I. Introduction vv. 1-2
II. The purpose of this epistle vv. 3-4
III. Warnings against false teachers vv. 5-16
A. Previous failures vv. 5-7
1. The example of certain Israelites v. 5
2. The example of certain angels v. 6
3. The example of certain pagans v. 7
B. Present failures vv. 8-16
1. The nature of the error vv. 8-9
2. The seriousness of the error vv. 10-13
3. The consequences of the error vv. 14-16
IV. Exhortation to the faithful vv. 17-23
A. The reminder to remember the apostles' warning vv. 17-19
B. The positive instruction of the readers vv. 20-23
V. Conclusion vv. 24-25
A former student of mine, Brian Baker, submitted the following structural study of Jude in the spring of 1995. He concluded that Jude deliberately constructed his book in a chiastic structure to focus on the warning of woe in verse 11.
ATo you who are keptin Jesus Christ (1)
BMercyto you (2)
CCommon salvation(3a)
DContendearnestly for the faith(3b)
E Licentiouspeople (4)
FI remindyou (5a)
GThe Lord destroyed unbelievers(5b)
H Angels in darknessfor rebelling (6)
ISodom and Gomorrahan example (7)
JDefilement during sleep(8)
KMichael and Satan argued about Moses(9)
LLike unreasoning animals(10)
MDestruction for ungodly actions(10)
NWoe to them!(11)
M'Cain punished for ungodly actions(11)
L'Balaam's unreasoning animal(11)
K'Korah disputed with Moses(11)
J'Hidden reefs present unseendanger (12)
I'Open exhibition of shame(12-13)
H'Stars wander in darkness(13)
G'Enoch prophesied judgment on the ungodly(14-15)
F'Rememberthe apostles' warning (17)
E'Mockingpeople (18-19)
D'Build yourselvesup in the faith(20)
C'Wait for eternal life(21)
B'Have mercyon some (22-23)
A'To Him who keepsyou from from falling (24)
