Jude 1–2

1 Jude identifies himself by his relationship to two people. First, he is “a servant of Jesus Christ.” The word “servant” (doulos) can also be translated “slave”; it signifies a relationship in which someone is under the complete authority and control of another. This term was used throughout redemptive history as a designation for key leaders in God’s plan, such as Moses, Joshua, David, and ultimately, Jesus. Second, Jude is the “brother of James.” Although several men are named James in the NT, this likely refers to James the half brother of Jesus, author of the epistle by that name (James 1:1) and leader of the Jerusalem church (Acts 15:12–21). Thus Jude is a half brother of Jesus as well.

The recipients are described in three ways. First, they are “called,” which refers to believers’ status as having been effectually brought into a saving relationship with God. This status is further described by two additional phrases. They are “beloved in God the Father.” Believers are the objects of the Father’s covenantal love, which is entirely ill-deserved. Finally, believers are “kept for Jesus Christ.” God actively preserves his people in the present as they await the future consummation of all his promises. The perfect tense of these last two descriptions highlights the status of believers before God. All three descriptions may come from the Servant Songs in Isaiah (Isa. 42:1–6; 49:1–8);¹ if so, this would signal that believers are the promised eschatological people of God.

2 Jude longs for three things to “be multiplied” to the recipients. “Mercy” is God’s not giving us what we deserve. Because of our sin, we deserve God’s condemnation, but he spares us because of what Christ has done for us (v. 23). “Peace” refers to the end of hostility with God; whereas we once were his enemies, we now have been adopted into his family. In the OT, peace communicated the state of wholeness and completeness that would result when God consummated his promises (Isa. 32:15–18; 48:18; 52:7; 53:5; 54:10). “Love” is more than a feeling; biblically speaking, it is a commitment of the will to seek the ultimate good of another (1 Corinthians 13).