The author of the Book of Jude is traditionally believed to have been one of the brothers of Jesus (Mark 6:3). That being the case, Jude may have had some insight into Jesus' teachings on this subject-thoughts Jesus may have shared with His brother, but which the authors of the four gospels may not have been privy to. Indeed, while Jude 1:20 represents Jude's personal teachings, they may very well be rooted in the teachings of the Savior Himself.

Jude's counsel comes during a period in Christian history when some serious challenges faced the Church. Apostasy was rampant. In verse four, Jude speaks of "godless people [who] have slipped in[to] the Church] unnoticed among us, persons who distort the message about the grace of our God in order to excuse their immoral ways, and who reject Jesus Christ." So, Jude was concerned about believers and the danger to their faith "apostates" were posing. In that context, he counsels believers to use true doctrine to build each other up spiritually, and to pray in the power of the Holy Spirit that God would preserve them and spiritually strengthen them in an era where their faith seemed to be challenged from all sides. Jude's warning and counsel is as germane to day as in any era in the history of the world.