Apostates (Jude 1–16)
Lesson 7
Apostates
(JUDE 1–16)
Before you begin …
• Pray for the Holy Spirit to reveal truth and wisdom as you go through this lesson.
• Read Jude 1–16. This lesson references chapters 10 and 11 in Be Alert. It will be helpful for you to have your Bible and a copy of the commentary available as you work through this lesson.
Getting Started
From the Commentary
Since the author of this epistle was the brother of James, this would make him the half brother of our Lord Jesus Christ (see Mark 6:3). Our Lord’s brothers in the flesh did not believe in Him while He was ministering (John 7:5). But after the resurrection, James was converted (see 1 Cor. 15:7), and we have every reason to believe that Jude was also saved at that time. Acts 1:14 informs us that “his brethren” were part of the praying group that was awaiting the Holy Spirit; 1 Corinthians 9:5 states that “the brethren of the Lord” were known in the early church.
So much for the identification of the author. Why did Jude write this letter? To warn his readers that the apostates were already on the scene! Peter had prophesied that they would come (2 Peter 2:1–3; 3:3ff.), and his prophecy had been fulfilled. Apparently Jude wrote to the same believers who had received Peter’s letters, intending to stir them up and remind them to take Peter’s warnings to heart. You will discover a number of parallels between Jude and 2 Peter as you study this fascinating but neglected letter.
—Be Alert, page 157
1. What are some ways that the book of Jude is a call to arms? What exhortations did Jude give (v. 3)? How is it also a quiet devotional letter?
2. Choose one verse or phrase from Jude 1–16 that stands out to you. This could be something you’re intrigued by, something that makes you uncomfortable, something that puzzles you, something that resonates with you, or just something you want to examine further. Write that here.
Going Deeper
From the Commentary
Verses 1 and 2 talk about “the army.” The Captain of the army is Jesus Christ, and the soldiers He commands are people who share a “common salvation” through faith in Him. Jude called them saints (Jude 3), which simply means “set-apart ones.” He addressed them as sanctified, which, again, means “set apart.” (Some manuscripts read “beloved in God the Father.”) Perhaps there is an echo here of 1 Peter 1:2 where all three persons of the Godhead are seen to be involved in our salvation.
Certainly salvation begins in the heart of God and not in the will of man (Rom. 9:16).
The mysteries of God’s sovereign electing grace are beyond us in this life and will never be understood until we enter His glorious presence. For that reason, we are wise not to make them the basis for arguments and divisions. “The secret things belong unto the LORD our God” (Deut. 29:29).
—Be Alert, page 158
3. Read 2 Thessalonians 2:13–14. What does this passage say about being “set apart” by God? How do God’s choosing and God’s calling go together? What special blessings do God’s set-apart soldiers receive (Jude 2)? What is the value of each of those blessings? (See also 1 Peter 1:2 and 2 Peter 1:2.)
More to Consider: How does the belief that we’re set apart affect the way we share our faith with others? What obstacles can this create in our dialogue with nonbelievers? How does the reality of our special blessings from God impact our ability to overcome those obstacles?
From the Commentary
We have already noted that Jude set out to write an encouraging letter about “the common salvation.” The name Jude (Judah) means “praise,” and he was anxious to praise God and rejoice in the salvation God gives in Jesus Christ. But the Spirit of God changed his mind and led Jude to write about the battle against the forces of evil in the world. Why? Because it was “needful” for the church.
I must confess that I sympathize with Jude. In my own ministry, I would much rather encourage the saints than declare war on the apostates. But when the enemy is in the field, the watchmen dare not go to sleep. The Christian life is a battleground, not a playground.
—Be Alert, page 160
4. What is the enemy that Jude identified? (See v. 4.) Why did he shift gears and start to talk about this enemy? What does this suggest about the challenges the church was facing?
From the Commentary
How, then, should the church respond to the presence of this insidious enemy? By earnestly contending for the faith.
“The faith” refers to that body of doctrine that was given by God through the apostles to the church. The word doctrine is found at least sixteen times in the Pastoral Epistles alone. Paul admonished both Timothy and Titus to make sure the believers were being taught “sound doctrine,” which means “healthy doctrine,” doctrine that promotes the spiritual health of the local church. While individual teachers and preachers may disagree on the fine points of theology, there is a basic body of truth to which all true Christians are committed.
This body of truth was delivered (Jude 3) to the saints. The word means “to be entrusted with.” The church collectively, and each Christian personally, has a stewardship to fulfill. “But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak” (1 Thess. 2:4). God committed the truth to Paul (1 Tim. 1:11), and he shared it with others, such as Timothy (6:20). He exhorted Timothy to entrust the Word to other faithful men (2 Tim. 2:2). You and I would not have the Word today were it not for faithful believers down through the ages who guarded this precious deposit and invested it in others.
—Be Alert, page 163
5. Respond to this statement: “The church is always one generation short of extinction.” How does this relate to what Jude was saying? How is this still true today? What does it mean to contend for the faith?
From the Commentary
Like the apostle Peter, Jude reached back into Old Testament history and gave three examples of God’s victory over those who had resisted his authority and turned from the truth. Peter referred to the fallen angels, Noah, and Lot (2 Peter 2:4–9) and followed the historical order. He also emphasized God’s deliverance of the righteous as well as His judgment of the ungodly. Jude, however, did not mention Noah and the flood, but instead used the nation Israel as his example.
The point Jude was making is that God judges apostates. Therefore, the false teachers who had crept into the church would also one day be judged. Their seeming success would not last; God would have the last word.
—Be Alert, pages 164–65
6. What three examples of God’s judgment did Jude offer? (See vv. 5–7.) What do these examples teach us about God’s judgment? Why was that important to the readers of Jude’s letter? Why is that important today?
From the Commentary
Jude was not content simply to remind his readers to pay attention to what Peter had written. He wanted to add his own words of warning by describing what the false teachers were like and what they would do to the church. The Spirit of God led Jude to describe the characteristics of the apostates, reinforcing Peter’s words and, at the same time, adding information. Jude 8–16 and 2 Peter 2 parallel and supplement each other.
—Be Alert, page 173
7. Why did Jude offer this seemingly needless repetition of Peter’s warnings? (See Paul’s words in Phil. 3:1 for a possible answer to this.) What are some other messages that bear repeating in order to assure that believers are moving in the right direction? When does repetition start to lose its effectiveness in ministry?
From the Commentary
All authority comes from the throne of God, whether it is authority in the home, the church, or the state. Those who exercise authority must first be under authority, accountable to God. But the false teachers reject divine authority and set themselves up as their own authority.
The cause of their rebellion is found in the word dreamers (Jude 8). These people live in a dream world of unreality and delusion. They believe Satan’s lie, “Ye shall be as gods” (Gen. 3:5). Having turned away from God’s truth, they feed their minds on false doctrine that inflates their egos and encourages their rebellion. Jude 10 informs us that the apostates are ignorant people who do not know what they are talking about! Jude echoed Peter’s description of these men as “brute beasts” (2 Peter 2:12, 22). Animals live by natural instinct, and so do the apostates. When men rebel against God, they sink to the level of beasts.
—Be Alert, pages 173–74
8. What is “divine authority”? Why would false teachers reject divine authority? What do they have to gain by doing this? What is the benefit to the local church when leaders and teachers not only acknowledge divine authority but also teach it?
More to Consider: Read Gen. 4; 1 John 3:11–12; Gen. 3:21; Eph. 2:8–10; and Heb. 11:4. How is the way of Cain an example of religion without faith? How does his story illustrate what Jude was warning against?
From the Commentary
Jude 12 and 13 present six vivid pictures of the false teachers and help to explain why they are dangerous to the church.
(1) Filthy spots (v. 12a). Peter called them spots and blemishes (2 Peter 2:13). The Greek word translated “spots” can also mean “hidden rocks.” The mariner who is unaware of the hidden rocks can quickly wreck his ship. The pilot must always be alert, for waters that look calm and safe can contain treacherous reefs. Spiritual leaders must constantly be on guard.
(2) Selfish shepherds (v. 12b). The word translated “feeding” means “shepherding.” Instead of shepherding the flock and caring for the needs of the people, these apostates only take care of themselves. Jude may have had in mind Isaiah 56:10–12 and Ezekiel 34, where the prophets condemned the political and spiritual leaders of the nation (“shepherds”) for exploiting the people and caring only for themselves.
(3) Empty clouds (v. 12c). Clouds that promise rain, but fail to produce, are a disappointment to the farmer whose crops desperately need water. The apostates look like men who can give spiritual help, and they boast of their abilities, but they are unable to produce. “Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift [a gift he does not give] is like clouds and wind without rain” (Prov. 25:14). They promise liberty, but they can only give bondage (2 Peter 2:19).
(4) Dead trees (v. 12d). The picture is that of an orchard in autumn, the time when the farmer expects fruit. But these trees are fruitless! “Ye shall know them by their fruits” (Matt. 7:16). Those who teach and preach the Word have the responsibility of feeding others, but the false teachers have nothing to give. Not only are they fruitless, but they are also rootless (“plucked up by the root”); this is why they are “twice dead.” What a contrast to the godly man in Psalm 1:3!
(5) Raging waves (v, 13a). I personally do not enjoy being in or on the ocean (I am not a good swimmer). However, I do enjoy sitting by the ocean and contemplating its grandeur and power. But I certainly would not want to be either in or on the ocean in a storm! There is great power in those waves, as many a mariner has discovered. But Jude compared the apostates to “raging waves of the sea” not because of their power but because of their pride and arrogant speech.
(6) Wandering stars (v. 13b). Jude was not referring to fixed stars, planets, or comets, because they have definite positions and orbits. He was referring to meteors, falling stars that suddenly appear and then vanish into the darkness, never to be seen again. Our Lord is compared to a star (Rev. 2:28; 22:16), and Christians are to shine as stars in this dark world (Phil. 2:15). Fixed stars can be depended on to guide the traveler through the darkness, but wandering stars can only lead him astray.
—Be Alert, pages 177–80
9. What are the practical dangers these six types of false teachers present to the church? How are these dangers still in evidence in today’s church? What should our response be to these kinds of false teachers?
From the Commentary
All that we know about Enoch from Scripture is found in Genesis 5:18–24; Hebrews 11:5; and verses 14 and 15 in Jude. He is called “the seventh from Adam” to identify him as the godly Enoch, since Cain had a son of the same name (Gen. 4:17). In a society that was rapidly being polluted and destroyed by sin, Enoch walked with God and kept his life clean. He also ministered as a prophet and announced the coming judgment.
Bible scholars tell us that this quotation is from an apocryphal book called The Book of Enoch. The fact that Jude quoted from this nonbiblical book does not mean the book is inspired and trustworthy, any more than Paul’s quotations from the Greek poets put God’s “seal of approval” on everything they wrote. The Spirit of God led Jude to use this quotation and make it a part of the inspired Scriptures.
When Enoch originally gave this message, it is possible that he was also referring to the coming judgment of the flood. He certainly lived in an ungodly age, and it seemed that sinners were getting away with their evil deeds. But Enoch made it clear that judgment was coming and that the ungodly would get what was coming to them!
—Be Alert, page 182
10. Review Jude 14–15. Why might Jude have included this reference to Enoch’s prophecy? How might that prophecy relate to the judgment Peter wrote about in 2 Peter 3? How is that important for us today?
Looking Inward
Take a moment to reflect on all that you’ve explored thus far in this study of Jude 1–16. Review your notes and answers and think about how each of these things matters in your life today.
Tips for Small Groups: To get the most out of this section, form pairs or trios and have group members take turns answering these questions. Be honest and as open as you can in this discussion, but most of all, be encouraging and supportive of others. Be sensitive to those who are going through particularly difficult times and don’t press for people to speak if they’re uncomfortable doing so.
11. In what ways is Jude a “call to arms” in your life? What are some of the ways you play a role in the army Jude referred to?
12. In what ways are you a steward of your church community? What does it mean to carry some of the responsibility for keeping the church alive? What challenges does your church community face today? Is there a role you can play to address those challenges? If so, how will you do this?
13. What sort of false teachers have you encountered in your faith journey? What dangers did they pose to your church? To your own faith?
Going Forward
14. Think of one or two things that you have learned that you’d like to work on in the coming week. Remember that this is all about quality, not quantity. It’s better to work on one specific area of life and do it well than to work on many and do poorly (or to be so overwhelmed that you simply don’t try).
Do you want to help someone who is influenced by the false teachers that threaten the church today? Be specific. Go back through Jude 1–16 and put a star next to the phrase or verse that is most encouraging to you. Consider memorizing this verse.
Real-Life Application Idea: The claim that “the church is always one generation away from extinction” is a frightening possibility. How well is your church teaching and training the generation to come? Talk with church leaders about the impact your church is having on young adults and teenagers. Ask how you can help, then commit to making a practical difference in the generation to come. You don’t have to teach or lead small groups (unless that’s your gifting)—even just committing to daily prayer could be a good option. But do something so the church has a bright and hopeful future.
Seeking Help
15. Write a prayer below (or simply pray one in silence) inviting God to work on your mind and heart in those areas you’ve noted in the Going Forward section. Be honest about your desires and fears.
Notes for Small Groups:
• Look for ways to put into practice the things you wrote in the Going Forward section. Talk with other group members about your ideas and commit to being accountable to one another.
• During the coming week, ask the Holy Spirit to continue to reveal truth to you from what you’ve read and studied.
• Before you start the next lesson, read Jude 17–25. For more in-depth lesson preparation, read chapter 12, “You Don’t Have to Stumble,” in Be Alert.