This commentary on The Letter of Jude engages the Greek text and is designed for pastors, theological students, and lay readers. Jude, a brother of Jesus, warns members of the early Jesus movement against intruders in their midst and exhorts those believers not to deviate from the fundamental tenets of “the faith” in behavior and belief. It also provides a unique analysis that links Jude with 1 Corinthians in terms of their authors’ literary style, Jewish backgrounds, and closely correlated descriptions of the errorists described in both letters. The Letter of Jude is highly relevant to Christians in the twenty-first century. Even many of those now calling themselves evangelical have abandoned any pretence to adhering to biblical doctrines. This commentary seeks to emphasise Jude’ message: contend for biblical truth, and live so that the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ is alive, true, and liberating.

Contending For The Faith A powerful and inspired letter written to all who are redeemed, set apart, preserved, an called, blessing them with the love and peace of God and exhorting them to contend for the faith given to them by God in Jesus Christ.

This Guide surveys the more important historical, socio-cultural, theological, and literary factors we must grapple with in understanding the two letters of Jude and Second Peter, between which there are very strong similarities. It appears that the letter of Jude was almost entirely 'plagiarized' by the letter of Second Peter. George Aichele's main approach is the method of semiotics, examining signifying mechanisms in each of the texts both independently and when they are read together. In both of the letters, Jesus Christ is called the 'master', with a Greek word that means 'slave-owner', and the authors of both books refer to themselves and other Christians as the slaves of Christ. Furthermore, both writings report situations of paranoid fear within Christian communities of their time as they picture heretical infiltrators who threaten to pervert and perhaps even destroy the community. In addition to this, in an adventurous excursion, the letter of Jude is read intertextually with the classic science fiction/horror film, Invasion of the Body Snatchers (Siegel 1956), in order to explore the dynamics of paranoia.

This series of commentaries on the New English Bible is designed for use in schools and colleges, and for the minister and the layman. Each volume comments on one book, or part, of the Bible. In each the text is given in full. Sections of text and commentary alternate, so that the reader does not have to keep two books open, or turn from one part of the book to the other, or refer to a commentary in small type at the foot of the page. Great care has been taken to see that the commentary is suitable for the student and the layman: there is no Greek or Hebrew, and no strings of biblical references. The general editors all have experience of teaching or examining in school and working with adults. Commentaries on all the books of the Old Testament, New Testament and Apocrypha have been published, together with introductory volumes and books of illustrations to accompany each Testament.

The letters of First and Second Peter and Jude are often neglected but they have much wisdom to offer. With this volume, Lewis Donelson integrates historical-critical concerns with theological issues, illustrating how many of the matters facing early Christian communities, and how they chose to deal with them, remain relevant to contemporary readers. --From publisher's description.

The Books of the Bible differs from the format of most current Bibles in significant ways: - Chapter and verse numbers are removed from the text (A chapter and verse range is given at the bottom of each page) - Each book's natural literary breaks are shown instead - There are no notes, cross references, or section headings in the text - Text is presented in one column rather than two or more - Books that have historically been divided into parts are restored - Books are presented in an order that gives readers more help in understanding