OUTLINE OF THE BOOK OF JUDE
By
Dr. 0. Wilburn Swaim, Th.D.
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I. Jude, His Greeting and Purpose In Writing (Jude 1-4).
A. Jude identifies himself as the writer (1)
Brother of James; half-brother of Jesus.
B. His greeting (2)
C. His purpose for writing (3-4)
II. Warning Concerning False Teachers (Jude 5-16), Or, Jude's Exposure of...
A. False teachers will be judged and condemned (5).
Note two statements: Matthew 13:29,30a with Titus 1:11. In the world they are allowed to continue, but in the local church, must be removed.
1. Illustrated by the unbelieving Israelites (5)
They engaged in the sins of lust (Numbers 11; I Corinthians 1; Matthew 13; I Thessalonians; I Timothy; James 1: , 4: ; I Peter ; I John 2:15,16;
Idolatry (Exodus 32; image, illicit behavior)
fornication (Numbers 25; Romans 1:27; Corinthians 6:9; Galatians 5:19,21; Ephesians 4:19; 5:3; I Thessalonians 4:3)
Tempting [grumbling and complaining] (Exodus 15:24; Numbers; Deuteronomy 6: Corinthians 10;10; Philippians 2:14; Jude 16)
2. Illustrated by the fall of the rebellious angel (6)
Genesis 6; cast out by God, mingled with earthly women, sentenced to eternal darkness.
3. Illustrated by the history of Sodom and Gomorrah (7)
B. The chief sins of the false teachers(8)
1. They are filthy dreamers (8)
Sexual fantasies; claiming visions and dreams from God.
2. They defile the flesh (8)
Engage in immorality
3. They despise dominion(8)
Lordship of Christ; pastoral authority
4. They speak evil of dignitaries (8)
What according to verse 9 even the highest angel will not do--speak out against the excellence and glory of that which God has exalted.
C. The false teachers do not recognize any moral authority (9)
D. The false teachers lack spiritual insight (10)
I Corinthians 2:14
E. False teachers are illustrated by the Old Testament example of
1. Cain (11)
Ancient rabbis believed that Cain corrupted the whole of his generation. False teachers: do not believe God, love God, and shall be destroyed.
2. Balaam (11)
For reward. Led God's people into immorality and disobedience.
3. Core (11)
Proverbs 29:1; Acts 7:51; ”anitlogia,” to speak words against, contradiction, strife. They spoke against God's man, rejecting the authority of God. The rejection of and rebellion against God's authority.
F. False teachers are like:
Early church considered fellowship vital, and had such feasts. Spots are submerged rocks posing a danger to ships. Many believers were slaves and could bring no food to the feasts. The rich would make up the slack. Note the situation at Corinth. False teachers dirty the name of Christ, disturb the fellowship and divide the membership. As one might bring his food and feed only himself, so did the false teachers, spiritually. They only care about their own advantage. I John 1:3.
1. Clouds without water (12)
They bring no rain, but hide the sun.
2. Trees whose fruit withers (12).
(Note Matthew 7:15 and other bewares"). Provide attractiveness and beauty, in the flesh, but bear no lasting fruit.
3. Raging waves of the sea (13)
They activity stirs up a storm and the evil in them boils up in iniquitous froth. When the storm has calmed and the tide receded, only the debris and trash is left on the beach. The believer reaps no benefit from such a ministry. Luke 6:46; Romans 2:23, 24.
4. Wandering stars (13)
There is no direction or stability in such a false ministry. Shooting stars only flash across the sky, and then plunge into the oblivion of a super burn out, disappearing into an eternal abyss of darkness. So it is with false prophets (II Peter 2:15).
G. False teachers face inescapable judgment (14-15)
The Revelation 20:12; 22:12.
Jude quotes from the apocryphal book of Enoch. Two positions often proposed:
1. Jude regards the book equal with scripture, or
2. Jude (Jerome) is not inspired.
Neither is correct, but Jude merely quotes from a document containing a fact recognized as truth, even as Paul, in Titus 1:12 recognizes the true saying of a heathen poet.
H. False teachers lack character (16)
1. They murmur; are complainers (16)
The reason: Their kind of religion produces no peace inside (James 2:1). Employment, family, lifestyle, future security, etc. are all unsatisfactory to them. They have no assurance of God's watch-care and Provision. Proverbs 19:3; Lamentations 3:39; John 6:43;
I Corinthians 10:10; Philippians 2:14; 4:11; I Timothy 6:6.
2. They walk after their own lusts (16)
Not concerned with God's will, they only strive to accomplish what benefits them, i.e. livelihood, security, prestige and position. I Peter 2:11; II Peter 3:3
3. Their mouth speak great swelling words (16)
As it has been said, “An empty wagon makes the most noise.” Bold and loud words cover up the lack of inward reality, and hidden sins. They flatter to gain the favor of men, in lieu of simply proclaiming the truth. I Timothy 5:21; Proverbs 20:19; 28:23; 29:5; James 2:1-4.
III. Jude's Exhortations to Christians (Jude 17-23)
A. Remember the words of the apostles: (17-19) “There should be mockers in the last time” (I8)
Because they claim to be under grace and filled with the Holy Spirit, they feel they are not bound by the morality of former days. They walk after their own lust, in self-defined freedom. Five things:
1. The Prophets said they would come (18) I Corinthians 11:13-15; Galatians 1:6-9; Philippians 3:18, 19
2. They have not the Spirit (19). Not simply that they are not filled, they don't have Him.
3. They exalt themselves above others ("separate").
4. They mock the saints
5. They are sensual. They:
a. Are worldly minded
b. Believe that salvation comes through the flesh. not through repentance and holiness (Romans 12:1 ,2; I Corinthians 6:12-14)
B. The Christian's Duty (20-21)
1. Building up yourselves on your most holy faith (20) II Peter 3:15; II Timothy 2:15: I Peter 2:2, 3; Matthew 7:24, 27; Acts 17:11; Acts 20:32; II Timothy 3:16, 17
2. Praying in the Holy Ghost (20) Romans 8:26, 27; 15:30; Ephesians 1:15,16; 6:18; Colossians 4:2; I Thessalonians 5:17
3. Keep yourselves in the love of God (21) John 15:9
4. Looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ (21)
C. The Christian's Service (22-23)
1. And of some have compassion (22) Compassion toward those easily led astray through the lack of spiritual growth and maturity.
2. Others save with fear (23) Extract those who are already following the false teacher. Deal with them with a sense of alarm, as they may have gone too far.
3. Hating even the garment spotted by the flesh (23) Hate the system and the evil it works. Anything involving the flesh is displeasing to God (Luke 16:15).
IV. Jude's Conclusion (Jude 24-25)
A. Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling (24)
B. To the only wise God our Saviour (25)
Bibliography you may read:
Green, Michael, II Peter and Jude, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Eerdman's Publishing Co., 1968.
Wallace, David, The Wycliff Bible Commentary. Edited by Charles F. Pfeiffer and Everett F. Harrison. Produced for Moody Monthly by the Iverson Associates, New York, 1971.