Upon reading the New Testament one may notice some obvious similarities in content between the books of 2 Peter and Jude. These similarities have at times raised questions in the minds of the readers. Some have made unwarranted assumptions concerning these similarities which have only complicated matters. For example, various views have been advanced, including among them the following ideas: both writers copied their material from an unknown common source, Peter copied Jude's work, or that Jude copied Peter's work. Some have even attempted to use the similarities between the two books in order to advance the idea that neither book was written by the man with whose name it is associated. However, these views are rooted in baseless speculation rather than in Scriptural evidence.
Concerning the harmony and consistency of the inspired writings, Jesus said that "the Scripture cannot be broken" (John 10:35). Therefore, if similarities exist between 2 Peter and Jude, then there must be good reasons as to why such similarities exist. While the two letters do cover similar ground in some respects, the similarities between the two are representative of the harmony of truth. Consider the harmony displayed in the content of these two brief New Testament epistles.
1. Jude writes of the fulfillment of what Peter forewarned. Concerning the threat of false teachers, Peter writes, "But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction" (2 Pet. 2:1). While Jude also warns of false teachers, he speaks of them as presently fulfilling Peter's words. Jude writes, "For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ" (Jude 4). Peter warned that such men would come among the brethren; Jude notes that they had arrived.
2. Jude refers to the counsel given by Peter and the other apostles. Peter warned of those who would mock at the word of God, saying, "Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior, knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts" (2 Pet. 3:1-3). Jude apparently makes reference to Peter's warning, saying, "But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts" (Jude 17-18). Peter warned that these lust-driven mockers would come; Jude reminds his readers of the warning because the mockers had come.
3. Jude reinforces what Peter wrote. Peter bases the certainty of God's judgment against false teachers on the judgments God has brought in the past on sinful angels (2 Pet. 2:4) and the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah (v. 6), and provides a description of false teachers which serves to highlight their corruption and ultimate doom (vv. 12-17). Jude reinforces what Peter wrote by also reminding his readers of God's judgments against wicked angels and the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah (Jude 6), and by further describing the corruption of false teachers and their ultimate judgment by God (vv. 12-15). Peter warned of the danger of those who would lead others into spiritual ruin; Jude reiterates and underscores Peter's warnings with forceful clarity.
Conclusion. Why are 2 Peter and Jude so similar? The answer ultimately lies in the fact that, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God" (2 Tim. 3:16) and that both men were "moved by the Holy Spirit" in what they wrote (2 Pet. 1:21). Peter and Jude were directed by God in delivering vital, harmonious, and complimentary messages which serve to warn believers against straying from the truth of God. Are you listening?
- Truth Magazine, September 2016