poverty
What Is 1 Enoch and Why Does Jude Quote It?
By Matthew Harmon at The Gospel Coalition
· July 1, 2026
· 6 min read
When we turn the page from the end of the Old Testament to the beginning of the New Testament, we often fail to realize that a single page turn hides about a 400-year period. A lot happened during those centuries, including the writing and compiling of literature that reflected on the events and pro
Key takeaway One of the more significant Jewish writings from this period is what we refer to today as 1 Enoch.
Why this matters
The quotation of 1 Enoch in the epistle of Jude highlights the complex and nuanced literary landscape of the Second Temple period, which has significant implications for understanding the theological and cultural context of early Christianity. The fact that Jude cites 1 Enoch as a prophetic voice, alongside other biblical figures, demonstrates the fluid boundaries between canonical and non-canonical texts in ancient Jewish tradition. This phenomenon is particularly relevant for Christian charity and ministry, as it underscores the importance of understanding the historical and cultural context of biblical texts in order to effectively communicate the gospel and address issues of poverty and social justice. Furthermore, the inclusion of 1 Enoch in the theological discourse of the New Testament period suggests that early Christian leaders were engaged with a broader range of Jewish texts and traditions, which can inform contemporary approaches to faith-based giving and humanitarian relief.
About this story
Original reporting by The Gospel Coalition . Christgiving surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
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Category: poverty ·
Published: July 1, 2026 ·
Source: The Gospel Coalition ·
Reading time: 6 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? When we turn the page from the end of the Old Testament to the beginning of the New Testament, we often fail to realize that a single page turn hides about a 400-year period. A lot happened during those centuries, including the writing and compiling of literature that reflected on the events and pro
When was this published? This article was first published on July 1, 2026 by The Gospel Coalition and curated for Christgiving readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Matthew Harmon at The Gospel Coalition. To learn more about how Christgiving selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more poverty coverage from Christgiving, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .