Book of Jude — New World Translation Study Guide
Section: Christian Greek Scriptures · Chapters: 1 · Written by: Jude (half-brother of Jesus) · Approximate date: c. AD 65 · Theme: Contending for the Faith
Summary of the Book of Jude
Jude urgently calls believers to defend the faith that was once for all delivered to Jehovah's holy ones, warning against apostate teachers who had secretly slipped in and were distorting the undeserved kindness of Jehovah.
Why the Book of Jude Matters Today
Jude warns Christians to 'put up a hard fight for the faith that was once for all time delivered to the holy ones' (Jude 3) against ungodly persons who had crept into the congregation. The book references Michael the archangel disputing with the Devil over Moses' body (Jude 9) — a key text for JW understanding of Michael's role and identity. For Witnesses today encountering apostate teaching or moral compromise within or near the congregation, Jude is the apostolic call to active spiritual defense. The closing doxology (Jude 24–25) is one of the most beautiful in Scripture.
Key Verses in Jude
- Jude 1:3
- Jude 1:20–21
Notable Passages in Jude
Jude 1:3
Jude's urgent call to 'put up a hard fight for the faith that was once for all delivered to the holy ones' establishes the defense of pure doctrine as every Christian's personal responsibility.
Jude 1:20–21
The counsel to build up faith, pray in holy spirit, and 'keep yourselves in God's love' provides the spiritual maintenance routine needed to resist apostasy and remain close to Jehovah.
Jude 1:24–25
The closing doxology praising Jehovah as 'the one who is able to guard you from stumbling' assures that ultimate spiritual protection rests in Jehovah's hands, not human effort alone.
Study Questions for Jude
As you read the book of Jude, reflect on these questions to deepen your understanding and appreciation of Jehovah's Word:
- What does Jude's urgent call to 'put up a hard fight for the faith' (verse 3) teach about the responsibility of every individual Christian to defend true doctrine?
- How does Jude use historical examples — the Israelites in the wilderness, the angels who abandoned their proper dwelling, Sodom and Gomorrah — to warn about the consequences of apostasy?
- What does Jude teach about those who 'have slipped in' (verse 4), and how can Jehovah's Witnesses recognize and protect against similar influence today?
- How does Jude's description of 'building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying with holy spirit' (verse 20) describe the spiritual strengthening needed to resist false teaching?
- What does Jude's closing doxology (verses 24–25) — 'Now to the one who is able to guard you from stumbling' — teach about relying on Jehovah for spiritual protection?
Frequently Asked Questions About Jude
- Who wrote the book of Jude?
- Jude, the half-brother of Jesus and brother of James, wrote the letter bearing his name, completing it around 65 CE.
- When was the book of Jude written?
- Jude was written approximately 65 CE, likely from Palestine, addressing a general Christian audience facing the rise of false teachers and immoral persons within the congregation.
- What is the main theme of Jude?
- Jude calls Christians to put up a hard fight for the faith against ungodly persons who had crept into the congregation, and references key Hebrew Scripture examples of judgment and protection.
How to Study Jude with JW Study
Track your progress through all 1 chapters of Jude in the New World Translation, mark completed chapters as you read, save personal notes on key passages, and build a consistent daily Bible reading habit. Use it alongside JW Library and the publications available at wol.jw.org to deepen your understanding of Jehovah's Word.
Reading Plans That Include Jude
The book of Jude is covered in the following structured reading plans on NWT Progress. Each plan divides the reading evenly across a set number of days to help you stay consistent.
- NWT in 1 Year — Read the entire New World Translation, all 66 books, in 365 days. (365 days, 1189 chapters)
- Christian Greek Scriptures in 90 Days — Read all 27 books of the Christian Greek Scriptures in just 90 days. (90 days, 260 chapters)
- Intensive: Bible in 90 Days — Cover all 66 books in 90 days with a steady, focused schedule. (90 days, 1189 chapters)
- Acts & the Letters in 60 Days — Follow the early Christian congregation through Acts, then study every letter through Revelation in 60 days. (60 days, 171 chapters)
Related Bible Study Topics
Deepen your study of the Bible with these related topics from JW Study:
- Is Jesus God? — Understanding Jesus' identity as the Son of God — distinct from Jehovah
- Jesus and Michael the Archangel — Scriptural evidence that Jesus Christ is Michael the archangel
- Holy Spirit — Person or Force? — The Bible shows the holy spirit is God's active force, not a third person
- Holy Spirit Is Not a Person — Key Verses — Scriptural proof that the holy spirit is God's active force, not a person
- The Trinity Is Not Biblical — Key Verses — Scripture consistently distinguishes the Father from the Son — the Trinity doctrine has no Bible basis
- The Angel of the Lord Is Michael — Key Verses — Scriptural evidence connecting the angel of Jehovah, Michael the archangel, and Jesus Christ
- What Is the Soul? — The Bible defines the soul as a living being — not an immortal inner entity
- What Happens When We Die? — Death is a state of unconscious sleep — not heaven, hell, or purgatory
- God's Kingdom — What Is It? — A real government in heaven that will rule over a paradise earth
- Why Does God Allow Suffering? — Understanding the issue of universal sovereignty and why Jehovah permits evil for now
- The Sanctity of Blood — Why Jehovah commands us to abstain from blood — and what this means today
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