Welcome dear readers! Here is the book of Jude summary by chapter which offers a quick glance through the book in the Bible. This letter, though brief, is powerful and packed with warnings and exhortations.
Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, pens this letter to warn against false teachers and to urge believers to contend for the faith.
This epistle is similar in content to 2 Peter.
(Also Read: The Book of 2 Peter Summary by Chapter)
The Book of Jude Summary by Chapter
Chapter 1 – A Call to Persevere; Warning Against False Teachers
Jude opens the letter by addressing those who are called, loved by God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ. He expresses his intention to write about their common salvation, but finds it necessary to urge them to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people.
Jude warns against certain individuals who have slipped in among them and who pervert the grace of God into a license for immorality. He gives historical examples, including the Israelites, angels, and Sodom and Gomorrah, to illustrate the judgment awaiting those who rebel against God.
He then describes the false teachers as ungodly, grumblers, and fault-finders who follow their own evil desires. Jude encourages the believers to build themselves up in the holy faith, keep themselves in God’s love, and wait for the mercy of Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. He concludes with a doxology, praising God who is able to keep them from stumbling.
Jude’s Letter in a Unique Way
a letter written by Jude, who was like a big brother looking out for his family. Jude wanted to talk about the great bond everyone shares because they believe in God and Jesus, but he realized there was a more urgent matter.
He was like, “Hey folks, we need to stand up for what we believe in, because there are some sneaky people among us!” These tricksters were acting like they were part of the group, but they were twisting God’s kindness to mean that they could do whatever they wanted, even the bad stuff.
Jude reminded everyone about some stories from way back. Like, remember when a bunch of angels didn’t stick to their jobs and got into big trouble? Or when some cities did terrible things and ended up as piles of ash?
Then Jude painted a picture of what these fibbers were like – they were never happy with what they had, always complaining and making fun of others, and only thinking about themselves. They were like clouds that didn’t bring rain or trees without fruit.
But, Jude didn’t just talk about the bad stuff. He gave everyone a pep talk, too. He was like, “You guys, let’s help each other to stick with what we believe. Let’s show love, be patient, and keep in mind that Jesus is on our side.”
He wrapped up his letter with a shout-out to God, saying that He’s the real deal and can keep everyone from tripping up. He’s the one who deserves a standing ovation forever.
So, in a nutshell, Jude’s letter is like a note from a caring brother, saying, “Stay strong, watch out for the fakers, help each other, and don’t forget that God’s got our backs!”
(Read Also: The book of Revelation summary by chapter)
I encourage you to read the whole text of the book of Jude yourself using your most preferred version of the Bible.
The Text – Jude 1 (kJV)
Here is the full text of Jude in the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible:
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:
2 Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied.
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.
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.
5 I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.
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.
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.
8 Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.
9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.
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.
11 Woe unto 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.
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 withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;
13 Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.
14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,
15 To execute judgment upon 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.
16 These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage.
17 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;
18 How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.
19 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.
20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
22 And of some have compassion, making a difference:
23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
Though brief, Jude’s letter is a fervent call to steadfastness in the face of deceit and ungodliness. May we heed Jude’s exhortations to stand firm in our faith, be vigilant against falsehood, and anchor our hearts in the love and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Through Him, we have the blessed assurance of eternal life.