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A Call to Persevere
Jude urges his readers to persevere by remembering apostolic teaching, recognising harmful influences, strengthening their faith, and responding carefully to different people who are in spiritual danger.
Understanding the passage
The setting of these words
This part of Jude is written as direct instruction within a letter. The writer addresses the readers as “beloved”, recalls what the apostles said beforehand, then gives commands about faith, prayer, God’s love, mercy, compassion, fear, and moral caution. The passage moves from warning to practical response.
Jude 1:17–23Main takeaway
Believers are called to remember true teaching, remain in God’s love, and help others wisely and carefully.
Follow the letter’s teaching
01Remember the warningJude begins with a call to remember words already spoken by the apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Explanation
Jude begins with a call to remember words already spoken by the apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ. Their warning was that mockers would come “in the last time”, following ungodly lusts. This helps readers see that such behaviour is not unexpected and should be recognised for what it is.
02Recognise the danger clearlyJude describes these people in strong terms. They cause divisions, are sensual, and do not have the Spirit.
Explanation
Jude describes these people in strong terms. They cause divisions, are sensual, and do not have the Spirit. In this passage, the problem is not mere disagreement. Jude points to a pattern of living and influence that damages the community and stands apart from the Spirit.
03Keep growing in faith and prayerAfter the warning, Jude turns to what the beloved should do. They are to keep building themselves up on their most holy faith and to pray in the Holy Spirit.
Explanation
After the warning, Jude turns to what the beloved should do. They are to keep building themselves up on their most holy faith and to pray in the Holy Spirit. The image of building suggests active strengthening, not standing still or drifting.
04Stay in God’s love and look aheadJude tells them to keep themselves in God’s love while looking for the mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.
Explanation
Jude tells them to keep themselves in God’s love while looking for the mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life. The passage joins present faithfulness with future hope. God’s love is where they are to remain, and Christ’s mercy is what they are to await.
05Help others with care and discernmentJude gives more than one way to respond to people in danger. Some need compassion. Others are described with urgent rescue language, “snatching them out of the fire”, yet even this must be done “with fear”, hating what is stained by the flesh.
Explanation
Jude gives more than one way to respond to people in danger. Some need compassion. Others are described with urgent rescue language, “snatching them out of the fire”, yet even this must be done “with fear”, hating what is stained by the flesh. Compassion and caution belong together here.
Questions to explore
01What are the readers told to remember, and why does that matter in this passage?
02Which actions are the beloved told to keep doing for their own perseverance?
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Jude 1:17–23
17But you, beloved, remember the words which have been spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ.
18They said to you, “In the last time there will be mockers, walking after their own ungodly lusts.”
19These are those who cause divisions and are sensual, not having the Spirit.
20But you, beloved, keep building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit.
21Keep yourselves in God’s love, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.
22On some have compassion, making a distinction,
23and some save, snatching them out of the fire with fear, hating even the clothing stained by the flesh.