THE 511 NEW TESTAMENT THEOLOGY CLASS X: THEOLOGY OF GENERAL EPISTLES.

THE 511 NEW TESTAMENT THEOLOGY

CLASS X: THEOLOGY OF GENERAL EPISTLES

THEOLOGY OF GENERAL EPISTLES

1.1 Introduction to General Epistles

• Peculiarities in each letter• Authorship & date dilemma w/ all general epistles

• Hebrews & post-baptismal sin and apostasy controversy (esp. Heb 6)• Most profound theology of Jesus’ death in NT

• James – negatively contrasted w/ Paul “letter of straw”• Connections to Jesus’ teachings – faith in practice (esp. wealth/poverty)

• 1 Peter and the experience of persecution – similarities w/ Paul

• 2 Peter and Jude• Authorship of 2 Pet and Jude’s use of 1 Enoch


2.1 Theology of Hebrews

• Situation and circumstances • Little known about the place of writing – Italy (Rome?) (13:24)

• To Christians in danger of apostasy – “dull in understanding” (5:11)• Past experience of persecution (10:32-3; cf. 13:13)

• Relapsing to Judaism(?) Lost faith in the efficacy of Christ’s death

• Homily w/ letter ending – “the word of exhortation” (13:22)

• Series of practical exhortations and doctrinal exposition• Jesus the Son of God, great High Priest, entered the heavenly sanctuary to bring

about eternal purification and forgiveness of sins

• Hold on to the confession of faith to enter Sabbath rest and heavenly city

Persuade the community to persevere in faith


• Jesus the Son of God14 since we have a great high priest…passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. (4:14)

• Foundational statements of the letter about the Son• Jesus the “last word” from God & Jesus “heir of all things” (1:1-2)

God spoke through Jesus the human being – Jesus’ superior status as “heir”

• “Son…through whom He made the worlds” (1:2)

• Radiance of God’s glory “exact representation” & sustainer of all things (1:3)

• Purification of sins; sitting on God’s right hand (1:4)

• Greater than angels and received “more excellent name – Son” (1:4-5)• Paradox: pre-existent Son inherits the name “Son”

• “LORD and God’s throne = Son’s throne” (Ps 45:6-7; 102:25-27)

• “Exalted and anointed one” (1:8-13/Ps 110:1)


• Salvation-historical sweep of the opening statement • Creation – God’s past word [prophets] – “last Word” [Son] – exaltation

• Jesus’ role in creation – incarnation – exaltation – salvation

• Preparation for the exposition of Jesus the High Priest

• Jesus’ superior status to the angels• “more excellent name than they” (1:4)

• Only Jesus is called “Son” – not angels (1:5//Ps 2:7; 2 Sam 7:14)

• Angels called to worship the Son (1:6//Dt 32”43)

• Angels as servants (1:7//Ps 107:4)

• “Him who was made for a little while lower than the angels” (2:9, 10) Necessary to fulfills His destiny


• Jesus as human being (2:9-11, 14-18; 5:8-9)• “flesh and blood” and experience of temptation

• To free from “the power of death and devil” “fear of death” “slavery”

• “merciful and compassionate High Priest”

• Jesus as eternal Son already on earth (5:8)

• Jesus the High Priest – divine and human


• Jesus the great High Priest• How could Jesus be a High Priest without priestly lineage?

4 For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, a tribe with reference to which Moses spoke nothing concerning priests. (7:14)

• Jesus’ shameful death – sacrificial offering of the great high priest to in the heavenly sanctuary to bring forgiveness once and for all• Jesus’ priesthood accoring to Melchizidek (5:10; 7:1-28)

• Qualifications (1:1-9; 2:17; 4:14-15; 2:10; 6:20; 12:2): • Divine Son – able to enter heavenly sanctuary and accomplish forgiveness

• “flesh and blood” human being – compassionate, “tested in every way”

• Jesus qualified to be high priest – “called by God” (5:1-4)

• “learned obedience” “made perfect”* (teleiotheis, 5:9)


• Priesthood “according to Melchizedek” – derived from Ps 110:4…“You are a priest foreverAccording to the order of Melchizedek.” (Ps 110:4)

• Messianic usage of Ps 110:1 common in NT 110:4 unique to Heb A priest in Ps 110:4 is interpreted as High Priest in Heb 5:10; 6:20

• Melchizedek superior to Abraham and Levitical priests (7:1-10)• Mechizedek as type of Christ “priest forever” (7:3)

• Replacement of Levitical priesthood by “order of Mechizedek” (7:11)• Could not “perfect anything” [=complete God’s plan] (7:19)

• “setting aside former commandment” – old priesthood as “shadow” (7:11-12, 18-19; 8:4-5)

• Jesus: “holy, innocent, undefiled” “once for all” “exalted” (7:26-27)


• Jesus and the sacrifice of the New Covenant• Soteriological role of Jesus’ high priesthood

• Shameful death – entrance into heavenly holy of holies Forgiveness once for all & inauguration of the New covenant

Crucified criminal = high priest & shameful death = eternal salvation

Completion & fulfillment of sacrificial system

• New covenant sacrifice (8:6) – old covenant not effectual “disappear”• Old system cannot clear the conscience (9:9; 10:2)

• Old sanctuary “shadow and sketch” of the heavenly (8:5)


• Comparison of old and new high priest & sacrifice (9:1-10, 11-14, 15-28)

• Old sanctuary w/ implements, continual and inefficacious sacrifice (9:1-10)

• Law as “shadow of things to come” (10:1)

• High priest “stands…daily offering…never take away sins” (10:11)

Cannot cleanse the conscience, cannot make perfect (9:9; 10:1-2)

• Heavenly sanctuary “sacrifice once for all” “offered himself” (9:11-14)

• Jesus the high priest “one sacrifice…sat down a the right hand” (10:12)

• One sacrifice perfected people for all time (10:14)

• The “very form of things” (10:1-2)

• Inaugurated the New and better Covenant – old “obsolete” (8:13)

“eternal redemption” (9:12)

“Let us draw near…let us hold fast…confession…let us [do] good and love one another” (10:19-25; warnings: “For if…” 10:26-39)


• Jesus the Pioneer and Perfecter of our faith• “Hold fast the confession” – “fix eyes on Jesus” (12:2)

• “cloud of witnesses” (12:1; 11:1-40)

• “lay aside sin” “run with endurance” (12:1-2)

“Jesus…author and perfector of our faith” (12:2-3)

• Jesus is first who has obtained faith’s ultimate goal (cf. Heb 11)

• “passed through heavens” “entered into inner shrine” ”right hand of God”*

• “Pioneer of salvation” “forerunner” “Pioneer and perfecter” (2:10; 6:20)

• Example of faithfulness – tested, obedient, learned, suffered, perfected

• “Perfected Jesus” source of eternal salvation for the faithful (5:8)

• “fix eyes on Jesus” and follow his example to arrive in destiny

Jesus “will appear second time…to those who eagerly wait” (9:28)


• Wilderness generation failed – lack of faith & disobedience (3:19; 4:6)

• Sabbath rest (4:9), entry into heavenly city (11:10, 19) for believers• “better things” “better hope” “better covenant” “better sacrifices”

“better country, a heavenly one” “better resurrection” “better word”*

• Heroes of faith “did not receive what was promised” (11:39)

• “Better” is for us – but only through “autor and perfecter” of faith (12:2)

• Already-not yet salvation

• Already come to “Mt. Zion, city of the living God, heavenly Jerusalem” (12:22)

• But yet “no lasting city…looking for the city that is to come” (13:14)

Faithful “pilgrimage” of God’s people toward heavenly city in the footsteps of Jesus


• Church and the community of God’s people• Little explicit material on the church – ekklesia (2:12; 12:23)

• Community meets regularly (10:25)

• Leaders (13:7, 17, 24)

• Members received basic teachings (6:1)

• Baptism and spiritual gifts (6:2-4; 2:3-4; 10:32)

• Struggle and persecution in the past (10:32-34)

• “wandering people of God” and “cloud of witnesses” “assembly of the first-born…in heaven” (11:10, 16; 12:23)• Church “militant” and church “triumphant”

• Old covenant obsolete (8:3) – believers as heirs of New Covenant Has the church as heir of the New Covenant replaced the failed “wilderness generation” [=Israel]*? (cf. Rom 9:1-5; 11:26)


• The nature of apostasy • Importance of holding on to confession of faith (4:1, 14)

• Harsh warnings about apostasy*• Impossibility of “renewing again to repentance” “crucify Christ again” (6:4-8)

• No sacrifice for persistent willful sin – only fearful punishment (10:26-31)

• No 2nd chance for despiser of the “birth-right” [=grace] per Esau (12:16-17)

• Assurance and God’s faithfulness• Christ obtained “eternal redemption” (9:12)

• Christ has “perfected for all time those who are sanctified” (10:14)

• Jesus “author and perfecter” of our faith (12:2-3)


• Scholarly interpretative views*1) Hypothetical or rhetorical warnings – apostasy cannot really happen

• “If there were those, [and there’s none], imposible to renew them”

• Stir up believers to remain faithful – “confident of better things” (6:9)

• Does it do justice to the repetitive nature of warnings in Hebrews?**

2) Pre-conversion Jews

• Jews associated with Christian community – no commitment to Christ

• What about the many references to community being Christian?***

3) Covenant community view (cf. Isa 5:1-7)

• Threat to community but individuals may escape

• Does not the author talk about different groups? (4:1; 6:4-12)


4) True believer under judgment • Severe judgment on true believer but NOT ultimate salvation lost

• Loss of earthy rewards (like OT people in desert wandering)

• What about language of “enemies of God” & “destruction” contrasted with “preservation of soul” (10:27-39; cf. 3:6, 14)

5) Apostasy of true believer • Fits the language and rhetoric of 6:4-5 “enlightened, partaker…fallen”

• Does it do justice to the overall message of Hebrew – e.g. “We are his house, if we hold on…” (3:6; cf. 3:14; 4:1-2; 6:9; 10:14; 12:22-24)

• Does the author treat readers as believers, unregenerate or mixed group?

• Is there evidence of any of this in the text?


• Problem of loosing once for all with out possibility of repentance?• True impossibility of renewal to repentance

• Repentance impossible only when disconnected from Christ (10:18, 26)

• Gk. pr. participles continuous action – “recrucifying, subjecting to disgrace”*

Repentance negated b/c continuous rejection of Christ – may be reversed

6) Addressed to those who only appear to be believers• Participation in community and their benefits – not genuine believers

• Instructed and “tasted” of Christian things with out commitment (6:4-7)

• Does it do justice to language of 6:4-5? “enlightened, partakers, tasted”

• “Package deal” view of salvation

• If a person does not persevere, there was no relationship to begin with

• “We are his house, if we hold on…” (3:6, 14; 4:1-2; 6:9; 10:14; 2:22-24; 1 John 2:19)


2.2 Theology of James

• Situation and circumstances • Written for “twelve tribes in Dispersion” (1:1)

• Jews, Jewish-Christians or gentile Christians(?)

• Date and authorship debated AD 40s-80*• James the brother of Jesus

• Legacy of James by later disciple

• General letter w/ some possible clues to situation/circumstances• Rich and poor

• Rich and/or poor in the community or outside of it?

• Audience mostly situated in between the extremes?


• Trials and perseverance• “various trials” (1:2) - what kind of trials?

• Rich & the poor – “rich exploiting you…dragging you to court” (2:6-7)*

• “lived luxuriously…put to death righteous man” (5:5)

• Or more general nature – “each one tempted…by his own lust” (1:14)

Probably both in mind

• Call for perseverance and patience – proper perspective

• “Consider it joy…” – leads to perseverance – being “perfect” & “complete” (1:2-3)

• “end goal” of maturity [teleios; cf. Matt 5:48] vs. double-minded (dipsychos)

• Single-minded committment to wisdom – not earthly wisdom (3:15-17)


• Those who pass receive “crown of life” (1:12; 5:8)

• Prophets as examples of endurance – Lord will vindicate (5:8-11)

• Other “tests”

• Lust draws to sin & death (1:13-17)

• Favoritism to rich (2:1-12)

• “Faith” that is not genuine (2:24-26)

• Sins of the tongue (3:9-10)

• Envy, boasting, grumbling, covetousness, slander, murder (3:14; 4:1-2, 11-12, 16; 5:9)

“Desires that battle within you” (4:1)

God tempts no-one, He only gives good gifts

• Proper “joy”-perspective only through wisdom (1:16; 3:17) “perfect” and “complete” (teleios; holokleros)

• Opposite is unstable double-mindedness (dipsychos) & earthly wisdom (1:5-6)


• Law and Word• What is the “perfect law, the law of liberty” & “royal law” (1:25; 2:8, 12)?

• Love commandmend OR the whole Law (cf. Matt 5:17-19*)• “royal law…you shall love your neighbor…” (2:8) OR

• “keeps the whole law…stumbles in one thing…” (2:10)

• What is the “implanted word” & “word of truth” (1:18, 21)?• Word of truth – “birth by the word of truth” “power to save souls” (1:17-18)

• Most likely gospel message (cf. Eph 1:13; Col 1:5)

What is the relationship between law and word? (1:19-25)• “Word and perfect law” connected – God’s creative word & practical direction**

• Goal of Christian life is teleios (1:4; 3:2)• Still in practice “double-mindedness” “desires” “untamed tongue”

• Humans await judgment – give an annount of one’s life (5:9)


• Wisdom • Wisdom from above – one of God’s perfect gifts (1:5, 17)

• Believers must be “born of wisdom” (3:13)• Practice of deeds of mercy, impartiality, and correct speech/attitude

Good deeds, proper perspective in trial & godly character (3:13, 17-18)

• Wisdom available to all who ask in faith (1:2-4)

• Earthly wisdom “earthly, unspiritual, demonic” (3:15) • Arrogance, self-deception, envy and self-ambition (3:14-16)

Friendship with the world or God


• Wealth and poverty• Material wealth as symbol of earthly wisdom & opposition to God

• Contrasting views of poverty and wealth per God and world

• “Brother of humble circumstances…to glory in high position” “poor…rich in faith, inherit kingdom” --- “Rich…glory in humble circumstances” “Rich…blaspheme the name” (1:9-10; 2:5, 7)

Reversal of positions in God’s eyes (vs. societal views)

• Wealthy forget God, boast, and oppress the poor (2:1-5; 4:14-16; 5:1-5)• Likened to “withering flower” and “vapor” (1:10-11; 4:14)

• God hears the cry of the poor and will vindicate them (5:1-5, 8-9)

• True religion and demonstration of genuine faith (1:27; 2:1-6, 12-13; 4:14-16)

• Caring for the poor; impartiality; and correct perspective on life and wealth


• Faith and Works – James & Paul• Main issues that James deals with

• Double-mindedness or divided soul• Mouth that blesses and curses (3:10)

• Friendship with world and God (4:4); earthly and heavenly wisdom (3:13-18)

• Counters disconnection between faith and its expression in practice• “faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead” (2:17;2:21, 24-5)

• Hearing the word but “forgetting” it and not doing it (1:22-24)

• Talking about faith “Go in peace…warm yourself”– not living it (2:14-15)

• Right confession “God is One” but no substance (2:19)

• Focus on the nature of faith• Abstract faith without concrete expression is “no faith”

• Words are not good enough – though manner of speech important


• Most explicitlyJames 2:21-24* Rom 4:1-41 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? 22 You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “AND ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS,” and he was called the friend of God. 24 You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.

What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? “ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.” 4 Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor, but as what is due.


• Relationship between James and Paul – scholarly views• James (or his disciple[s]) directly attacking Paul

• James attacking misunderstanding of Paul

• Essential harmony with different accents & perspectives

• Difficulties with the “attack/misunderstanding” views• Connections and agreements b/w James and Paul

• “right hand of fellowship” (Gal 2:2, 9-10)

• Agreement at Jerusalem council & later meeting (Acts 15:12-19; 21:18-20)

• Paul’s emphasis on “works” & salvation occasionally (Phil 2:12; Rom 1:5; 16:26)

• Is there a difference in the “order” or “priority” in God’s grace?• Paul places emphasis on God’s grace – works follow in HS’s power

• James less emphatic – BUT new birth comes by God’s word (1:17)


2.3 Theology of 1 Peter

• Situation and circumstances• Written for Christians in Asia Minor – abused and ridiculed for faith

• “resident aliens” – literal or spiritual?

• Authored by Peter or his later follower (AD 60s-100)

• Instructions to live in the world as Christians• Strengthen Christian identity in the midst of hostility

• Theological and practical rationale for enduring suffering


• Christian identity & people of God• Language of “exile” and “God chosen” people (1:1-2, 17; 2:11)

• Is “exile/dispersion” literal or metaphorical designation?

Spiritual exiles or strangers – may also connote social location

• Going through “various trials” “fiery ordeal” (1:6; 4:12)

• Importance of proper conduct (2:11-12; 4:1-4)

• Abstain from “fleshly desires…maintain good conduct”

Homeland in heaven (1:4, 9)

• God’s people terminology from OT applied to Christians (2:5-10)*• “chosen” “destined” “sanctified” “ransomed” “exiles, dispersion”

• “royal priesthood” “offering spiritual sacrifices” “holy nation” (2:9-10)


• Believers as stones in God’s house w/ Christ as cornerstone (2:4-10)

• Prophets & scripture point to Christ (1:8-10; 1:11-12)

• Holiness of God’s people (1:15-16; cf. Lev 11:45)

• Access to God’s elect people• God’s merciful initiative and foreknowlege (1:2-9)

• Through Christ’s resurrection and Spirit’s sanctifying work (1:3)

• Faith response of people and perseverance through “tests” (1:7-9)

Has Israel been replaced as the “chosen people” or is the imagery or terminology applied to believers?

1 Pet does not provide explicit answer


• Living in the hostile world• Living in the world as God’s elect and royal priests

• Life that honors God, silences critics, and attracts non-believers

• Acceptance and submission to societal institutions (2:13-17)

• Submission of slaves to masters (2:18-20)

Suffering Christ as example – who suffered as innocent to pay for sins

• Submission of wives – missionary motivation “won without words” (3:1-6)

• Conduct of respect by husbands toward wives “not to hinder prayers” (3:7)

• Unity and brotherly love (3:9-17)

• Importance of enduring suffering, good conduct, clear conscience, and “giving answer of the hope” (3:11-17)

Christ’s example


• Theology of suffering• “fiery ordeal” not surprising (4:12) – others also suffer (5:9)

• Honorable to suffer for Christ (4:13-16) – even to rejoice (4:13)

• Strenght and rationale for “rejoicing” and finding “honor” – Christ • HS knew in advance of Christ sufferings & glory (1:11, 19-20)

• Believers share in Christ’s suffering (4:13)

• Peter – “Elder…witness of Christ’s sufferings” (5:1)

• Suffering not dishonorable (4:16) but honorable if viewed correctly (2:20; 3:17)

• Christ’s suffering – example; also salvific (2:22-25; 3:18-22)• Abused – don’t retaliate, trusted God – took sins on the body to the cross

• Just died for the unjust – triumphed over evil – suffering for doing good


• Importance of being prepared to suffer as Christ did• “prepare your minds for action” (1:13)

• Confidence in God’s grace; proper conduct & holiness (1:14-16)

• Suffering as Christian – promise of God’s glorious Spirit (4:16)

• Honor in the eyes of God (and Christians)

• Demonstrates genuineness of faith (1:1-8)

• Promise of “inheritance” that is “living hope, pure, undefiled” (1:3-4)


• Other important aspects• Christology

• Pre-existence – “Spirit of Christ” in prophets (1:11; cf. 1:19-20)

• Descent to hades (3:19-20)

• Preaching to “lost souls” of the flood generation OR

• Anouncing victory to demonic spirits

• Redemptive death and resurrection (1:18-21; 2:22-25; 3:18-22)

• Redemptive death using Suffering Servant motif

• Christ as innocent sufferer – carried sins and brought forgiveness

• Death and victorious ascent to heaven – enthronement over cosmic powers


• Spirit’s role• Inspired prophets (1:11-12) & sanctifies believers (1:2)

• Rests of persecuted believers (4:14)

• Church as God’s people – Gk. ekklesia never used • OT imagery used to describe believers

• Community organization

• Charismatic and structured (4:10-11; 5:1-4)

• Eschatology – emphasis on future • Salvation revealed “in the last time” (1:5)

• Coming Day of judgment (2:12; 4:17)

• Christ’s second coming – “chief shepherd appears” (5:1, 4)

• Inheritance “kept in heaven” (1:4)


2.4 Theology of 2 Peter

• Situation and circumstances • “Second Peter is one of the most problematic writings of the New

Testament” (Matera 2007: 383)

• Should it be interterpreted with 1 Peter or with Jude?• Is it psedenymous (and using Jude) or written by Peter?

• Authentic AD 60s from Rome; later follower of Peter AD 80s-120

• “Last” testament of Peter (1:14)

• ”the laying aside of my earthly dwelling is imminent”

• By Peter or his later follower

To warn about false teachers and stand firm in faith


• God, Christ, salvation• Jesus identified as “God and Savior” (1:1)

• God as Father (of Son), judge, source of prophecy (1:21; 2:4; 3:4, 12)

• “Day of the Lord” & “Day of God” (3:10, 12)

• Righteousness of Jesus grants faith – brings faith into existence (1:1)• “Lord who bought them” – redemptive language (2:1)

• Salvation and its benefits originate from God and Christ (1:10-11) • His divine power…granted everything pertaining to life…godliness (1:3)

• “promises…participation in divine nature” (1:4-5; theias koinonoi physeos)

• Enables escape from corruption of the world (1:5)*

• Importance of “applying” virtues and “making calling/election sure” (1:5-7)

Confirmation of election/calling by virtuous life grounded in salvation


• Judgment• False teachers judged in the past, present; and in the future (2:1-22)

• Truthfulness of the apostolic message• Christ’s transfiguration and glory based on reliable testimony (1:16-18)

• Prophetic word – now and in the past inspired by the Spirit (1:19-21; 3:2)

• False teachers and their “destructive heresies”• “deny the Master who bought them” “sensuality, greed, bold…” (2:1-21)

• Wicked judged and righteous preserved in the past (2:4-22)• Fallen angels; flood; Sodom and Gomorrah

• Examples for “now”

• Some clearly “inside” the community

Exhortation to stand firm and remain faithful in doctrine and conduct


• Parousia• Delay of parousia by “mockers” – “deliberately ignore” (3:5)

“Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.” (3:4)

• Peter’s defense of parousia AND the Christian message• Christ’s first coming (parousia) based on reliable wittness (1:16-18)

• Security of the prophetic Word and apostolic teaching (1:19; 3:1-2)

• Creation and flood by God – judgment of the wicked (3:5-7)

• God’s timetable – 1 day like 1000yrs. (3:8-9)

• Destruction of the old order* and new heavens and new earth (3:10-13)

“delay” is demonstration of God’s mercy & patience not deception

Stand firm and “remember the words” of prophets, Lord, and apostles


2.5 Theology of Jude

• Situation and circumstances• Jude “the brother of James” (and Jesus; Matt 13:55; Mark 6:3) or later

disciple • AD 50s-60s in Israel or pseudonymous AD 80s-90s

• Warning against false teachings• Standing firm in light of Scriptural and apostolic examples

• Help those who are in danger of “falling away”


• God, Christ, salvation• Recipients as “called” and “beloved in God” “kept for Jesus” (1)

• Salvation through God and Christ (1, 24-25)

• Grace and love of God (1, 4, 21)

• Jesus as “Master and Lord” (kyrios, despotes 4, 17)

• Lord’s second coming mercy and judgment (14-15, 21)

• Holy Spirit – possessed by believers – connected to prayer (19-20)

• Salvation and perseverance• “kept by God’s power…kept for Jesus” (1, 24-25)

• “content for faith, build yourself in faith, keep in love, rescue others” (3, 20-23)

• Be aware and avoid false teachers


• Theology of heresy and courage to stay firm• Descriptions of false teachers

• “crept unnoticed” “deny Lord Jesus” “grace into licentiousness” (4)

• “irrational animals”; “wandering stars”; “tossing waves” (10-13)

• “ungodly sinners”; “worldly”; “devoid of Spirit” (15-18)

• “pervert the grace”; “reject authority” (4, 8)

• Jude counters the false teachers by examples from past• Scripture as storehouse of examples of types and examples

• Former errors as guide to discern present errors

• False teachers designated long ago for condemnation (4)

Discernment and strenght to remain steadfast


• Scriptural examples and application (5-7)• Failure of wilderness generation – unbelief

• Rebellion of the angels – rejection of authority

• Sodom and Gomorrah – immorality

Types of false teachers

• False teachers: “Defiling flesh” – like angels & Sodom/Gomorrah; “rejecting authority” – like fallen angels

• Cain, Balaam, Korah (11) – destruction of the community

• From tradition (8-10, 14-15) – Assumption of Moses & 1 Enoch• False teachers “slander glorious ones [angels]”

• Michael vs. Devil over the body of Moses

• Enoch and judgment of ALL – applied to false teachers


• Apostolic witness – “scoffers will come…devoid of the Spirit” (18-19)

• Application to present situation

“build up, keep up, pray up”

Save yourself and others

God will keep you

• To mine scriptural stories for present discernment

• Jude’s brief examples invite to “read” and discern patterns

• Nothing new under the sun – heresy and false teachings ancient

• Destiny of false teachers is judgment per past examples


• s

THE 511 NEW TESTAMENT THEOLOGY CLASS X: THEOLOGY OF GENERAL EPISTLES.

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