1Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to those who are called, sanctified by God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ: 2May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.
3Beloved, while I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I was constrained to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. 4For there are certain men who crept in secretly, even those who were long ago written about for this condemnation: ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into indecency, and denying our only Master, God, and Lord, Jesus Christ.
5Now I desire to remind you, though you already know this, that the Lord, having saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who didn’t believe. 6Angels who didn’t keep their first domain, but deserted their own dwelling place, he has kept in everlasting bonds under darkness for the judgment of the great day. 7Even as Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them, having in the same way as these given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are shown as an example, suffering the punishment of eternal fire. 8Yet in the same way, these also in their dreaming defile the flesh, despise authority, and slander celestial beings. 9But Michael, the archangel, when contending with the devil and arguing about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him an abusive condemnation, but said, “May the Lord rebuke you!” 10But these speak evil of whatever things they don’t know. They are destroyed in these things that they understand naturally, like the creatures without reason. 11Woe to them! For they went in the way of Cain, and ran riotously in the error of Balaam for hire, and perished in Korah’s rebellion. 12These are hidden rocky reefs in your love feasts when they feast with you, shepherds who without fear feed themselves; clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; 13wild waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the blackness of darkness has been reserved forever. 14About these also Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, “Behold, the Lord came with ten thousands of his holy ones, 15to execute judgment on all, and to convict all the ungodly of all their works of ungodliness which they have done in an ungodly way, and of all the hard things which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.” 16These are murmurers and complainers, walking after their lusts—and their mouth speaks proud things—showing respect of persons to gain advantage.
17But you, beloved, remember the words which have been spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. 18They said to you, “In the last time there will be mockers, walking after their own ungodly lusts.” 19These are those who cause divisions and are sensual, not having the Spirit.
20But you, beloved, keep building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit. 21Keep yourselves in God’s love, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life. 22On some have compassion, making a distinction, 23and some save, snatching them out of the fire with fear, hating even the clothing stained by the flesh.
24Now to him who is able to keep them from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory in great joy, 25to God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen.
We are immediately introduced to an interesting self-description by Jude, who identifies himself as the half-brother of James. Jude first calls himself a "bondservant" or "slave." The term "slave" or "servant" (Greek word "doulos") is used both literally and figuratively in Scripture. Literally, it refers to a person in servitude. Metaphorically, it describes someone who has surrendered to another's will. Why would Jude use this title if he is the brother of James and the half-brother of Jesus Christ? One reason could be that there is no spiritual advantage in being physically related to Jesus. Some might argue that Jude used this title as a form of "self-punishment" for his previous rejection of Jesus as the Messiah (cf. Acts 1:12-14). With the later revelation that Jesus is the Messiah, Jude describes himself as a "slave" or "servant" of Jesus Christ.
However, if we consider what being a "slave" to God means from a Hebrew perspective, Jude's description does not necessarily imply remorse. Great men in Hebrew Scriptures are called God's "servants," such as Moses (Deut. 34:5; Joshua 14:7), Elijah (2 Kings 10:10), David (Psalm 89:3 cf. 2 Samuel 7:5-8), and the prophets (Jer. 44:4; Amos 3:7). This concept extends to the entire nation of Israel, which was privileged to be God's "servant" and called to testify to His greatness (Isaiah 41:8-9; 44:1-5). Additionally, in Isaiah 42:1-4, even the Messiah is described as the "Servant of the Lord" (cf. Matthew 12:7-21). Therefore, being God's "servant" is both an honor and a responsibility (cf. Mark 8:34). For Christians, this servitude is best expressed through inward conformity and outward obedience to God, captured in the phrase, "Not I, but Christ."