The Orthodox Study Bible: Jude Preface
Author
The Orthodox text documents that Jude was the brother of Jesus (Mathew 13: 55 and Mark 6: 3) and was a relative of Jesus Christ. (583). Jude is considered the author of the Epistle of Jude. (583). Jude is the brother of James, the author of James, and this is not the same James that was one of the twelve apostles.(583). In other words, not James the brother of John.
Book of Jude commenter David F. Payne explains that there is a traditional view, widely held, that Jude was the brother of James, both sons of Mary and Joseph, therefore half-brother of Jesus Christ. Payne (1986: 1590).
Date
The text states that 60-80 AD seems reasonable. (583). Many scholars, reason the text was written in the 60s or 70s AD. Payne states 70s to 80s AD for the date of writing. Payne (1986: 1590). Payne reasons that the free use of a non-canonical text (such as Enoch) points to a first-century date. Payne (1986: 1590). Robert Gundry, lists the date as 60s or 70s A.D. (1981: 364).
It is opined that oral tradition has already established basic doctrines in the Church (verse 3). (583).
Jude verse 3: New American Standard Bible (NASB)
The teaching of the Apostles is described as being in the past, verses 17-18). (583).
Jude verses 17-18 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
17 But you, beloved, ought to remember the words that were spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, 18 that they were saying to you, “In the last time there will be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts.”
Major Theme
The text explains that the Book of Jude 'is a polemic directed against false teachers within the Church.' (583). The theme is similar to that of 2 Peter. (583). The text was designed to counter particular heretical theologies and philosophical views that arose in the Church. Payne (1986: 1590).
Background Information
In regards to the canonicity, the text states that Jude was not accepted as Scripture by some as it refers to pseudepigraphal books, such as the Book of Enoch. (583). But this practice is not ruled out in a New Testament context. The Book of Jude was eventually accepted as canonical due to its antiquity and because the text was respected within the Church. (583).
Gnosticism
The heresy may have been gnosticism. (583). This religious system valued the immaterial and rejected the material. (583). This is an unbiblical philosophy.
Antinomianism was one manifestation and was connected to Gnostic thought. Matter was viewed as evil and in contrast, all spiritual was considered good. Payne (1986: 1590). Payne states that this led to cultivated spiritual lives and misdeeds of the physical nature. Payne (1986: 1590).
R. MCL. Wilson states gnosticism describes an early religious movement that placed special emphasis upon knowledge (Greek: gnosis) (γνῶσις, my add) of God and the nature and eventual destiny of humanity. Knowledge was needed to liberate the soul from cosmic forces. Wilson (1999: 226). Wilson in ‘Gnosticism’ notes it is the term used to describe a religious movement that existed during the early Christian era. The gnosis was considered a special knowledge of God and the nature of humanity. This gnosis would provide a person with the power to be free from negative cosmic forces. Wilson (1999: 226).
Klein, Blomberg, and Hubbard explain that although gnosticism existed in the first century it did not become a full-fledged philosophy until the second and third centuries. Klein, Blomberg, and Hubbard (1993: 382).
Gnosis from the Greek meaning knowledge. The root word is found in the words/concepts agnosticism, gnosticism, diagnosis, prognosis and the obsolete word for epistemology, gnoseology. Blackburn (1996: 159). In the academic discipline of theology, gnosis is noted by Blackburn to be considered higher knowledge of spiritual things, referencing claims of such knowledge within gnosticism. Blackburn (1996: 159).
Browning writes that gnosis, meaning knowledge, and gnosticism is a term used for 'a kind of religious speculation in vogue in the first two centuries CE'; the Church Fathers being hostile to it because of a perceived opposition to orthodox (Biblical my add) Christianity. Browning (1997: 151). Gnosticism was a broad movement that did have influence over the Church, particularly in the second century states Grenz, Guretzki and Nordling; I John may, for example be attempting to answer and refute gnostic understandings. Pocket Dictionary (1999: 56). Gnosticism would emphasize the spiritual realm over the material realm which was considered evil, often claiming it needed to be escaped. Pocket Dictionary (1999: 56).
γνῶσις, εως, ἡ (Strong: 1108)
Cited
gnósis: a knowing, knowledge
Original Word: γνῶσις, εως, ἡ
Brief comments
For me, gnosticism is obviously, biblically, theologically and philosophically false. Angelic spiritual entities have been corrupted by rebellion against God (Genesis 3, the serpent, Satan, also Revelation 12: 9). Fallen angels, not material entities, fell before humanity did, which is both body and spirit.
9 And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole [a]world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. Footnotes
Revelation 12:9 Lit inhabited earth
Within the applied atoning and resurrection work of Jesus Christ, regenerated, believing (John 3, Titus 3, 1 Peter) humanity in spiritual, material, wholeness, is sanctified, perfected and resurrected (1 Corinthians 15) within the eventual culminated Kingdom of God (2 Peter 3, Revelation 20-22).
BARCLAY, WILLIAM (1976) The Letters of James and Peter, Philadelphia, The Westminster Press.
BLACKBURN, SIMON (1996) Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy, Oxford, Oxford University Press.
BROWNING, W.R.F. (1997) Oxford Dictionary of the Bible, Oxford, Oxford University Press.
COURSON, JON (2005) Application Commentary, Thomas Nelson, Nashville.
ELWELL, WALTER AND YARBROUGH, ROBERT W., Third Edition (2013) Encountering The New Testament, Grand Rapids, Baker Academic.
FEE, GORDON D. (1987) The First Epistle To The Corinthians, Grand Rapids, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.
DUNNETT, WALTER M. (2001) Exploring The New Testament, Wheaton, Crossway Books.
GRENZ, STANLEY J., DAVID GURETZKI and CHERITH FEE NORDLING (1999) Pocket Dictionary of Theological Terms, Downers Grove, Ill., InterVarsity Press.
GUNDRY, ROBERT (1981) A Survey of the New Testament, Grand Rapids, Zondervan.
HOCKING, DAVID (2014) The Book of Revelation, Tustin, California, HFT Publications.
KLEIN, WILLIAM W., CRAIG, C. BLOMBERG, AND ROBERT L. HUBBARD, JR. (1993) Introduction to Biblical Interpretation, London, Word Publishing.
MARSH, PAUL, W. (1986) ‘1 Corinthians’, in F.F. Bruce, (ed.), The International Bible Commentary, Grand Rapids, Marshall Pickering/Zondervan.
MARSHALL, ALFRED (1975)(1996) The Interlinear KJV-NIV, Grand Rapids, Zondervan.
MOUNCE, ROBERT H. (1990) The Book of Revelation, Grand Rapids, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.
ORR, R.W. (1986) 'The Letters of John' in The International Bible Commentary, Grand Rapids, Zondervan.
PAYNE. DAVID F.(1986) Jude, in F.F. Bruce, (ed.), The International Bible Commentary, Grand Rapids, Marshall Pickering/Zondervan.
PAYNE. DAVID F.(1986) ‘2 Peter’, in F.F. Bruce, (ed.), The International Bible Commentary, Grand Rapids, Marshall Pickering/Zondervan.
WILSON, R. MCL (1999) ‘Gnosticism’, in Alan Richardson and John Bowden (eds.), A New Dictionary of Christian Theology, Kent, SCM Press Ltd.
