The Book of Jude

Jude 1:1-25
1 Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called:
2 Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied.
3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
5 I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.
6 And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.
7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.
8 Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.
9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.
10 But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.
11 Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.
12 These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;
13 Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.
14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,
15 To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.
16 These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage.
17 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;
18 How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.
19 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.
20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
22 And of some have compassion, making a difference:
23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.



The Book of Jude was written in about 67-70 A.D.

1:1 Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called:

1:1 Ἰουδασ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ δοῦλος, ἀδελφὸς δὲ Ἰακώβου, τοῖς ἐν Θεῷ πατρὶ ἠγιασμένοις, καὶ Ἰησοῦ Χριστῷ τετηρημένοις κλητοῖς

Jude (Ἰούδας, which is Judah or Judas, meaning "he shall be praised") begins his letter with an introduction.

He tells us who he is:
the servant (δοῦλος) of Jesus Christ (Ἰησοῦς means "salvation" and Χριστός means "anointed"). The Greek term δοῦλος is a metaphor for one who gives himself up to another's will, those whose service is used by Christ in extending and advancing his cause among men, and the term was used of apostles. So Jude was an apostle (also mentioned in Luke 6:16).
brother of James (Ἰάκωβος which means "supplanter"). He is also the half-brother of Christ (Matthew 13:55).

He then greets all Christians saying:
"to them that are sanctified by God" (or ἁγιάζω ἐν θεός which means "to them dedicated to God")
"and preserved in Jesus Christ" (καὶ Ἰησοῦ Χριστῷ τετηρημένοις or devoted to Jesus Christ)
"and called" (or κλητοῖς which means invited (by God in the proclamation of the gospel) to obtain eternal salvation in the kingdom of God through Christ)


1:2 Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied.

1:2 ἔλεος ὑμῖν καὶ εἰρήνη καὶ ἀγάπη πληθυνθείη

Jude continues his greeting with a benediction to all who are dedicated to god saying "Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied."

Mercy (ἔλεος) means compassion, kindness or good-will towards the miserable and the afflicted, joined with a desire to help them.

Peace (or εἰρήνη in Greek) of Christianity, the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot, of whatsoever sort that is

Love (ἀγάπη) is affection, good-will, benevolence; of the love of men to men; especially of that love of Christians towards Christians which is enjoined and prompted by their religion, whether the love be viewed as in the soul or expressed.

Be multiplied means "be richly given" in the Greek it is "πληθύνω"


1:3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

1:3 Ἀγαπητοὶ, πᾶσαν σπουδὴν ποιούμενος γράφειν ὑμῖν περὶ τῆς κοινῆς σωτηρίας ἀνάγκην ἔσχον γράψαι ὑμῖν, παρακαλῶν ἐπαγωνίζεσθαι τῇ ἅπαξ παραδοθείσῃ τοῖς ἁγίοις πίστει

He then immediately tells the reason for the letter.

He uses the phrase " when I gave all diligence to write unto you". The word "diligence" (σπουδή) means: to interest one's self in a serious manner.

He tells how necessary it was for him to write about "κοινῆς σωτηρία" or "the common salvation" which means in Greek "the salvation belonging to the generality". The Greek word "κοινῆς" (the common) when used by the Jews means unhallowed, profane, and Levitically unclean.

Jude "exhorts" (παρακαλέω; to beg, encourage or teach) us to continue to be faithful and contend (ἐπαγωνίζομαι; fight or defend) the faith which was once delivered (παραδίδωμι; given or told of verbally) to the saints (ἅγιος; a title meaning "selected by God" claimed by Israelites in the old testament which was transferred to Christians in the N.T.).


1:4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

1:4 παρεισέδυσαν γάρ τινες ἄνθρωποι οἱ πάλαι προγεγραμμένοι εἰς τοῦτο τὸ κρῖμα, ἀσεβεῖς, τὴν τοῦ Θεοῦ ἡμῶν χάριν μετατιθέντες εἰς ἀσέλγειαν, καὶ τὸν μόνον δεσπότην Θεὸν, καὶ Κύριον ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦν Χριστὸν ἀρνούμενοι

Verse 4 says that certain (τις or some) men "crept in unawares" (παρεισδύ(ν)ω or entered secretly, slipped in stealthily; stole in) who were "before of old ordained to this condemnation" (πάλαι προγεγραμμένοι εἰς τοῦτο τὸ κρῖμα); which means designated before hand (in the scriptures of the O.T.) long ago to the punishment of God.

They were "ungodly men" (ἀσεβής; destitute of reverential awe towards God, condemning God, impious).

They used God's grace as an excuse for their lasciviousness (ἀσέλγεια which is unbridled lust, excess, licentiousness, lasciviousness, wantonness, outrageousness, shamelessness, insolence) and denied the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.


1:5 I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.

1:5 ὑπομνῆσαι δὲ ὑμᾶς βούλομαι, εἰδότας ὑμᾶς ἅπαξ τοῦτο, ὅτι ὁ Κύριος λαὸν ἐκ γῆς Αἰγύπτου σώσας, τὸ δεύτερον τοὺς μὴ πιστεύσαντας ἀπώλεσεν

The phrase "put you in remembrance" (ὑπομιμνῄσκω) means to admonish, to warn.

In this verse Jude is saying: I will warn you of what you used to know, that after God rescued His people from Egypt He destroyed those who did not believe.


1:6 And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.

1:6 ἀγγέλους τε τοὺς μὴ τηρήσαντας τὴν ἑαυτῶν ἀρχὴν, ἀλλὰ ἀπολιπόντας τὸ ἴδιον οἰκητήριον, εἰς κρίσιν μεγάλης ἡμέρας, δεσμοῖς ἀϊδίοις ὑπὸ ζόφον τετήρηκεν

An angel (ἄγγελος) is a messenger, envoy, one who is sent, a messenger from God. Certain of the angels have proved faithless to the trust committed to them by God, and have given themselves up to sin.

First estate (ἀρχή) means the first place, principality, rule, magistracy, office given charge of angels and demons.

Habitation (οἰκητήριον) is a dwelling-place.

What Jude is referring to in this verse is Genesis 6:2 where God's word tells us that fallen angels saw the daughters of men, and took them as wives. We know that "sons of God" means "fallen angels" because the title "sons of God" (בֵּן אֱלֹהִים) is given in the Old Testament to angels. The fallen angels left their own habitation (which was Heaven) and took the daughters of men as wives. The fallen angels had children with the daughters of men and there were giants in those days, then God destroyed them in Noah's flood.

When Jude says "he hath reserved" (τηρέω) he means the fallen angels must undergo being bound in chains (the word "chains" (δεσμός) means a band or bond) in the darkness (ζόφος) of the nether world until Judgement Day.


1:7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.

1:7 ὡς Σόδομα καὶ Γόμοῤῥα, καὶ αἱ περὶ αὐτὰς πόλεις τὸν ὅμοιον τούτοις τρόπον ἐκπορνεύσασαι, καὶ ἀπελθοῦσαι ὀπίσω σαρκὸς ἑτέρας, πρόκεινται δεῖγμα, πυρὸς αἰωνίου δίκην ὑπέχουσαι


Even as (ὡς which means like) Sodom (Σόδομα which means "Burning" was a city destroyed by the Lord raining fire and brimstone on it) and Gomorrha (Γόμορρα which means "Submersion" was a city in eastern part of Judah that was destroyed when the Lord rained fire and brimstone on it; now covered by the Dead Sea)

and the cities about (περί or around) them in a like (ὅμοιος which means corresponding or equivalent to, the same as) manner (τρόπος or way),

giving themselves over to fornication (ἐκπορνεύω which means "to go a whoring")

and going after strange (ἕτερος or another: i.e. one not of the same nature, form, class, kind, different) flesh (σάρξ in this context means to follow after the flesh, the word is used of those who are on the search for persons with whom they can gratify their lust),

are set forth for (πρόκειμαι or to be placed before the eyes, to lie in sight; to stand forth) an example.

suffering the vengence of eternal fire

Like Sodom and Gomorrha and the cities near them that acted in the same way, fornicating and seeking strange flesh (this is referencing the homosexuality of Sodom and Gomorrha), are set as an example suffering the justice of eternal fire.


1:8 Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.

1:8 Ὁμοίως μέντοι καὶ οὗτοι ἐνυπνιαζόμενοι σάρκα μὲν μιαίνουσιν, κυριότητα δὲ ἀθετοῦσι, δόξας δὲ βλασφημοῦσιν

Like the fallen angels and Sodom and Gomorrha these "[filthy] dreamers" (ἐνυπνιάζομαι which are beguiled with sensual images and carried away to an impious course of conduct) defile (μιαίνω or contaminate with sins) the flesh,

despise (ἀθετέω or reject, refuse, slight) dominion (κυριότης which is power lordship; in the N.T.: one who possess dominion)

and speak evil (βλασφημέω) specifically of those who by contemptuous speech intentionally come short of the reverence due to God or to sacred things.

of dignities (δόξα which is the majesty (glory) of angels, as apparent in their exterior brightness)


1:9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.

1:9 ὁ δὲ Μιχαὴλ ὁ ἀρχάγγελος ὅτε τῷ διαβόλῳ διακρινόμενος διελέγετο περὶ τοῦ Μωσέως σώματος, οὐκ ἐτόλμησεν κρίσιν ἐπενεγκεῖν βλασφημίας, ἀλλ᾽ εἶπεν, Ἐπιτιμήσαι σοι Κύριος

Michael (Μιχαήλ) meaning "who is like God" was the first of the chief princes of archangels who is supposed to be the guardian angel of the Israelites

The archangel (ἀρχάγγελος) means chief of the angels; The O.T. Jews recognized several classes of angels. Some of them believed there to be four archangels but the majority believed there to be seven.

Contend (or διακρίνω) means to seperate one's self in a hostile spirit, to oppose, strive with, dispute.

Disputed (διαλέγομαι) means argued.

Moses (Μωϋσῆς) means "drawing out" was the legislator of the Jewish people and in a certain sense the founder of the Jewish religion. He wrote the first five books of The Bible, commonly referred to as the Books of Moses.

Durst (τολμάω) is not to dread or shun through fear.

Bring against him (ἐπιφέρω) means to bring forward.

A railing (βλασφημία) means slander, detraction, speech injurious, to another's good name.

Accusation (or κρίσις) means judgment; opinion or decision given concerning anything; especially concerning justice and injustice, right or wrong.

Rebuke (or ἐπιτιμάω) is to reprimand in order to curb one's ferocity or violence.

In this verse Michael the archangel shows us how to deal with evil; order it out in the name of the Lord. The reason the devil was arguing with Michael about the body of Moses was because Moses was transfigured so the devil wanted his body to desecrate it.


1:10 But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.

1:10 Οὗτοι δὲ ὅσα μὲν οὐκ οἴδασιν, βλασφημοῦσιν ὅσα δὲ φυσικῶς ὡς τὰ ἄλογα ζῶα ἐπίστανται, ἐν τούτοις φθείρονται

As (ὡς) means like.

Brute (ἄλογος) means destitute of reason.

Beasts (ζῷον) meaning animals.

They corrupt themselves (φθείρω) is to be destroyed, to perish, by a thing.

These people speak evil of things they don't know about (speaking of Christ) and act as savage animals corrupting themselves with homosexuality.


1:11 Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.

1:11 Οὐαὶ αὐτοῖς, ὅτι τῇ ὁδῷ τοῦ Κάϊν ἐπορεύθησαν, καὶ τῇ πλάνῃ τοῦ Βαλαὰμ μισθοῦ ἐξεχύθησαν, καὶ τῇ ἀντιλογίᾳ τοῦ Κορὲ ἀπώλοντο

Woe unto them (Οὐαὶ αὐτοῖς,) is an expression of grief that basically means they will be sorry.

They have gone (πορεύω) as in to imitate one, to follow his ways.

In the way (ὁδός) is a metaphor meaning a way (i.e. a manner) of thinking, feeling, deciding

Cain (Κάϊν) which means "maker: fabricator (literally smith)" was the first born of Eve, who slew his brother, Abel

Ran greedily after the error (ἐκχέω πλάνη) means they gave themselves up to wickedness.

Balaam (Βαλαάμ) which means "perhaps" was a native of Pethor a city in Mesopotamia, endued by God with prophetic power. He was hired by Balak to curse the Israelites; and influenced by the love of reward, he wished to gratify Balak; but he was compelled by God's power to bless them. Hence later the Jews saw him as a most abandoned deceiver.

In the gainsaying (ἀντιλογία) means rebellion.

Core (In the O.T. called Korah) (Κόρε or קֹרַח meaning "baldness") was a man who, with others, rebelled against Moses.

This verse is saying they will have regrets because they have followed Cain (Genesis 4:8) by sinning and have given themselves up to wickedness of Balaam (Numbers 22:18) for a price and are destroyed in the rebellion of Core (Numbers 16:1-3).


1:12 These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;

1:12 οὗτοί εἰσιν ἐν ταῖς ἀγάπαις ὑμῶν, σπιλάδες, συνευωχούμενοι, ἀφόβως ἑαυτοὺς ποιμαίνοντες νεφέλαι ἄνυδροι, ὑπὸ ἀνέμων περιφερόμεναι, δένδρα φθινοπωρινὰ, ἄκαρπα, δὶς ἀποθανόντα, ἐκριζωθέντα

Spots (σπιλάς) are a rock in the sea, ledge, reef; metaphor of men who by their conduct damage others morally, wreck them as it were

Feasts of charity (ἀγάπη) are feasts expressing and fostering mutual love which used to be held by Christians before the celebration of the Lord's Supper and at which the poorer Christians mingled with the wealthier and partook in common with the rest of food provided at the expense of the wealthy.

Clouds they are without water (νεφέλη ἄνυδρος) refers to waterless clouds which promise rain but yield none.

Whose fruit withereth (φθινοπωρινός) are dry leafless and without fruit; metaphor of unfruitful worthless men.

Without fruit (ἄκαρπος) metaphor meaning barren, not yeilding what it ought to yield

Twice dead (δίς ἀποθνῄσκω) means trees which dry up; spoken of seeds which rot when planted.

Plucked up by the roots (ἐκριζόω) means to root out.

Verse 12 is a message about pretending. "These are spots in your feasts of charity" means there are traps. The feasts are not genuinely out of love but out of vanity. The vanity will bring in no fruit, the fake feasts of charity will be useless and have no reward."Twice dead" tells us refers to Matthew 10:28. Instead of wasting time trying to appear good to man one should be concerned with pleasing God. "Plucked up by the roots" tells us how God will get rid of pretenders.


1:13 Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.

1:13 κύματα ἄγρια θαλάσσης, ἐπαφρίζοντα τὰς ἑαυτῶν αἰσχύνας, ἀστέρες πλανῆται, οἷς ὁ ζόφος τοῦ σκότους εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα τετήρηται

Raging waves of the sea (κύματα ἄγρια θαλάσσης,) means fierce, untamed swelling waves of the sea.

Foaming out their own shame (ἐπαφρίζοντα τὰς ἑαυτῶν αἰσχύνας,) means exhibiting a vile passion.

Wandering stars (ἀστέρες πλανῆται,) refers to fallen angels who will be in the blackness of darkness forever.


1:14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,

1:14 προεφήτευσεν δὲ καὶ τούτοις ἕβδομος ἀπὸ Ἀδὰμ Ἑνὼχ, λέγων, Ἰδοὺ ἦλθε Κύριος ἐν μυριάσιν ἁγίαις αὑτοῦ,

Enoch (Ἑνώχ meaning "dedicated") was the son of Jared and father of Methuselah.

Adam (Ἀδάμ meaning "ruddy or red in the face" or "man") was the man formed by God to live with his wife Eve in the Garden of Eden.

Saints (ἅγιος) means, in this context: angels.

This verse is refering to Matthew 24:31.


1:15 To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.

1:15 ποιῆσαι κρίσιν κατὰ πάντων, καὶ ἐξελέγξαι πάντας τοὺς ἀσεβεῖς αὐτῶν, περὶ πάντων τῶν ἔργων ἀσεβείας αὑτῶν ὧν ἠσέβησαν, καὶ περὶ πάντων τῶν σκληρῶν ὧν ἐλάλησαν κατ᾽ αὐτοῦ ἁμαρτωλοὶ ἀσεβεῖς


Convince (ἐξελέγχω) means to prove to be in the wrong, or convict.

Deeds (ἔργον) in this context are works deviod of that life which has its source in God, or works so to speak unwrought, which at the last judgement will fail of the approval of God and of all reward.

When Jude says "which they have ungodly committed" (ἀσεβέω) he means impious acts.

Their hard [speeches] (σκληρός) refers to speaking hard and bitter things against one.

Sinners (ἁμαρτωλός) in this context means pre-eminently sinful, especially wicked.

This verse tells us what the Lord and His angels are going to do when they come to Earth. He will convict the wicked of all their impious acts and blasphemy.


1:16 These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage.

1:16 οὗτοί εἰσιν γογγυσταὶ, μεμψίμοιροι, κατὰ τὰς ἐπιθυμίας αὑτῶν πορευόμενοι, καὶ τὸ στόμα αὐτῶν λαλεῖ ὑπέρογκα, θαυμάζοντες πρόσωπα, ὠφελείας χάριν

These are murmurers (or in Greek γογγυστής) refers to people who discontendedly complain against God.

Complainers (or μεμψίμοιρος) speaks of people who were complaining of their lot; people who were querulous, and discontented.

Walking after their own lusts (ἐπιθυμία) means living in desire, craving, longing for what is forbidden.

Great swelling [words] (ὑπέρογκος) is a metaphor of immoderate, extravagant words, and is an expression of arrogance.

Having men's persons (πρόσωπον) is refering to the appearance one presents by his wealth or poverty, his rank or low condition; outward circumstances, external condition; so used in expressions which denote to regard the person in one's judgment and treatment of men.

In admiration (θαυμάζω) means to admire, pay regard to, one's external appearance, i.e. to be influenced by partiality.

Of advantage (ὠφέλεια) means usefulness, benefit, or profit.

This verse is refering to those who complain against God and are discontent with what they have. All they care about is their own perverted desires. They are boastful of themselves and flatter others to get their way.


1:17 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;

1:17 Ὑμεῖς δὲ ἀγαπητοὶ μνήσθητε τῶν ῥημάτων τῶν προειρημένων ὑπὸ τῶν ἀποστόλων τοῦ Κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ,

This verse is reminding us of the words which were spoken before (προλέγω meaning the words said beforehand i.e. before the event; so used in reference to prophecies) of the prophets (2 Peter 3:1-4).


1:18 How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.

1:18 ὅτι ἔλεγον ὑμῖν ὅτι ἐν ἐσχάτῳ χρόνῳ ἔσονται ἐμπαῖκται, κατὰ τὰς ἑαυτῶν ἐπιθυμίας πορευόμενοι τῶν ἀσεβειῶν

There should be (ἔσομαι) means to be found.

Mockers (ἐμπαῖκται) which means a derider, i.e. a false teacher or scoffer.

Who should walk (πορεύω) means to lead or order one's life.

This means you will find false teachers in the end time who will live their life chasing their sinful lusts.


1:19 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.

1:19 οὗτοί εἰσιν οἱ ἀποδιορίζοντες, ψυχικοὶ, πνεῦμα μὴ ἔχοντες

They who separate themselves (ἀποδιορίζω ἑαυτοῦ) refers to those who by their wickedness separate themselves from the living fellowship of Christians.

Sensual (ψυχικός) means governed by the breath; the sensuous nature with its subjection to appetite and passion (as though made up of nothing but breath).

Jude is telling us about the wicked men seperate themselves from Christians by their actions. Only their earthly desires matter. These men do not have Christ in them.


1:20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,

1:20 Ὑμεῖς δὲ, ἀγαπητοὶ, τῇ ἁγιωτάτῃ ὑμῶν πίστει ἐποικοδομοῦντες ἑαυτοὺς, ἐν πνεύματι ἁγίῳ προσευχόμενοι,

Beloved (ἀγαπητός) means esteemed, dear, favourite, or worthy of love.

Building (ἐποικοδομέω) to build upon, build up

This verse means we should not be like the wicked who are faithless and dont care about God and lack the Spirit, but that we should build ourselves up on our faith and believe and pray in the Holy Spirt.


1:21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

1:21 ἑαυτοὺς ἐν ἀγάπῃ Θεοῦ τηρήσατε, προσδεχόμενοι τὸ ἔλεος τοῦ Κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, εἰς ζωὴν αἰώνιον

Keep (τηρέω) means preserve or stand firm.

Look (προσδέχομαι) in this context means to expect or wait for.

Mercy (ἔλεος) refers to the mercy of Christ, whereby at his return to judgment he will bless true Christians with eternal life.

Unto eternal life (εἰς ζωὴν αἰώνιον) means to procure everlasting life

This means preserve yourself and stand firm in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to procure everlasting life.


1:22 And of some have compassion, making a difference:

1:22 καὶ οὓς μὲν ἐλεεῖτε διακρινόμενοι,

Compassion (ἐλεέω) means to have mercy on.

Making a difference (διακρίνω) means distinguishing and making a selection.

Jude is telling us to compassion on some of the wicked and that we should discern who, of the wicked, we should save with compassion.


1:23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.

1:23 οὓς δὲ ἐν φόβῳ σώζετε, ἐκ τοῦ πυρὸς ἁρπάζοντες, μισοῦντες καὶ τὸν ἀπὸ τῆς σαρκὸς ἐσπιλωμένον χιτῶνα

Save (σῴζω) from the punitive wrath of God at the judgement of the last day.

Fear (φόβος) means dread or terror.

Fire (πῦρ) is a metaphor for danger and destruction.

The garment (χιτών) is a tunic, an undergarment, usually worn next to the skin.

Spotted (σπιλόω) means defiled.

The flesh (σάρξ) is in this context: the animal nature with cravings which incite sin.

Jude is telling us to save the others by fear, being cautious not to be defiled by their wickedness, rescue them from danger of destruction; hating even their clothes which have been defiled by their sins.


1:24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

1:24 Τῷ δὲ δυναμένῳ φυλάξαι αὐτούς ἀπταίστους, καὶ στῆσαι κατενώπιον τῆς δόξης αὑτοῦ ἀμώμους ἐν ἀγαλλιάσει,

Jude closes up the book in the next two verses with a comforting message giving glory to Jesus Christ who is the only one can keep you from falling into sin and can present you faultless before the presence of God with exceeding joy


1:25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

1:25 μόνῳ σοφῷ Θεῷ σωτῆρι ἡμῶν δόξα καὶ μεγαλωσύνη, κράτος καὶ ἐξουσία, καὶ νῦν καὶ εἰς πάντας τοὺς αἰῶνας Ἀμήν Ἐπιστολὴ Ἰούδα καθολικὴ

Wise (σοφός) in this verse means wise in a philosophical sense as in forming the best plans and using the best means for their execution.

Glory (δόξα) refers to the kingly majesty which belongs to God.

Majesty (μεγαλωσύνη) means great ruler.

Dominion (κράτος) means force, might, power and strength.

Power (ἐξουσία) refers to the authority of God whose will and commands must be submitted to by others and obeyed.

Amen (ἀμήν) is a word to confirm or assert something meaning so it is, so be it or may it be fulfilled.

The message ends saying: To the only wise God, our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion, and power, both now and ever. Amen.