The author of this epistle identifies himself as a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James. Even though the intended purpose for writing this letter was to encourage the recipients about the salvation they had in common, it was promptly changed as Jude received discouraging reports that false teachings not only were being taught but welcomed by the congregation. Jude has strong words of warning and admonition for those espousing teachings that deny the grace of God and the deity of Christ. Most likely false teachers had infiltrated the church and Jude makes an appeal to remember what the apostles of Jesus Christ foretold. vs. 17.

Quick Facts: Author: Jude? Date: difficult to determine, a general date is between 60-90 AD. Purpose: to rebuke false teachers who are infiltrating the church and leading people astray.

Even though this is one of the shortest letters in the NT, it is also one who has caused a good deal of controversy. This is due to the fact that Jude quotes from extracanonical sources, namely 1 Enoch and possibly The Assumption of Moses. Many reasons have been brought forward about this matter, nevertheless, one must not loose sight of the main message of this letter: Jude is condemning false teachers and does so using all the resources he has available that would definitively make the teachings of Christ and the faith of the apostles (as preservers of these teachings) an ultimate authority.
After an opening formula (vv.1-2) the main body of the letter follows (vv. 3-23), bringing the letter to a close in verse 24 with a solemn doxology about the glory and faithfulness of Christ.

Within the main body of the letter, Jude provides three examples of those who dilute the message of God and reject Christ: 1. Israelites out of Egypt, 2. angels, and 3. people who lived in Sodom and Gomorrah. The false teachers that Jude is condemning are similar to them. Furthermore, Jude provides alludes to three consequences of what will happen to them: 1. the way of Cain, 2. Balaam’s error, and 3. Korah’s rebellion. All these considered by Jewish people as bad leaders who worked against God and paid a high price for it. The letters continues providing arguments for holding on to the teachings of Christ by praying, holding on to the faith, and continue living in the love and grace of God. This, with confidence, knowing that God is able to keep us from falling (vv 24).