Jude – Chapter 1

New Testament25 Verses

Chapter Summary

Chapter 1 of Jude begins: "Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James: to them that are beloved in God the Father and preserved in Jesus Christ and called." The chapter centers on Michael, Enoch and James. Across its 25 verses, two threads run through the text: sin and divine judgment and love and charity. Read slowly, this chapter rewards the kind of prayerful attention the Church calls lectio divina.

1Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James: to them that are beloved in God the Father and preserved in Jesus Christ and called.

2Mercy unto you and peace: and charity be fulfilled.

3Dearly beloved, taking all care to write unto you concerning your common salvation, I was under a necessity to write unto you: to beseech you to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints.

4For certain men are secretly entered in (who were written of long ago unto this judgment), ungodly men, turning the grace of our Lord God into riotousness and denying the only sovereign Ruler and our Lord Jesus Christ.

5I will therefore admonish you, though ye once knew all things, that Jesus, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, did afterwards destroy them that believed not.

6And the angels who kept not their principality but forsook their own habitation, he hath reserved under darkness in everlasting chains, unto the judgment of the great day.

7As Sodom and Gomorrha and the neighbouring cities, in like manner, having given themselves to fornication and going after other flesh, were made an example, suffering the punishment of eternal fire.

8In like manner, these men also defile the flesh and despise dominion and blaspheme majesty.

9When Michael the archangel, disputing with the devil, contended about the body of Moses, he durst not bring against him the judgment of railing speech, but said: The Lord command thee.

10But these men blaspheme whatever things they know not: and what things soever they naturally know, like dumb beasts, in these they are corrupted.

11Woe unto them! For they have gone in the way of Cain: and after the error of Balaam they have for reward poured out themselves and have perished in the contradiction of Core.

12These are spots in their banquets, feasting together without fear, feeding themselves: clouds without water, which are carried about by winds: trees of the autumn, unfruitful, twice dead, plucked up by the roots:

13Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own confusion: wandering stars, to whom the storm of darkness is reserved for ever.

14Now of these Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying: Behold, the Lord cometh with thousands of his saints:

15To execute judgment upon all and to reprove all the ungodly for all the works of their ungodliness, whereby they have done ungodly: and for all the hard things which ungodly sinners have spoken against God.

16These are murmurers, full of complaints, walking according to their own desires: and their mouth speaketh proud things, admiring persons, for gain's sake.

17But you, my dearly beloved, be mindful of the words which have been spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ:

18Who told you that in the last time there should come mockers, walking according to their own desires in ungodlinesses.

19These are they who separate themselves, sensual men, having not the Spirit.

20But you, my beloved, building yourselves upon your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,

21Keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, unto life everlasting.

22And some indeed reprove, being judged:

23But others save, pulling them out of the fire. And on others have mercy, in fear, hating also the spotted garment which is carnal.

24Now to him who is able to preserve you without sin and to present you spotless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, in the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:

25To the only God our Saviour through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory and magnificence, empire and power, before all ages, and now, and for all ages of ages. Amen.

Important Verses in Jude 1

Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James: to them that are beloved in God the Father and preserved in Jesus Christ and called.

Jude 1:1

For certain men are secretly entered in (who were written of long ago unto this judgment), ungodly men, turning the grace of our Lord God into riotousness and denying the only sovereign Ruler and our Lord Jesus Christ.

Jude 1:4

Keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, unto life everlasting.

Jude 1:21

To the only God our Saviour through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory and magnificence, empire and power, before all ages, and now, and for all ages of ages. Amen.

Jude 1:25

Historical Context

As a New Testament book, Jude was written with the faithful, called to defend the apostolic faith against corruption in view. Chapter 1 of 1 opens the book and sets the stage for everything that follows. It is a apostolic teaching addressed to a Christian community with 25 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Michael, Enoch, James and Moses appear at the center of the events recorded here. The passage starts with these words: "Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James: to them that are beloved in God the Father and preserved in…" The final verse reads: "To the only God our Saviour through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory and magnificence, empire and power, before all…" Read against its original backdrop, A fiery warning against false teachers who turned God's grace into license for immorality. The book's material reflects the era summarized as follows: About AD 65-80.

Who Wrote It

Jude, 'brother of James,' kinsman of the Lord

When It Was Written

About AD 65-80

Catholic Commentary

The letter combines theological exposition with pastoral exhortation for believers. A pivotal line is verse 1: "Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James: to them that are beloved in God the Father and preserved in Jesus Christ and called." The passage repeatedly touches on sin and divine judgment.

According to Catholic interpretation, this chapter contributes to the book's portrait of contending for the faith. defending the apostolic faith (CIC 84-87). The Catechism and the liturgy frequently draw on such passages to nourish faith and moral life (CIC 355).

Applied to the life of faith, the passage supports the Church's conviction that Contend for the faith once delivered to the saints. Whether read privately or heard in the liturgy, Jude 1 calls for a response of faith, repentance, and charity.

Main Teachings

  • Sin has real consequences, but God's judgment always aims at conversion and restoration.
  • Love of God and love of neighbor sum up the whole law and reveal the very nature of God.
  • The Lord is a refuge and deliverer for all who call upon Him in trouble.

People in This Chapter

Michael1 mentionEnoch1 mentionJames1 mentionMoses1 mentionAdam1 mentionCain1 mention

Reflection for Today

When the Church proclaims Jude Chapter 1 at Mass or in the Liturgy of the Hours, she treats this text as the living voice of God.

In the four senses of Scripture—literal, allegorical, moral, and anagogical—the Church finds rich meaning in Jude Chapter 1. At the moral level, stewardship of creation challenges us to examine conscience and amend our lives (CIC 133).

Entrust your meditation to Mary, who pondered God's Word in her heart. Through her intercession, may the message of stewardship of creation bear fruit in humility, courage, and charity this day.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Jude Chapter 1 about?

Jude 1 contains 25 verses. It opens with "Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James: to them that are beloved in God the Father and preserved in…" and closes with "To the only God our Saviour through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory and magnificence, empire and power, before all…". The book as a whole is epistle.

What is a key verse in Jude 1?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James: to them that are beloved in God the Father and preserved in Jesus Christ and called." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Jude Chapter 1?

This chapter mentions Michael, Enoch, James, Moses, Adam, among others.

Who wrote Jude and when?

Jude, 'brother of James,' kinsman of the Lord. About AD 65-80.

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