Jude

The epistle of Jude.

This short epistle is very much concerned with angels, authorities, and teachers.

1. False Teachers

5: What does it mean that Jesus saved a people out of the land of Egypt?

Jude is attributing the Exodus to the work of Jesus, even though the Exodus happened about 1500 years before his birth.

Theologically, it could mean that Jesus as the Son of God was the one who brought the Israelites out of captivity.

Allegorically, it could mean Jesus has saved all sinners out of captivity to the tyranny of sin and the evil kingdoms of the world.

Either way, we must remember that Jesus destroys those who do not believe. Let that be a remedy to people who think Jesus is all about niceness.

6 & 7: What?

Differences of interpretation on these verses:

This may be a reference to Zechariah 3, where the angel of the Lord says 'the LORD rebuke you, O Satan!' Now this is connected to Satan accusing Joshua the high priest. But the Angel of the Lord takes away the filthy garments of iniquity. Now this isn't random; this refers to the day of atonement, where the garments of the high priest are traded off and the sins of the people are cleansed. So the body of Moses is Israel, and Satan is accusing them. So we ought to be careful when we speak of angels, authorities, and teachers.

8:

It is bad to blaspheme the glorious ones -- angels and those who are in authority. Even when they are doing what they shouldn't be doing.

10:

What does this mean?

11:

Balaam's error?

Korah's rebellion?

12-13:

Some of the most poetic lines in scripture.

There are many people at church, even among the pastors, who are not actually very faithful in their hearts.

Christians are sometimes too quick to trust, and then too quick to get angry when their trust has been broken. Instead, we should put our faith in God and work patiently in love alongside people who we know may some day fail and sin.

The practice of love feast:

What do you think? Should Christians hold more love feasts today?

18-21:

Christians do not stir up division, do not follow ungodly passions, and do not scoff.

It is very tempting in our time to scoff because there are many foolish people doing foolish things. But we need to be careful that we don't accidentally scoff at the people who God has appointed to lead or give judgment -- either in a personal situation or on the grand scale. We need to focus on faith and love.

22-23:

This is a good prayer and one Christians should pray more often.

Have mercy on us who doubt and snatch us out of the fire, Lord!

What does it mean 'to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.' ?