64 - Bible Commentary | Karuna Sadan

Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ (the Messiah), and brother of James, [writes this letter] to those who are called (chosen), dearly loved by God the Father and separated (set apart) and kept for Jesus Christ: (Jude 1:1)

This letter has been written to:

1. to those who are called (chosen)

2. dearly loved by God the Father

3. separated (set apart) and kept for Jesus Christ

There will be people who pervert the grace of God into lewdness (Jude 1:4)

The New Living Translation describes it very prophetically.

I say this because some ungodly people have wormed their way into your churches, saying that God’s marvelous grace allows us to live immoral lives. (Jude 1:4)

Genuine grace is not a license to sin; it is the power to live above the dominion of sin. Any grace teaching that compromises God’s holy standards is perverting the grace of God.

the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day (Jude 1:6)

In the pseudepigraphal book The Testament of Naphtali, 3.3.4–5 refers to sexual relations between the women of Sodom and these fallen angels, called “Watchers.” The Book of Jubilees makes mention of holy angels sent by God to punish the “Watchers.”

Second Enoch describes the people of Sodom as committing abominations such as paedophilia, sorcery, magic enchantments, and the worship of many gods. First Enoch 6–10 indicates there were two hundred of these “Watchers” who came to earth, lusting after the women of Sodom who had offspring (Nephilim) from their sexual relations with them. Both humanity and angels violated the boundaries God had set in place.

Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” (Jude 1:9)

Jude is quoting an apocryphal book that contained this account.

Origen, an early Christian scholar and theologian, mentions the book “The Assumption of Moses” that refers to this very account of the contest between Michael and the devil about the body of Moses.

satan wanted the body of Moses to be available to the people to tempt them into worshipping Moses' bones rather than God. In this way they would have cursed themselves. The Lord did not want this to happen and so sent His angel to hide the body of Moses His servant.

But you must remember, beloved, the predictions which were made by the apostles (the special messengers) of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One). (Jude 1:17)

Scripture commands us to remember prophetic predictions made in scripture as well as those by anointed men and women of God.

Benediction

Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling,

And to present you faultless

Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,

To God our Savior,

Who alone is wise,

Be glory and majesty,

Dominion and power,

Both now and forever.

Amen. (Jude 1:24-25)

Chapter 1