Jude 1:17
But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical Context
As the apostolic generation aged and died (Peter, Paul, James), the church faced critical transition: from direct apostolic guidance to dependence on transmitted apostolic teaching. Would Christianity maintain doctrinal purity or fragment into competing interpretations? The apostles anticipated this challenge, establishing structures to preserve sound doctrine—written Scriptures, appointed elders, catechetical instruction, credal summaries (1 Corinthians 15:1-8).
This verse reflects emerging recognition of apostolic authority as standard for measuring teaching. "Remember the apostles" became rallying cry against innovation. Second-century church fathers (Irenaeus, Tertullian) developed doctrine of apostolic succession—legitimate teaching must trace lineage to apostles. While Protestants reject ecclesiastical succession, they maintain scriptural succession—apostolic writings (New Testament) provide permanent standard.
The command to "remember" counters false teachers' claims to new revelations or superior knowledge. Apostolic Christianity isn't evolving toward higher truth but maintaining delivered truth (v. 3). Innovation in doctrine isn't progress but departure. Churches guard truth not by adding to apostolic teaching but by faithfully preserving and proclaiming it.
Questions for Reflection
- What specific practices help believers 'remember' apostolic teaching and guard against forgetting?
- How can churches balance contextual application with unchanging apostolic truth?
- Why is it crucial to test every new teaching against apostolic doctrine rather than accepting claims to spiritual authority?
Analysis & Commentary
But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; Jude transitions from describing false teachers (vv. 4-16) to exhorting believers (vv. 17-23). "But, beloved" (Greek hymeis de, agapētoi, ὑμεῖς δέ, ἀγαπητοί) creates strong contrast—unlike the ungodly false teachers, you beloved believers should respond differently. The affectionate address reinforces that Jude writes from love, desiring their perseverance and protection from error.
"Remember ye the words which were spoken before" (Greek mnēsthēte tōn rhēmatōn tōn proeirēmenōn, μνήσθητε τῶν ῥημάτων τῶν προειρημένων) commands active recall of apostolic teaching. "Remember" is imperative—not optional suggestion but command. "Spoken before" indicates prior teaching, possibly when apostles were with them or through earlier writings. The remedy for false teaching isn't new revelation but remembering established truth. "Of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Greek hypo tōn apostolōn tou kyriou hēmōn Iēsou Christou, ὑπὸ τῶν ἀποστόλων τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ) establishes authority—these aren't human opinions but teachings from Christ's authorized representatives.
The phrase suggests Jude wrote after most apostles had died, in the second generation of Christianity when the church depended on transmitted apostolic teaching rather than living apostolic presence. This makes preservation and remembrance of apostolic doctrine crucial. The definite article "the apostles" indicates a known, defined group—the original witnesses commissioned by Christ.