The Epistle of Jude is a general Epistle which is packed with spiritual insights, warnings and exhortations.  Its message is one of the most severe in the New Testament. Some consider Jude a difficult book because of the extra biblical quotations in it.  Jude is not alone doing it.  Apostle Paul also quoted from heathen poets in his letter (Acts 17: 28, 29; Titus 1:12).  The early church accepted the inspiration and canonical status of the epistle of Jude.  At the beginning of his letter Jude focuses on the common salvation of believers. Then he was compelled to challenge them to contend for their faith. This letter warns the existing danger of apostasy. Jude concludes his letter by encouraging believers to keep themselves in the love of God. God is able to keep them from stumbling and present them blameless before him.   

Authorship
Jude was one of the four half brothers of Jesus Christ (Matthew 13:55; Mark 6:1-4).  They were unbelievers in the beginning (John 7:5).  They were offended at Jesus and thought that he was out of his mind (Mark 3:21). Jesus marveled at their unbelief (Mark 6:6). Only other time Jesus marveled was at the faith of the Roman Centurion (Matthew 8: 10).  One wonders how Jude became the follower of Jesus Christ. Most probably he had an encounter with the risen Jesus like his brother James (1 Corinthians 15:7).   Jude identifies himself as a bond slave of Jesus Christ.  He willingly became a follower of Christ and dedicated his life for his service. He also calls himself the brother of James. James was a well-known leader in the Jerusalem Church. Like Andrew, Jude was not resentful of his brother’s position.  Later we see these brothers were in the company of apostles praying and proclaiming the gospel together (Acts 1:14; 1 Corinthians 9: 5).  The seeds of apostasy were already sown in the early church by the false teachers. This epistle was written to believers who were living in Palestinian. Scholars suggest that Jude was written from Jerusalem in the period of A. D. 67-68. Jude wanted that Christians should not be caught off guard when they face the danger of apostasy and false teachings. The danger of false teaching and apostasy is greater today than ever before. But God is able to keep us from stumbling.