The author of the New Testament Epistle of Jude, who identifies himself as "a servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James," calling in the opening verse to those who are kept for Christ to contend for the faith against false teaching.
Books
Life & Story
Jude introduces himself in the opening of his epistle with two identifiers: a servant of Jesus Christ (δοῦλος Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ), and a brother of James (ἀδελφὸς δὲ Ἰακώβου). Unlike Paul, he does not claim the title of apostle, nor does he invoke traditional Jewish honorifics; instead he humbly takes the posture of a "servant," placing himself wholly under the authority of his Lord. The title "brother of James" is generally understood to identify him with James the author of the Epistle of James, who was a physical brother of the Lord Jesus, suggesting that Jude himself belonged to the leadership circle of the early Jerusalem church. His recipients are described as "the called, beloved in God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ." The three descriptors build upon one another: called (κλητοῖς) speaks of divine election and summons; beloved (ἠγαπημένοις) speaks of intimate fellowship with the Father; and kept for Jesus Christ (τήρησις) speaks of the Lord's preserving care for His people. This language resonates with 1 Peter's description of believers "kept" by the power of God and Paul's teaching that God preserves His own to the end. Jude wrote to urge the believers to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints, because ungodly persons had crept into the community, turning the grace of God into license and denying the Lord's authority. Though brief, Jude's letter draws upon Old Testament precedents and the tradition of the archangel Michael's contention over the body of Moses, calling believers in the last days to uphold the faith, look for the Lord's mercy, and build themselves up in their most holy faith. Jude's enduring legacy is not the weight of his pages but the faithful reminder he left to every generation of the church: since God has kept us for Jesus Christ, we are to answer that grace with reverence and watchful perseverance.