JUDE, BOOK OF

Jude, a brother of James, and half-brother of Jesus (1:1; Mt. 13:55), is the author of this general epistle. As he was in the process of beginning a letter relative to the "common salvation," he was constrained to pen a warning concerning certain false teachers who, under cover, were attacking the nature and work of Christ. At the same time, they were changing the gospel of grace into a message that allowed lascivious conduct. Jude apparently follows up on Peter's similar warnings (cf. 2 Pet. 2:3 -- 3:4). The book provides both caution and encouragement to Christians.