Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James, To those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ:
He calls himself Christ's servant with respect to his apostleship, for the apostles held a peculiar office from God. Whoever teaches without being called arrogates authority he does not possess. And he mentions James not for mere honor, but because the known integrity of a teacher confirms the faith of those who hear him.
AI summary
The same name belongs to the best and worst of men: there was Judas the traitor, and Judas the faithful apostle. Our Judas calls himself Christ's servant, counting this title more honorable than earthly kinship to Christ; to be His sincere servant is greater glory than any earthly throne.
AI summary
Commenting on Jude 1:1-2
Jude styles himself the servant of Christ, a title common to all believers yet here peculiar to an apostle or minister of the Gospel; he uses it not merely in humility but as a mark of dignity and honor, and mentions his brother James to distinguish himself from Judas Iscariot and to add credit to his writing.
AI summary