1. Don Bosco Center of Studies
Affiliate of the Salesian Pontifical University – Rome
Letter of Jude 1:1
Final Examination Paper for the
Partial fulfillment of the
Subject Catholic Epistles
Leonardo M. Guiang Jr. OSM
March 22, 2011

2. Letter of Jude 1:1NAB
1
Jude, a slave of Jesus Christ and brother of James
Exegesis
Jude is the name in which he would like to use the two titles that he would like to
be known. He is Jude of two titles: first as ό δοῦλος of Jesus Christ and ό ἀδελφός of
James. This letter was written around 90 to 100 AD as many scholars would embrace; a
few place it in the 50‟s.1 However, it is for sure written in the first century of Christianity.
Jude is which sometimes called Judas. The debate has continued over the
author's identity as the apostle, the brother of Jesus, both, or neither. Some scholars
have argued that since the author of that letter has not identified himself as an apostle
and actually refers to the apostles as a third party, he cannot be identified with the Jude
who is listed as one of the Twelve. (Luke 6:16, Acts 1:13, John 14:22). Others have
drawn the opposite conclusion, i.e., that as an apostle, he would not have made such a
claim on his own behalf.2 The many Judes, named in the gospels and among the
relatives of Jesus, (Matthew 13:55, Mark 6:3) and his relationship to James the Just
called the brother of Jesus has caused much confusion. Not a lot is known of Jude,
which would explain the apparent need to identify him by reference to his better-known
brother. It is agreed that he is not the Jude who betrayed Jesus, Judas Iscariot.
How do we understand this ό δοῦλος of Jesus Christ? Being slave in the New
Testament understanding is one who gives himself up to another's will those whose
1
Brown, Raymond E. An Introduction to the New Testament. Doubleday: New York, 1997. p. 749
2
Bauckham, RJ. Word Biblical Commentary, Vol.50, Word Ltd: United Kingdom, 1986. p.14f

3. service is used by Christ in extending and advancing his cause among men. It is
devoted to another to the disregard of one's own interests. It is being faithful agent of
Jesus3 as He said in the gospel according to Matthew, “Go, therefore, and make
disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of
the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” (Mat 28:19-
20). He considered himself as having at the service to Jesus Christ, the only one object
and only one desire in his life. The highest tribute to any Christian can be is to be „use‟
to Jesus Christ for the establishment of the kingdom of God.
The word- title “ό δοῦλος of Jesus Christ” in whom it is good to note that there
were three New Testament writers who used it beside Jude. It is good to note that Paul
used in his letter to the Romans, “Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle
and set apart for the gospel of God” (Rom 1:1 NAB) It is one of the most beautiful “of all
the letters of Paul, that to the Christians at Rome has long held pride of place. It is the
longest and most systematic unfolding of the apostle's thought, expounding the gospel
of God's righteousness that saves all who believe (Romans 1:16-17); it reflects a
universal outlook, with special implications for Israel's relation to the church (Rom 9-
11).”4 He used it his letter to the Colossians, “Epaphras sends you greetings; he
(Timothy) is one of you, a slave of Christ (Jesus)” (Col 4:12). It was used also by James
in his letter, “James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Jam 1:1). Another is
used by also by Peter in the second letter, “Symeon Peter, a slave and apostle of Jesus
Christ.” (2Pe 1:1).
3
Brown, Raymond; Joseph Fitzmyer; Roland Murphy (Eds). The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Bangalore: TPI,
1999. p.918
4
New American Bible, 1970. p.1261

4. How is the word-title, brother of James means to Jude? The word ό ἀδελφός has
many meanings: a brother, whether born of the same two parents or only of the same
father or mother; having the same national ancestor, belonging to the same people, or
countryman; any fellow or man; a fellow believer, united to another by the bond of
affection; an associate in employment; brethren in Christ -his brothers by blood, all men,
apostles, Christians as those who are exalted to the same heavenly place. One thing is
sure James and Jude were related. However, there are many plausible reasons in
which biblical references be seen. Let us respect as we read that he was contended to
be called „brother of James‟. It is good to note in our understanding who this Jude in the
New Testament accounts in which clearly manifested. In addition, Jude as brother of
James in which he wants to be called and believe it so. W.G. Kummel explains:
As ‘brother of James’ he is characterized clearly enough. There was only
one eminent, well-known James, the brother of the Lord (Jas 1:1, Gal 1:19, 2:9, 1
Cor 15:7). Then Jude is one of the brothers of Jesus, the third named in Mark
6:3, the fourth in Matthew 13:55.5
Reflection - Pastoral Aspect
Why it needs to use those two titles that attached with two names? Is it enough
to have the title as servant of Jesus Christ? Pointed out already that it was written in the
first century of Christianity and that time was the time of persecution. Let us remember
the legislation of the Christian persecution promulgated by Emperor Nero in the year 63
AD. Basically there was on going purification, in positive sense, in the early period of the
followers of Christ. At the same time some followers doubted the authority of some
5
Kummel W.G. Introduction to the New Testament. Fletcher and Sons LTD: Norwich, 1970. p. 300

5. letters that was circulating. Moreover, scholars would say that the first century style of
writing was that let the person be known first and then the content of his writing. And in
this time papers were not abundant as of now. Looking the style of Jude‟s epistle is
homiletic style of writing. It exhorts the people. Even now a day when you quote
someone in a speech or in a talk, you will say first the name of the source person then
the exact quoted words.
Jude has two titles, as slave of Jesus Christ and brother of James. He called
himself a slave in whom he affirms the Lordship and being Master of Jesus Christ.
Being a slave of the Lord is always a privilege to every Christians; although, many
would claim that being slave in which some translation was servant. It was James,
Peter, and Paul who used it in their letters also. Peter (Kephas) and James including
John in the early Church in which Paul said who were believed to be pillars. (cf. Gal 2:9)
that is why Jude connects himself to the one of the pillars in his second title as brother
of James. James was the leader of the Christian community in Jerusalem in which often
be called the first bishop of Jerusalem community. Jude connects himself to him in
which have the authorities in Palestinian areas. He claimed also his brotherhood in
James. He was claiming that his authority came from or equal like his brother.
Somehow he did not claim as an apostle but it is clearly enough that his being a brother
to James connotes already his apostleship in connection to his first title as slave of
Jesus Christ. Therefore, being slave of Jesus Christ and being the brother of James
connotes his being in the authority. It pertains also his being one of the twelve and
being part of the Jerusalem community to be headed by James. Yes they belong in
fraternity but one Lord they would claim, Jesus Christ.

6. We are followers of Christ that is why we are called Christians. By virtue of our
baptismal consecration we are called to be servants or slave in Jesus Christ. It means
that we must follow the teachings of Jesus trough the Church. It is good to note that St.
Paul said, “You should know how to behave in the household of God, which is the
church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of truth.” (1Ti 3:15) Being a Christian
is being faithful to the teachings. We are servants or slaves of one another because we
have one Lord, Jesus Christ. God, who is the father of the Lord, is also those who
committed in service in love to the Christian community. Slave we are, yet brothers and
sisters in the family of God. I hope that many pastors of the Church would think as Jude
thinks especially for being leader in the community. It is treating others as slave of the
Lord at the same time brothers in the community. Most of the time priest or even some
brothers treat the parish workers as slaves in degrading way without thinking the dignity
of the human person. I hope and I pray that even I would apply the title of Jude being
slave of Jesus and to the others yet treating others as my brothers and sisters in one
family of God.

7. References:
Bauckham, RJ. Word Biblical Commentary, Vol.50. (Word Ltd: United Kingdom,1986).
Blenkinsopp, Joseph. A Sketchbook of Biblical Theology. (Herder and Herder: New
York, 1968.)
Brown, Raymond E. An Introduction to the New Testament. (Doubleday: New York,
1997).
Brown, Raymond; Joseph Fitzmyer; Roland Murphy (Eds). The New Jerome Biblical
Commentary.( Bangalore: TPI, 1999).
Charpentier, Etiene. How to Read the New Testament. (Claretian Publ: Quezon City,
1997).
Farmer, William (Ed). The International Bible Commentary: A Catholic and Ecumenical
Commentary for the 21st Century. Claretian Publ: Quezon City, 2001).
Kee, Howard Clark. The Origins of Christianity: Sources and Documents. (Printice–Hall
Inc: New Jersey, 1973).
Kummel W.G. Introduction to the New Testament. (Fletcher and Sons LTD: Norwich,
1970).
Leon –Dufour, Xavier (Ed). Dictionary of Biblical Theology (Reprinted). (Geoffrey
Chapman: London, 1995).