Jude: A Self-Study

Jude (Judas) is such a common name, two of Christ’s twelve apostles also bear this name (Jn. 14:22). However, the Jude who writes this brief epistle is not one of the twelve apostles. He comes into prominence in the early Church because of his blood relationship to Jesus. Little is known of him outside his own epistle. Though Paul refers to James’ kinship to Christ (Gal.1:19), Jude modestly refers to himself simply as “James’ brother.” Because Jude is named last among his siblings, many believe Jude is the youngest of Mary and Joseph’s children who are born to them after Christ (Mt. 13:35). Prior to Calvary, Jesus’ half-brothers do not believe in His deity (John 7:5). Only after His resurrection are they become His followers (Acts 1:13-14). Jude is honorably mentioned in Acts 15:22 as a worker sent with Paul, Barnabas and Silas to Antioch.

We do not know to whom Jude sends his letter. The envelope with the address, so to speak, has been misplaced. The numerous Old Testament references suggest the recipients were Jewish converts to Christianity. Jude’s style is strong, bold, energetic and picturesque. Probably written between 70 and 80 AD, this final epistle of the New Testament strongly denounces false teachers. It serves as a tract against the emerging heresies. It is the only book devoted to the great apostasy that will come upon the Church prior to the Rapture. It is fittingly placed just before Revelation with its panoramic apocalyptic judgments.

Jude parallels II Peter in many respects:

Godless men will deny the Lord. Jude 4 & II Pet. 2:1
Angels are reserved in darkness until judgment. Jude 6 & II Pet. 2:4
Sodom and Gomorrah were burned to ashes. Jude 7 & II Pet. 2:6
Arrogant men boldly slander celestial beings.  Jude 8 & II Pet. 2:10
Michael dares not bring slanderous allegations.  Jude 9 & II Pet. 2:11
Blasphemers are akin to animals. Jude 10 & II Pet. 2:12
Evil men follow the ways of Balaam. Jude 11 & II Pet. 2:15
They are rainless clouds, driven by storms. Jude 12 & II Pet 2:17
Severe darkness is reserved for apostates.  Jude 13 & II Pet. 2:17
They shamelessly lust, flatter and boast.  Jude 16 & II Pet. 2:18
Such apostasy was foretold by the apostles.  Jude 17 & II Pet. 3:2
Scoffers will come in the last days. Jude 18 & II Pet. 3:3

The apostate libertines who infect the early church are described as disruptive, corrupt, arrogant, dissatisfied, boastful and covetous. These evil men pretended that Christ’s grace releases them from all moral restraint. In view of this, Jude writes to exhort the Church to steadfastly adhere to sound doctrine. Jude makes it clear that good clean theology is necessary for good clean living.

JUDE: A SELF-STUDY

1. How does Jude describe himself?  (v. 1)
A. as a brother
B. as a servant
C. as a co-worker
D. as a fellow soldier

2. Name Jude’s brother (v. 1)

3. Name the other male children Joseph and Mary conceived after Jesus was born: (Matt. 13:55)

4. Jude addresses Believers as those who have been:  (v. 1)
A. sanctified
B. preserved
C. called
D. all of the above

5. What does Jude desire for his readers?  (v. 2)
A. mercy
B. peace
C. love
D. all of the above

6. What did Jude originally intend to write about?  (v. 3)
A. water baptism
B. baptism in the Holy Spirit
C. salvation
D. immortality

7. What are Believers to earnestly contend for?  (v. 3)

8. What is said to have been “delivered” to the saints?  (v. 3)

9. According to verse 4, what type of men had “crept” into the church?
A. ungodly men
B. men who denied the Lord
C. men who twist doctrines
D. all of the above

10. From what country were the Israelites delivered?  (v. 5)

11. According to verse 5, who will ultimately be destroyed?

12. According to verse 6, who left their original habitation?

13. What group is seen as “reserved for judgment”?  (v. 6)

14. Who did Jesus see “fall as lightening from heaven”? (Luke 10:18)

15. According to I Timothy 5:14-15, what did some young women decide to do?

16. From Revelation 12:9, list three names by which Satan is known.

17. By what three things is Satan defeated?  (Rev. 12:11)

18. According to Genesis 13:13, how are the men of Sodom described?

19. What did the men of Sodom seek to do to the angels?  (Gen. 19:4)

20. Romans 1:27 describes which of the following:
A. lust
B. homosexuality
C. theft
D. both A & B

21. Research and define the phrase “going after strange flesh” (KJV, v. 7)

22. How are the sins of Sodom and Gomorrah described?  (Gen.18:20)

23. What did the angels do to the men of Sodom?  (Gen.19:11)

24. What did the Lord rain upon Sodom and Gomorrah?  (Gen. 19:24)

25. Jude verse 8 describes:
A. rebellion against authority
B. pride
C. evil thoughts
D. all of the above

26. According to Romans 13:1-2, a person who disrespects authority will receive what?

27. According to Romans 13:4-6, those who enforce civil laws are called:
A. evil
B. greedy
C. God’s ministers
D. God’s enemies

28. What archangel is named in verse 9?

29. According to Revelation 12:7, who fights Satan and his angels?

30. To what are false teachers compared in verse 10?

31. What three Old Testament characters are named in verse 11?

32. According to I John 3:12, what was Cain’s sin?

33. According to I John 3:12, what was Cain’s motive for doing this?

34. What was Cain’s attitude, according to Genesis 4:5?

35. According to Numbers 22:4-6 & 23:11, what did Balak want Balaam to do?

36. According to Numbers 23:11 & 24:10, what did Balaam do instead?

37. According to Numbers 22:28 & II Peter 2:16, who spoke to Balaam?

38. What did Balaam finally admit?  (Num. 22:34) 

39. Who is finally killed for his wicked compromises?  (Num.31:7-8)

40. According to II Peter 2:15, what did Balaam love?

41. Korah sought to usurp the authority of what two men?  (Num. 16:1-3)

42. What opened up and “swallowed” Korah?  (Num. 16:32)

43. Because of the rebellion Korah instigated, how many people were killed, according to Numbers 16:35?

44. Because of the continuing rebellion of the people, God sent a plague that killed how many?  (Num. 16:49)

45. According to Jude 12, false teachers are like clouds without what?

46. They are also compared to trees without what?  (v. 12)

47. Peter compares them to wells without what?  (II Pet. 2:17)

48. According to Jude 11-12, these false teachers are like:
A. uprooted trees
B. raging waves
C. wandering stars
D. all of the above

49. According to Genesis 5:23-24, how many years did Enoch “walk with God”?

50. According to Hebrews 11:5, why was Enoch “translated”?

51. Who will accompany the Lord when He returns?  (Jude 14)

52. When the Lord returns, what will He do?

53. Who did the Israelites continually murmur against? (Ex. 15:24; 16:2 & 17:3)

54. What happens to those who murmur in the wilderness?  (I Cor. 10:10)

55. What must those who murmur learn?  (Isa. 29:24)

56. Who did the Pharisees murmur against?  (Lk. 5:30)

57. Who murmurs against Jesus?  (Jn. 6:41)

58. Whose words are we encouraged to remember?  (Jude 17)

59. In the end times, who will walk after their own lusts?  (Jude 18)

60. What word describes mockers in Psalm 35:16?

61. Who is mocked in Matthew 27:41?

62. In the end times, what will mockers “walk after”?

63. Define the word “sensual” (Jude 19)

64. According to Jude 20, what must we do to help build up our faith?

65. According to Jude 21, what must we constantly keep in mind?

66. What must we also look for (Jude 21)

67. According to Jude 22, what really makes a difference?

68. According to Mark 8:2, upon whom did Jesus have compassion?

69. What moved Christ to heal a leper in Mark 1:40-41?

70. Witnessing to sinners is compared to what?  (Jude 23)

71. Define the phrase “spotted by the flesh.” (Jude 23)

72. According to Jude 24, what two things is Jesus able to do?

73. According to II Peter 1:10, what must we do to avoid “falling”?

74. What will be Christ’s attitude in that day? (Jude 24)

75. List the things Jude credits God with in verse 25.

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