Jude and 2 Peter

Jude Jude, brother of James, wrote it. Presumably one of Jesus’ brothers. Rather than identifying himself as a brother of Jesus, he mentions James.

The book of Jude deals with the influence of false teachers who reject all moral authority. The Law of Moses (8-10) They indulge in immoral behavior, 6-8, 10 They seem to think they have the spirit of God himself and they are the judge of their own actions.

Jude sees this as irreverent and a rejection of God himself. They “pervert the grace of our God into licentiousness. . ..” (Jude 4) These false teachers will be judged and punished by God. Jude refers to some ancient Jewish literature that describes God’s judgment on evildoers. Jude 8 & 9 – The Assumption of Moses Jude 14 & 15 – I Enoch

Clues for an early date: The use of traditional Jewish material would not have been accepted very well in a later period when the Church was primarily Gentile. The Lord’s judgment is expected soon. The coming of the Lord is expected soon. Likely before James’ death in 62. James would have been called blessed, good, righteous, etc., if he were dead.

“To contend for the faith” has often been misunderstood. Generally taken to mean that we should be ready to do theological battles to defend the truth. While this may be true, when necessary, the focus in Jude is on moral living. The false teachers were living immoral lives. The readers are encouraged to not follow the ungodly ways of the teachers.

Now to him who is able to keep you from falling, and to make you stand without blemish in the presence of his glory with rejoicing, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen Jude 24-25

2 Peter Claims to have been written by Peter. No particular addressees. Primary subject is false teachers. Form of a testament – last thoughts, warnings for others; in the form of a letter.

The false teachers: Immoral lifestyle Deny the Lord will return, because he has delayed so long already. If there is no return, there is no judgment, thus one may live as one wishes (3:4,9). They evidently viewed the OT passages about the return of the Lord (parousia) as not inspired, but simply the prophets’ own mistaken attempt to interpret their dreams and visions (1:20f).

The false teacher were probably Hellenistic Jewish Christians who were embarrassed by Christianity’s emphasis on ethical purity and its eschatology. They tried to accommodate themselves to the more “acceptable” perspectives of their culture. Similarities to the false teachers of Jude.

2 Peter affirms God does intervene to judge: The flood Sodom and Gomorrah God has his own time frame. “A thousand years is as a day with the Lord.” (2 Peter 3:8)

Jude and 2 Peter A close relationship Several verses are very similar: Jude 8 2 Peter 2:10b 9 2:11 10-12 2:12-15 Perhaps Peter used Jude or at least had read Jude and thus incorporated these ideas because he was dealing with similar false teaching.

2 Peter refers to some of Paul’s letters: 3:15f. “. . . There are some things in them hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other scriptures.” Within the first century Paul’s letters were viewed as scripture, thus authoritative. Perhaps an indication that Paul’s letters were already being collected together.