν ἑαυτῶν ἀρχὴν 1 their own domain “their own position of authority” or “the responsibilities God entrusted to them” JUD 1 6 s3cn δεσμοῖς ἀϊδίοις ὑπὸ ζόφον τετήρηκεν 1 he has kept in everlasting chains, under thick darkness “God has put these angels in a dark prison from which they will never escape” JUD 1 6 s1j9 figs-metonymy ὑπὸ ζόφον 1 under thick darkness Here, **darkness** is a metonym which represents the place of the dead or hell. Alternate translation: “in utter darkness in hell” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) JUD 1 6 ccz6 μεγάλης ἡμέρας 1 of the great day the final day when God will judge everyone JUD 1 7 yn36 figs-metonymy αἱ περὶ αὐτὰς πόλεις 1 the cities around them Here, **cities** stands for the people who lived in them. Alternate translation: “the people in that region” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) JUD 1 7 r3e9 τὸν ὅμοιον τρόπον τούτοις ἐκπορνεύσασαι 1 having committed sexual immorality in the same manner as these The sexual sins of Sodom and Gomorrah were the result of the same kind of rebellion as the angels’ evil ways. JUD 1 7 pi4t δεῖγμα…δίκην ὑπέχουσαι 1 as an example, suffering the punishment The destruction of the people of Sodom and Gomorrah became an example of the fate of all who reject God. JUD 1 8 ujs2 οὗτοι ἐνυπνιαζόμενοι 1 these dreamers the people who disobey God, probably because they claimed to see visions that gave them authority to do so JUD 1 8 ez4l figs-metaphor σάρκα μὲν μιαίνουσιν 1 defiling the flesh This metaphor says that their sin makes their **flesh**—that is, their actions—unacceptable the way garbage in a stream makes the water undrinkable. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) JUD 1 8 e73k βλασφημοῦσιν 1 blaspheming “speak insults” JUD 1 8 pn3j δόξας 1 the glorious ones This refers to spiritual beings, such as angels. JUD 1 9 rmg9 0 General Information: Balaam was a prophet who refused to curse Israel for an enemy but then taught that enemy to get the people to marry unbelievers and become idol worshipers. Korah was a man of Israel who rebelled against Moses’ leadership and Aaron’s priesthood. JUD 1 9 uzj1 οὐκ ἐτόλμησεν…ἐπενεγκεῖν 1 did not dare to bring … against him “controlled himself. He did not bring … against him” or “was not willing to bring … against him” JUD 1 9 v9fh κρίσιν ἐπενεγκεῖν βλασφημίας 1 to bring a slanderous judgment against him “to say evil, untrue things about him” JUD 1 9 kib4 κρίσιν…βλασφημίας 1 a slanderous judgment “an evil-speaking judgment” or “an evil judgment” JUD 1 10 h6sq οὗτοι 1 these people the ungodly people JUD 1 10 fjm5 ὅσα μὲν οὐκ οἴδασιν 1 what they do not understand This could mean: (1) This refers to everything good that they do not understand. (2) This refers to the glorious ones, which they do not understand ([Jude 1:8](../01/08.md)). JUD 1 11 j3g9 figs-metaphor τῇ ὁδῷ τοῦ Κάϊν ἐπορεύθησαν 1 they have gone in the way of Cain Here, **gone in the way** is a metaphor for “lived in the same way as.” Alternate translation: “they have lived the same way Cain lived” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) JUD 1 12 s4az 0 Connecting Statement: Jude uses a series of metaphors to describe the ungodly men. He tells the believers how to recognize these men when they are among them. JUD 1 12 r875 οὗτοί εἰσιν 1 These are The word **These** refers to the “ungodly men” of [Jude 1:4](../01/04.md). JUD 1 12 e25d figs-metaphor σπιλάδες 1 hidden reefs **Reefs** are large rocks that are very close to the surface of water in the sea. Because sailors cannot see them, they are very dangerous. Ships can easily be destroyed if they hit these rocks. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) JUD 1 12 zk57 figs-metaphor δὶς ἀποθανόντα ἐκριζωθέντα 1 twice dead, having been torn up by the roots A tree that someone has uprooted is a metaphor for death. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) JUD 1 12 t28p figs-metaphor ἐκριζωθέντα 1 having been torn up by the roots Like trees that have been completely pulled out of the ground by their roots, the ungodly people have been separated from God, who is the source of life. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) JUD 1 13 e4rm figs-metaphor κύματα ἄγρια θαλάσσης 1 violent waves of the sea As the **waves of the sea** are blown by a strong wind, so the ungodly people are easily moved in many directions. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) JUD 1 13 fgr9 figs-metaphor ἐπαφρίζοντα τὰς ἑαυτῶν αἰσχύνας 1 foaming out their own shameful deeds As wind causes wild waves to stir up dirty foam—so these men, through their false teaching and actions, shame themselves. Alternate translation: “and just as waves bring up foam and dirt, these men pollute others with their shame” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) JUD 1 13 r6rj figs-metaphor ἀστέρες πλανῆται 1 wandering stars Those who studied the **stars** in ancient times noticed that what we call planets do not move the way that stars do. Alternate translation: “like moving stars” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) JUD 1 13 djm4 figs-activepassive οἷς ὁ ζόφος τοῦ σκότους εἰς αἰῶνα τετήρηται 1 for whom the gloom of thick darkness has been reserved forever You can state the phrase **has been reserved** in active form. Alternate translation: “and God will put them in the gloom and darkness forever” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]]) JUD 1 13 oey6 figs-metonymy ὁ ζόφος τοῦ σκότους 1 the gloom of thick darkness Here, **darkness** is a metonym that represents the place of the dead or hell. Alternate translation: “the gloom and darkness of hell” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) JUD 1 13 bgza figs-idiom τοῦ σκότους 1 of thick darkness Here, **thick darkness** is an idiom that means “very dark.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) JUD 1 14 e5wv ἕβδομος ἀπὸ Ἀδὰμ 1 the seventh from Adam If **Adam** is counted as the first generation of mankind, Enoch is the seventh. If Adam’s son is counted as the first, Enoch is sixth in line. JUD 1 14 lu2y ἰδοὺ 1 Behold “Listen” or “Pay attention to this important thing I am going to say” JUD 1 15 bl4q ποιῆσαι κρίσιν κατὰ 1 to execute judgment on “to make judgment on” or “to judge” JUD 1 16 zs28 γογγυσταί μεμψίμοιροι 1 grumblers, complainers People who do not want to obey and speak against godly authority. **Grumblers** tend to speak quietly, while **complainers** speak openly. JUD 1 16 xuf0 figs-metonymy τὸ στόμα αὐτῶν λαλεῖ 1 their mouth speaks Here, **mouth** represents the person who is speaking. Alternate translation: “they speak” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) JUD 1 16 eaf2 λαλεῖ ὑπέρογκα 1 speaks boastful things These people praise themselves so that others can hear. JUD 1 16 j8rh figs-metonymy θαυμάζοντες πρόσωπα 1 flattering faces Here, **faces** refers to the people they are flattering. Alternate translation: “give false praise to others” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) JUD 1 18 w1mx figs-metaphor κατὰ τὰς ἑαυτῶν ἐπιθυμίας πορευόμενοι τῶν ἀσεβειῶν 1 going according to their own ungodly lusts These people are spoken of as if their desires were kings who ruled over them. Alternate translation: “are never able to stop dishonoring God by doing the evil things they wish to do” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) JUD 1 18 j5m4 figs-metaphor κατὰ τὰς ἑαυτῶν ἐπιθυμίας πορευόμενοι τῶν ἀσεβειῶν 1 going according to their own ungodly lusts **Ungodly lusts** are spoken of as if they were a path that a person will follow. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) JUD 1 19 r28j οὗτοί εἰσιν 1 These are “It is these mockers” or “These mockers are the ones” JUD 1 19 ba6u figs-metaphor ψυχικοί 1 natural-minded These people think as other ungodly people think, they value the things that unbelievers value. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) JUD 1 19 qn4p Πνεῦμα μὴ ἔχοντες 1 not having the Spirit The Holy **Spirit** is spoken of as if he were something that people can possess. Alternate translation: “the Spirit is not within them” JUD 1 20 e3ga 0 Connecting Statement: Jude tells the believers how they should live and how they should treat others. JUD 1 20 xm93 ὑμεῖς δέ, ἀγαπητοί 1 But you, beloved “Do not be like them, beloved. Instead” JUD 1 20 cc68 figs-metaphor ἐποικοδομοῦντες ἑαυτοὺς 1 building yourselves up Becoming increasingly able to trust in God and obey him is spoken of as if it were the process of constructing a building. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) JUD 1 21 zd2c figs-metaphor ἑαυτοὺς ἐν ἀγάπῃ Θεοῦ τηρήσατε 1 keep yourselves in the love of God Remaining able to receive the **love of God** is spoken of as if one were keeping oneself in a certain place. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) JUD 1 21 s6w6 προσδεχόμενοι 1 waiting for “eagerly looking forward to” JUD 1 21 p3bw figs-metonymy τὸ ἔλεος τοῦ Κυρίου ἡμῶν, Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, εἰς ζωὴν αἰώνιον 1 the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life Here, **mercy** stands for Jesus Christ himself, who will show his mercy to the believers by making them live forever with him. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) JUD 1 22 wbr5 οὓς…διακρινομένους 1 those who are doubting “those who do not yet believe that Jesus is God” JUD 1 23 wkj9 figs-metaphor ἐκ πυρὸς ἁρπάζοντες 1 snatching them out of the fire The picture is that of pulling people from a **fire** before they start to burn. Alternate translation: “doing for them whatever needs to be done to keep them from dying without Christ. This is like pulling them from the fire” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) JUD 1 23 ign7 οὓς…ἐλεᾶτε ἐν φόβῳ 2 have mercy on others with fear “be kind to others, but be afraid of sinning the way they did” JUD 1 23 u4px figs-hyperbole μισοῦντες καὶ τὸν ἀπὸ τῆς σαρκὸς ἐσπιλωμένον χιτῶνα 1 hating even the garment defiled by the flesh Jude exaggerates to warn his readers that they can become like those sinners. Alternate translation: “Treat them as though you could become guilty of sin just by touching their clothes” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole]]) JUD 1 24 r3jx 0 Connecting Statement: Jude closes with a blessing. JUD 1 24 w1dc figs-metaphor στῆσαι κατενώπιον τῆς δόξης αὐτοῦ 1 to cause you to stand before his glory His **glory** is brilliant light that represents his greatness. Alternate translation: “to allow you to enjoy and worship his glory” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) JUD 1 24 gq9e figs-metaphor τῆς δόξης αὐτοῦ ἀμώμους ἐν 1 glorious presence without blemish and with Here sin is spoken of as if it were dirt on one’s body or a flaw on one’s body. Alternate translation: “his glorious presence, where you will be without sin and have” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) JUD 1 25 a3ua μόνῳ Θεῷ Σωτῆρι ἡμῶν, διὰ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ τοῦ Κυρίου ἡμῶν 1 to the only God our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord “to the only God, who saved us because of what Jesus Christ did.” This emphasizes that God the Father as well as the Son is the Savior. JUD 1 25 kql5 δόξα, μεγαλωσύνη, κράτος, καὶ ἐξουσία, πρὸ παντὸς τοῦ αἰῶνος, καὶ νῦν, καὶ εἰς πάντας τοὺς αἰῶνας 1 be glory, majesty, dominion, and power, before all the age, both now and for all the ages God has always had, now has, and always will have glory, absolute leadership, and complete control of all things.