24 Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, 25 to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.
- Jude 24-25
Jude has spent the bulk of his letter warning the churches about the presence of false teachers among them and the dangers these teachings pose (v. 5-19). He has also exhorted them to contend for the faith in terms of how they love God and one another (20-22). It is fitting, therefore, that he concludes his letter with a doxology which serves to remind believers of the ultimate purpose of their lives, to live for the glory of God alone.
Nearly all of the letters of the NT conclude with a benediction (2 Cor. 13:14; Gal 6:18; Heb. 13:25 etc.) which serves as a concluding statement of blessing or praise in a letter or spoken address. A doxology, however, is a statement of worship and praise that is directed towards God. These are found throughout the NT and frequently follow a certain pattern or formula. Having warned and exhorted the churches about the significance of their words and deeds, he concludes the letter by turning their focus away from themselves and towards God who is the one who will ultimately guard them from falling into rebellion and apostasy.
Jude’s doxology begins by considering the things that God is ‘able’ to do for believers because of His great power. First, He is able to keep them from stumbling, imagery that is used here to describe falling away from God. Second, He is able to present them blameless before His presence. This refers to the reality that believers will be presented before for Him as those who have truly been cleansed of their sin. Their judgement will therefore be for reward and not for salvation. The phrase ‘with great joy’ refers to the response of believers to the joyous reality of God having kept this promise to them because of the work of Christ.
Jude then specifically ascribes glory to God whom He refers to as our ‘Savior.’ Although Jesus is usually referred to with this title in the NT, the OT expected that it was God who would accomplish the salvation of His people in texts such as Isa. 45:22 where He says, “Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other.” Jude then specifies that it is through Christ that we both receive the gift of God’s grace, but also return glory to Him. Apart from being untied to Christ, we would remain separated from God and unable to render to Him the glory that is due His name. Jude’s final remarks serve to recognize the dominion and authority of God.
The goal of this doxology is to remind believers who it is that we worship. The danger of false teaching and immorality is ultimately a danger of false worship. As we keep themselves in the love of God by worshiping Him together as a church as well as individually in all aspects of our lives, we are guarded and protected by Him. Jude’s concluding ‘Amen’ anticipates our reaction upon being reminded the power and glory of our God.
Join us this Sunday as we gather together to worship God our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord!
Soli Deo Gloria.
-Thomas