Quizzing the New Testament : Jude

Answer: Jesus

Jude makes no such claim for himself but it is known that Jesus had a brother called Judas (Mark 6 v. 3). Furthermore, another of Jesus' brothers named James was one of the early leaders of the church in Jerusalem. At this time, it was common practice to clarify a person's identity by reference to their father but here Jude does it through his brother.

This has led to the assumption that Jude's brother must have been very well known at the time he was writing and James, the brother of Jesus, is the only person to fit the bill.

Answer: Immorality

"They are godless men, who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord." (Jude v. 4)

This was a problem that Paul also faced in his letters. It stems from the assertion that being put right with God is entirely by faith and not by works. Paul's opponents levelled the charge against him that this meant that a Christian could do whatever they liked and still get to Heaven. Worse still, he had to counter some in the early church who really did believe that this was true. Jude is warning against just this kind of belief. Paul addresses the point with these words to the church in Rome:
"What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?" (Romans 6 v. 1-2)

Answer: Midrash

The purpose of this midrash is to support Jude's warning about immoral infiltrators by reference to scripture. He does this in four sections, each of which is followed by commentary on the contemporary situation. Section 1 (v. 5-7) details the Exodus, fallen angels and Sodom and Gomorrah. Section 2 (v. 11) details the story of Cain and Abel, Balaam and Korah's rebellion against Moses. Section 3 (v. 14-15) recounts a prophecy from the apocryphal book of 1 Enoch which, although familiar to first century Jews, is not found in the Old Testament as we know it. Finally, section 4 (v. 17-18) is interesting in that Jude uses an early Christian prophecy and treats it as though it were scripture.

Answer: The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah

"In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire." (Jude v. 7)

He also quotes a story from Jewish tradition about the archangel Michael disputing with the devil over the body of Moses.

Answer: Love feasts

The love feast or agape feast appears to have been a communal meal that accompanied the Lord's Supper and it is to this meal that Paul refers in 1 Corinthians 11. Several churches, including the Moravians and early Methodists, have resurrected the practice through the centuries, although usually as an alternative to the Eucharist.

Answer: Enoch

"When Enoch had lived 65 years, he became the father of Methuselah. And after he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked with God 300 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Enoch lived 365 years. Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away." (Genesis 5 v. 21-24)

The record of Enoch's life is contained in these short verses from Genesis. His name is little known among Christians today but would have been far more prominent at the time Jude was writing. The words "walked with God" and "took him away" were taken to indicate his exemplary righteousness (in a corrupt age) and that he did not die naturally but, like Elijah, was transported into Heaven. It is perhaps not surprising, therefore, that Enoch has a significant position in first century apocalyptic thought.

This tradition about Enoch is also reflected in Hebrews, his only other reference in the New Testament:
"By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God." (Hebrews 11 v. 5)

Jude's quote in verses 14 and 15 is taken from the apocryphal book of Enoch.

Answer: The apostles

Peter uses virtually the same words in one of his letters describing them as "a command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles": "First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires" (2 Peter 3 v. 3).

It is not clear, though, whether Jude is drawing from this source or whether both are quoting an existing saying.

Answer: Worship in the temple

"But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life." (Jude v. 20-21)

Again, Jude's priority is to keep his readers in a right relationship with God as they await the second coming of Jesus.

Answer: Hate even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.

"Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear - hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh." (Jude v. 22-23)

Jude may be referring back to one of two possible Old Testament passages. Leviticus 13 speaks of clothing stained with mildew that must be destroyed by fire. It is more likely, though, that Jude is drawing upon the book of Zechariah. There, God refers to the High Priest, Joshua, as "a burning stick snatched from the fire" and orders him to remove his filthy clothes with the words, "See, I have taken away your sin, and I will put rich garments on you" (Zechariah 3 v. 4).

Answer: Falling

"To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy - to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen." (Jude v. 24-25)

This passage has appeared in many church liturgies, usually as a benediction. In Jude's hands, though, these are not mere words of blessing. He really does want to keep his readers from falling - to maintain their faith and avoid the pitfalls that have appeared in their midst.