American King James Version - AKJV - 1999
Jude 1
1
Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called:
Reference
Holy
1 Peter 2:9
2 Timothy 1:9
Hebrews 3:1
Parallel theme
John 14:22
John 17:15
Romans 8:30
References God
1 Peter 1:5
References Jesus
1 Thessalonians 5:23
Romans 1:1
2 Peter 1:1
3
Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write to you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write to you, and exhort you that you should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered to the saints.
Reference
Faith
1 Timothy 6:12
Philippians 1:27
Jude 1:20
Revelation 2:10
2 Timothy 1:13
Love
Revelation 12:11
Parallel theme
1 Timothy 1:18
Galatians 2:5
Hebrews 13:22
Salvation
Titus 1:4
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.
Reference
Parallel theme
2 Peter 2:10
1 Peter 2:8
2 Timothy 3:6
Galatians 5:13
Psalm 62:2
References God
1 Peter 2:16
2 Peter 3:7
Psalm 1:1
References Jesus
Galatians 2:4
1 John 2:22
5
I will therefore put you in remembrance, though you once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.
Reference
Parallel theme
Psalm 106:26
6
And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness to the judgment of the great day.
Reference
Darkness
Ephesians 6:12
Eternal Life
Matthew 25:41
Judgment
2 Peter 2:4
2 Peter 2:9
Hebrews 10:27
Parallel theme
Matthew 8:29
John 8:44
Revelation 20:10
7
Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.
Reference
Eternal Life
Matthew 25:41
Parallel theme
Deuteronomy 29:23
2 Peter 2:6
Genesis 13:13
Genesis 18:20
Luke 17:29
Jeremiah 50:40
1 Corinthians 6:9
Isaiah 1:9
Amos 4:11
8
Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.
Reference
Evil
Acts 23:5
Exodus 22:28
Parallel theme
Hebrews 13:17
1 Timothy 1:10
1 Peter 2:17
Ecclesiastes 10:20
1 Corinthians 3:17
9
Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke you.
Reference
Evil
1 Peter 3:9
Parallel theme
Revelation 12:7
Deuteronomy 34:6
Daniel 12:1
Daniel 10:21
Daniel 10:13
Mark 15:29
References Lord
Zechariah 3:2
2 Peter 2:11
1 Thessalonians 4:16
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.
Reference
Evil
2 Peter 2:12
11
Woe to them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.
Reference
12
These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit wither, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;
Reference
13
Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.
Reference
14
And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of his saints,
Reference
Holy
Deuteronomy 33:2
1 Thessalonians 3:13
Matthew 25:31
Zechariah 14:5
Parallel theme
Matthew 16:27
Genesis 5:18
Revelation 1:7
15
To execute judgment on all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.
Reference
16
These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaks great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage.
Reference
Kingdom
2 Peter 3:3
Parallel theme
2 Peter 2:10
Philippians 2:14
1 Corinthians 10:10
1 Timothy 6:5
1 Peter 4:2
1 Peter 2:11
Jude 1:18
Psalm 15:4
Word
2 Peter 2:18
17
But, beloved, remember you the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;
Reference
18
How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.
Reference
19
These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.
Reference
Parallel theme
James 3:15
Hebrews 10:25
Proverbs 18:1
Hosea 9:10
Ezekiel 14:7
Hosea 4:14
Spirit
1 Corinthians 2:14
Romans 8:9
20
But you, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
Reference
Faith
Colossians 2:7
Acts 26:18
Holy
Ephesians 6:18
Love
Ephesians 4:16
Parallel theme
1 Thessalonians 5:11
1 Corinthians 14:26
Ephesians 4:29
Spirit
1 Corinthians 14:15
Romans 8:15
Galatians 4:6
21
Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.
Reference
Eternal Life
Romans 6:23
Kingdom
2 Peter 3:12
Love
1 John 4:16
2 Thessalonians 3:5
Revelation 12:11
John 14:21
Romans 8:39
Romans 5:5
2 Timothy 4:8
References Christ
Hebrews 9:28
23
And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
Reference
24
Now to him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
Reference
25
To the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
Reference
Glory
1 Timothy 1:17
Romans 11:36
Revelation 1:6
Romans 16:27
Parallel theme
Psalm 147:5
Hebrews 13:8
Daniel 4:37
References God
John 5:44
Salvation
Isaiah 12:2
Titus 2:13
Summary of Jude 1
Jude urgently warns Christians about false teachers who secretly enter the church, distort God's grace into permission for immoral living, reject Christ's authority, divide believers, pursue selfish desires, and face certain judgment, while calling faithful Christians to defend the apostolic faith, remember God's past judgments, remain spiritually strong through faith and prayer, stay within God's love, show mercy to those who doubt, rescue people from spiritual danger, and trust God to preserve His people until they stand joyfully before His glory.
Jude begins by identifying himself as a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James, addressing believers who have been called, loved by God, and kept by Jesus Christ.
Although Jude originally intended to write about their shared salvation, the situation among his readers required a more urgent message.
He therefore urges them to contend for the faith that was delivered to God's people.
The reason for this urgency is the presence of people who have secretly entered the Christian community and are distorting God's grace.
These false teachers appear to use God's forgiveness as an excuse for immoral behavior while also denying the authority of Jesus Christ.
Jude makes clear that grace does not remove the responsibility to live faithfully.
He then gives several historical and biblical examples demonstrating that God's patience does not mean that rebellion will escape judgment.
Israel was rescued from Egypt but later experienced judgment because of unbelief.
Jude also refers to rebellious angels and to Sodom and Gomorrah as examples of creatures or people who rejected God's boundaries and consequently faced judgment.
The examples serve as warnings that receiving God's blessings does not provide permission to deliberately reject His authority.
Jude then describes the false teachers as arrogant, immoral, and spiritually reckless.
They defile themselves, reject legitimate authority, and speak arrogantly about spiritual matters they do not understand.
Jude contrasts their behavior with the example of Michael the archangel, who, even while disputing with the devil, did not pronounce an arrogant judgment but left judgment to the Lord.
Jude then compares the false teachers with Cain, Balaam, and Korah.
Cain represents hatred and violence, Balaam represents greed and corrupt spiritual influence, and Korah represents rebellion against God-appointed authority.
Together these examples portray false teachers as people whose spiritual corruption affects both their beliefs and behavior.
Jude uses a series of powerful images to describe them as selfish shepherds, clouds without rain, fruitless trees, wild waves, and wandering stars.
Each image communicates the same basic idea: these people may appear impressive or promising, but they ultimately provide no genuine spiritual nourishment.
They are focused on themselves rather than caring for God's people.
Jude then refers to a prophecy associated with Enoch, describing the Lord coming with His holy ones to judge ungodliness.
The point is that God's judgment will eventually expose every form of rebellion, including corrupt actions, arrogant words, selfish motives, and hidden wrongdoing.
Jude then reminds his readers that the apostles had already warned them that scoffers and ungodly people would appear in the last times.
The existence of false teachers should therefore not surprise Christians because apostolic teaching had already prepared them for such opposition.
These divisive people are described as following worldly desires and lacking the Holy Spirit.
In contrast, faithful Christians are instructed to build themselves up in their faith, pray through the Holy Spirit, remain in God's love, and wait for the mercy of Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.
Jude then provides practical instructions for dealing with people who are struggling spiritually.
Believers should show mercy to those who doubt, helping rather than condemning people who are genuinely uncertain.
Others may require more urgent intervention, and Christians should attempt to rescue them from spiritual danger while remaining careful not to become involved in the sinful practices from which they are being rescued.
The letter concludes not by focusing on the power of false teachers but on the greater power of God.
God is able to keep His people from falling and to present them blameless before His glorious presence with great joy.
Jude therefore ends with worship, declaring God's eternal authority, wisdom, power, and glory through Jesus Christ.
The central message of Jude is that Christians must firmly defend the faith against false teachers who misuse God's grace, reject Christ's authority, encourage immoral living, and divide God's people, while remembering that Scripture repeatedly demonstrates God's judgment against persistent rebellion, strengthening themselves through faith and prayer, remaining in God's love, showing wise mercy toward those who doubt, rescuing people from spiritual danger without participating in their corruption, and trusting God to preserve His faithful people until they stand joyfully in His presence.
Jude begins by identifying himself as a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James, addressing believers who have been called, loved by God, and kept by Jesus Christ.
Although Jude originally intended to write about their shared salvation, the situation among his readers required a more urgent message.
He therefore urges them to contend for the faith that was delivered to God's people.
The reason for this urgency is the presence of people who have secretly entered the Christian community and are distorting God's grace.
These false teachers appear to use God's forgiveness as an excuse for immoral behavior while also denying the authority of Jesus Christ.
Jude makes clear that grace does not remove the responsibility to live faithfully.
He then gives several historical and biblical examples demonstrating that God's patience does not mean that rebellion will escape judgment.
Israel was rescued from Egypt but later experienced judgment because of unbelief.
Jude also refers to rebellious angels and to Sodom and Gomorrah as examples of creatures or people who rejected God's boundaries and consequently faced judgment.
The examples serve as warnings that receiving God's blessings does not provide permission to deliberately reject His authority.
Jude then describes the false teachers as arrogant, immoral, and spiritually reckless.
They defile themselves, reject legitimate authority, and speak arrogantly about spiritual matters they do not understand.
Jude contrasts their behavior with the example of Michael the archangel, who, even while disputing with the devil, did not pronounce an arrogant judgment but left judgment to the Lord.
Jude then compares the false teachers with Cain, Balaam, and Korah.
Cain represents hatred and violence, Balaam represents greed and corrupt spiritual influence, and Korah represents rebellion against God-appointed authority.
Together these examples portray false teachers as people whose spiritual corruption affects both their beliefs and behavior.
Jude uses a series of powerful images to describe them as selfish shepherds, clouds without rain, fruitless trees, wild waves, and wandering stars.
Each image communicates the same basic idea: these people may appear impressive or promising, but they ultimately provide no genuine spiritual nourishment.
They are focused on themselves rather than caring for God's people.
Jude then refers to a prophecy associated with Enoch, describing the Lord coming with His holy ones to judge ungodliness.
The point is that God's judgment will eventually expose every form of rebellion, including corrupt actions, arrogant words, selfish motives, and hidden wrongdoing.
Jude then reminds his readers that the apostles had already warned them that scoffers and ungodly people would appear in the last times.
The existence of false teachers should therefore not surprise Christians because apostolic teaching had already prepared them for such opposition.
These divisive people are described as following worldly desires and lacking the Holy Spirit.
In contrast, faithful Christians are instructed to build themselves up in their faith, pray through the Holy Spirit, remain in God's love, and wait for the mercy of Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.
Jude then provides practical instructions for dealing with people who are struggling spiritually.
Believers should show mercy to those who doubt, helping rather than condemning people who are genuinely uncertain.
Others may require more urgent intervention, and Christians should attempt to rescue them from spiritual danger while remaining careful not to become involved in the sinful practices from which they are being rescued.
The letter concludes not by focusing on the power of false teachers but on the greater power of God.
God is able to keep His people from falling and to present them blameless before His glorious presence with great joy.
Jude therefore ends with worship, declaring God's eternal authority, wisdom, power, and glory through Jesus Christ.
The central message of Jude is that Christians must firmly defend the faith against false teachers who misuse God's grace, reject Christ's authority, encourage immoral living, and divide God's people, while remembering that Scripture repeatedly demonstrates God's judgment against persistent rebellion, strengthening themselves through faith and prayer, remaining in God's love, showing wise mercy toward those who doubt, rescuing people from spiritual danger without participating in their corruption, and trusting God to preserve His faithful people until they stand joyfully in His presence.