The book of Jude was written to warn believers about false teachers who had crept into the church unawares and to exhort them to earnestly contend for the faith.
Jude had originally intended to write about the common salvation, but the Holy Spirit instead directed him to address the danger of false teachers (Clip 4). He warns that ungodly men have crept in unawares, turning the grace of God into lasciviousness and denying the Lord Jesus Christ (Clip 1). These deceptive teachers speak evil of what they do not know, so believers are called to earnestly contend for the faith once delivered to the saints (Clips 3, 5).
Jude 3 — Jude's own statement of purpose: he was compelled to exhort believers to earnestly contend for the faith rather than write about the common salvation.
Jude 4 — The immediate occasion for the letter: certain ungodly men had crept in unawares, turning grace into lasciviousness and denying the Lord Jesus Christ.
Jude explains that he had planned to write about 'the common salvation,' but says, 'it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints' (Jude 3). He immediately gives the reason: 'For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ' (Jude 4). The epistle goes on to describe these false teachers. Verse 8 says they 'defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.' Verse 10 says, 'But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.' Jude also points to the angels 'which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation' as an example of those who rebel against God's sovereignty (Jude 6).
Les Feldick explains that Jude is almost a carbon copy of 2 Peter — both letters deal with false teachers and warn that they will come on the scene in the last days (Clips 4, 7). Jude, Les notes, had evidently intended to write a little letter about the common salvation, but the Holy Spirit 'forbade him to do that' and instead directed him to exhort believers to earnestly contend for the faith (Clips 3, 4). According to Les, Jude is 'as good a description as you can find anywhere in Scripture' of how false teachers operate (Clip 2). They 'creep in unawares' into local churches and denominations, so deceptively that the average church member does not know what they are doing (Clips 1, 3). They turn the grace of God into lasciviousness, deny the Lord Jesus Christ, and speak evil of the things they do not know — ridiculing the truth of Scripture even though they have never studied it (Clips 1, 5). Les emphasizes that the whole idea of the little book of Jude is to warn us to beware of these false teachers (Clip 6). For the believer, the response is to earnestly contend for the faith — taking a stand for what the Word of God says without being obnoxious (Clip 3). Les also connects this to spiritual discernment: the believer who has been regenerated by believing the Gospel can discern what he hears and compare it with Scripture, sifting out the 'rubbish' of false teaching that confuses so many church members today (Clips 0, 7).
Jude writes that he had 'given all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation' (Jude 3). Les explains that Jude had apparently intended to write just a little letter concerning the plan of salvation, but the Holy Spirit forbade him to do that (Clip 4). The purpose of the letter was changed: instead, Jude was compelled to exhort his readers to earnestly contend for the faith once delivered to the saints (Clip 3).
Jude's stated reason for writing is that 'certain men crept in unawares' — ungodly men who turn the grace of God into lasciviousness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ (Jude 4). Les stresses that these men are so deceptive that the average church member just doesn't know what they are doing; they can come into a local church or even a denomination (Clips 1, 3). They hawk an 'adulterated product,' corrupting the Word of God instead of bringing the real thing (Clip 2).
Les points out that 2 Peter chapter 2 — and the little book of Jude alongside it — deals with false teachers and warns that they will come on the scene in the last days. He says we are seeing them today, coming from every direction in every hue and color, and the average believer is totally confused, not knowing what is right and what is wrong (Clip 7). The safeguard, Les teaches, is the spiritual discernment that belongs to the believer who has been regenerated by believing the Gospel — he can discern what he hears and compare it with Scripture (Clips 0, 7).
Jude commands believers to 'earnestly contend for the faith.' Les explains that this means taking a stand on what the Bible teaches and helping people see that it is the truth of the Word of God — not being obnoxious or forcing the Bible down anyone's throat (Clip 3). Jude also describes false teachers as 'filthy dreamers' who 'speak evil of those things which they know not,' and Les's application is that we should recognize this pattern and beware of them (Clips 5, 6; Jude 8, 10).
Spiritual Discernment for the Regenerate Believer
Les teaches that the believer regenerated through the Gospel can discern what he hears and compare it with Scripture — the safeguard Jude's warning is meant to build.
False Teachers Who Crept In Unawares
Les reads Jude's description of ungodly men who crept into the church unawares, turning grace into lasciviousness and denying the Lord — the reason Jude was written.
Jude's Description of False Teachers
Les says Jude is as good a description as any in Scripture of false teachers — the kind of people who hawk an adulterated product instead of the real Word.
Contending for the Faith
Les explains Jude's stated purpose: believers must earnestly contend for the one true faith, taking a stand for the Word of God without being obnoxious.
The Holy Spirit's Direction
Les notes Jude planned to write about the common salvation but the Holy Spirit forbade it, directing him instead to warn about false teachers — explaining why Jude has the content it does.
Speaking Evil of What They Know Not
Les shows that Jude describes false teachers ridiculing the truth of Scripture even though they have never studied it.
The Whole Idea of Jude
Les says the whole idea of Jude is to beware of false teachers, using the angels who kept not their first estate as an example of rebellion against God.
False Teachers in the Last Days
Les teaches that Jude and 2 Peter 2 warn of false teachers coming on the scene in the last days — and average believers today are confused without discernment.
Jude 3: Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
Jude states the purpose of his letter: to exhort believers to earnestly contend for the faith rather than merely write about the common salvation.
Jude 4: For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
Jude gives the reason for his letter: ungodly men have crept in unawares, denying the Lord and corrupting the grace of God.
Jude 6: And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.
Jude cites the fallen angels as an example of judgment, part of his warning against those who rebel against God's authority.
Jude 8: Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.
Jude describes the false teachers as filthy dreamers who defile the flesh and despise dominion.
Jude 10: But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.
Jude says the false teachers speak evil of what they do not know — a hallmark of their deceptive teaching.
1 Corinthians 2:15: But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
Paul says the spiritual man discerns all things — the basis for Les's point that regenerate believers can sift false teaching.
2 Corinthians 2:17: For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.
Paul contrasts true ministers with those who corrupt the Word of God — parallel to the false teachers Jude warns about.
Jude says he had planned to write about 'the common salvation,' but found it necessary to exhort believers to earnestly contend for the faith (Jude 3). Les explains that the Holy Spirit forbade the salvation letter and directed Jude to warn believers about false teachers (Clip 4).
Jude says certain men had crept in unawares — ungodly men turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness and denying the Lord Jesus Christ (Jude 4). Les adds that these false teachers are so deceptive that the average church member doesn't know what they are doing (Clips 1, 3).
Jude's command is to earnestly contend for the faith that was once delivered to the saints (Jude 3). Les says this means taking a stand for the truth of God's Word, not being obnoxious, and that the whole idea of Jude is to beware of false teachers (Clips 3, 6).
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