The Apostle Who Cited a Non-Canonical Book
Knowing Your Apostles — Part 4
This is a fun, lighthearted series intended not necessarily to teach, but to spark conversation. Consider this an open invitation to share what you know, like, dislike, or simply find interesting about any of the apostles. This is a judgment-free zone, so feel free to share your thoughts and opinions.
Series Fifth Question
The fifth question of this series is: Who is the apostle who quoted a non-canonical book?
My Answer: Yes
Apostle Jude was the one who quoted a non-canonical book—the Book of Enoch. In fact, he also referenced another non-canonical work, which I will highlight below.
Some may disagree with my calling him an apostle. That is okay, but it is my considered view. I will lay out my case below. First, however, a few biographical details.
A Few Biographical Facts
Jude was a brother of the apostle James (Jude 1), whom I highlighted in Part 3: The Skeptic Who Became an Apostle. Like James, he was a son of Mary and Joseph, making him Jesus’ half-brother.
Like the apostle James, there is no evidence that Jude believed in Jesus during His earthly ministry. They shared the same unbelief, as reflected in these verses:
“Leave Galilee and go to Judea, so that your disciples there may see the works you do. No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.”
— John 7:3–4
“For even his own brothers did not believe in him.”
— John 7:5
They viewed Jesus as someone seeking public attention and promoting Himself because they neither recognized His divine identity nor understood His mission.
Scripture is silent on when or how Jude came to faith, but sometime after Jesus’ resurrection he became a believer and went on to author the Epistle of Jude. Next, I will make the case for why I consider Jude to be an apostle.
The Case for James’ Apostleship
One, I consider Jude to be a second-generation apostle, like James, Barnabas, and Paul. Two, I do not believe he was an apostle simply because James was his brother or because he was Jesus’ brother. My case rests on the evidence found in his letter. Allow me to explain why I believe Jude should also be regarded as an apostle.
First, Jude’s letter is classified among the Catholic Epistles, alongside those of Peter and John. “Catholic” here does not refer to the Roman Catholic Church but means universal, since these letters were addressed to the church at large rather than to specific congregations. This distinguishes them from Paul’s letters, which were written to individual churches, such as the Corinthians and Ephesians, or to a group of regional churches, such as the Galatians. Jude opens his letter by writing:
“To those who are called, sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ:”
— Jude 1
Second, flowing from the universality of his letter, I believe Jude must have been widely recognized by the church as an elder alongside Peter, John, and James. It is difficult for me to imagine someone writing authoritatively to the entire church if his authority as a church leader had not already been broadly acknowledged.
Third, Jude writes with the voice of an authority figure and church elder:
“Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.”
— Jude 3
For perspective, consider Mark, whom I discussed in Part 4: The Greatest Apostolic Dispute. Mark wrote the Gospel that bears his name, recording historical events. Jude, however, wrote pastoral instruction grounded in established apostolic doctrine.
My point is not that Jude was an apostle merely because he wrote an epistle. Rather, I believe the tone, authority, and theological weight of his letter place it alongside the writings of Peter, John, and Paul. He wrote with what I regard as apostolic authority.
Finally, Paul provides explicit evidence that James was an apostle when he writes:
“After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles.”
— 1 Corinthians 15:7
By distinguishing James and then mentioning “all the apostles,” Paul was indicating a broader group of apostles beyond the Twelve. Earlier he had already written:
“and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve.”
— 1 Corinthians 15:5
This points to a second generation of apostles, a group that I believe included Jude. Since Jesus appeared to James and many others after His resurrection, it is not implausible that He also appeared to Jude, although Scripture does not explicitly say so.
This is my case for Jude’s apostleship. It is my considered opinion, and you are free to disagree.
Now, let’s explore the non-canonical books that Jude either quoted directly or indirectly referenced.
The Book of Enoch
Jude directly quotes the Book of Enoch in verses 14-15:
“Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, ‘Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints, to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.’”
This is a close paraphrase of 1 Enoch 1:9.
The Book of Enoch was never canonized for several key reasons. Scholars do not believe that it was not written by Enoch himself—they date its composition between the 3rd century BC and the 1st century AD, and it had multiple authors. Additionally, some of its theological content is incoherent and inconsistent with Scripture. Having read it, I can attest to this.
The Book of Enoch appears in the Ethiopian Bible (which totals 81-82 books) alongside 21 other non-canonical writings. I’ve seen people on social media pushing the Ethiopian Bible and claiming the standard 66-book canon is “abridged.” This is completely false.
Jude also references another non-canonical work, The Assumption of Moses, when he describes the Archangel Michael disputing with Satan over Moses’ body (v. 9).
You might ask: If these books aren’t canonical, why does Jude reference them? Referencing a book does not equal full endorsement. Paul quoted pagan poets (Acts 17:28; Titus 1:12) without endorsing everything they wrote.
The Bible itself mentions other books that were not included in the canon, such as the Book of Jasher (Joshua 10:13; 2 Samuel 1:18) and the Book of the Wars of the LORD (Numbers 21:14). Their absence does not mean the Bible is incomplete. The canon stands complete as it is.
Jude’s Legacy
Whether you consider Jude an apostle or not, his contribution to biblical theology is undeniable. His letter is not a systematic doctrinal treatise but mostly instructions and exhortations based on established doctrines.
He urged believers to contend for the faith (v. 3).
He warned about false teachers (v. 4) and described their character and conduct (vv. 8-13).
He grounded his warning against complacency by recounting historical examples of God’s judgment (vv. 5-7). I believe this is a warning that some Once Saved Always Saved (OSAS) advocates forget.
He predicted the rise of scoffers, as has happened in all generations, and noted the apostles’ prior warnings (vv. 17-19).
He calls believers to build themselves up in the faith (vv. 20-23).
I believe that one of his greatest contributions to church literature is one of the most quoted benedictions in the New Testament:
To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.
— Jude vv.24-25 NIV
Your Turn
What do you think? Do you consider Jude an apostle or not and why? What do you think is his greatest contribution to the church?
Your answer doesn’t have to be as long as mine—feel free to share in the comments.