Meaning: The quote "Jude has a very different character. It is not the cradle of Christianity, or of the assembly on earth: it is its decay and its death here below. It does not keep its first estate." was written by John Darby, a prominent figure in the early 19th-century Christian movement known as the Plymouth Brethren. This quote is taken from Darby's commentary on the Epistle of Jude, a short book in the New Testament of the Bible.

In this quote, Darby is expressing his interpretation of the Book of Jude and its significance in the context of Christian theology. The Book of Jude is known for its warnings against false teachings and its exhortation to contend for the faith. Darby's perspective on Jude's character is significant because it reflects the theological and doctrinal views of the Plymouth Brethren movement, which had a significant influence on evangelical Christianity in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Darby's statement that Jude has a very different character from the cradle of Christianity or the assembly on earth suggests that he sees the book as having a distinct and perhaps more somber role within the broader Christian narrative. He characterizes Jude as representing the decay and death of Christianity here on earth, implying that it deals with the challenges and struggles faced by the Christian community as it contends with false teachings and moral decay.

Furthermore, Darby's assertion that Jude does not keep its first estate alludes to the idea that the book does not maintain its original purity or integrity. This may be interpreted as a commentary on the state of the Christian church or the broader religious landscape, suggesting that Jude addresses the departure from the foundational truths of the Christian faith.

It's important to note that John Darby was a central figure in the development of dispensationalism, a theological framework that emphasizes a strict literal interpretation of the Bible and divides history into distinct periods or "dispensations." This theological perspective may have influenced Darby's interpretation of the Book of Jude and his characterization of its role in the overall Christian narrative.

In summary, John Darby's quote provides insight into his theological perspective and his interpretation of the Book of Jude. His characterization of Jude as representing the decay and death of Christianity, as well as its departure from its original purity, sheds light on the way in which the Plymouth Brethren and other evangelical movements in the 19th and 20th centuries viewed the challenges and struggles faced by the Christian community. Darby's perspective continues to be influential in certain segments of evangelical Christianity and contributes to ongoing discussions about the interpretation and significance of biblical texts.