Jude 1:17 - But you, beloved, remember the words which have been spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Generated Verse: Jude 1:17

What does "Jude 1:17" mean?


Jude 1:17, "But you, beloved, remember the words which have been spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ," is a call to action, urging the recipients of Jude's letter to hold fast to the teachings of the apostles. Let's break down the meaning:

"But you, beloved..." This phrase sets up a contrast. Jude has just warned about the dangers of false teachers and their ungodly behavior. Now, he turns to those who are faithful, addressing them as "beloved," highlighting their special standing in God's love.

"...remember the words which have been spoken before..." This is the core of Jude's instruction. He's telling them not to forget the teachings they've already received. The emphasis is on recalling and holding onto the truths that have been established.

"...by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ." This clarifies the source of the "words." Jude is referring to the teachings of the apostles, who were directly commissioned and taught by Jesus himself. These teachings are the foundation of Christian faith and practice.

In essence, Jude is urging his readers to:

Be mindful: Don't let the seductive lies of false teachers distract you from the truth.
Anchor yourselves: Ground yourselves in the established apostolic teachings.
Be discerning: Use the apostolic teachings as a standard to evaluate the claims of these new teachers.
Be steadfast: Remain firm in the faith that has been passed down to you.

Why is this important in the context of Jude?

Jude is writing to a community facing the threat of false teachers who are distorting the gospel and promoting licentious behavior. These false teachers are trying to undermine the foundations of Christian faith and morality. By reminding his readers to remember the apostolic teachings, Jude is equipping them to recognize and resist these false teachers.

Application for today:

This verse still holds relevance for Christians today. We are constantly bombarded with different ideologies and teachings, some of which contradict the core principles of Christianity. Jude's instruction reminds us to:

Study Scripture: Become familiar with the teachings of the apostles as recorded in the New Testament.
Be discerning: Evaluate new teachings in light of Scripture.
Stand firm: Don't be swayed by popular opinions or cultural trends that contradict biblical truth.
Pass on the faith: Remember that we are also called to teach and pass on the teachings of the apostles to future generations.

Jude 1:17 is a timeless reminder that the truth of the gospel, as taught by the apostles, is our safeguard against deception and our guide to living a life that pleases God.