Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Jude 1:20

"But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit," — Jude 1:20 (ASV)

The repetition (cf. v.17) of “dear friends” (lit., “beloved”; GK 28) personalizes the message and redirects attention back from his opponents to the believers. Now he gives them a fourfold exhortation for their spiritual profit.

(1) Christians are to be “build [themselves] up” (GK 2224) in their “most holy faith.” In the NT “the faith” is the orthodox body of truth and practice from the apostles (see comment on v.3). It is “most holy” because the Spirit gave it concerning God’s “holy servant Jesus” (Acts 4:27, 30). Christians build themselves by having fellowship with the Lord and his people, by continuing in the Gospel and in the Word of God, and by worshiping—especially by remembering the Lord at his table.

(2) Christians are to be praying (GK 4667) “in the Holy Spirit” (cf. Romans 8:26– 27; Galatians 4:6; Ephesians 6:18). Because all believers have the Spirit, they are to pray according to the Spirit’s will (set forth in the written Word and made known by inner promptings) to accomplish God’s work by God’s power.

(3) Christians are to “keep [themselves] in God’s love” (v.21; cf. vv.1–2).

The realm of God’s love is in Jesus Christ; those who depart from Christ depart from the love of God. Those who reject the commands of Jesus reject his love (cf. Jn 15:10).

(4) Christians are to keep their attention fixed on the “mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ [that brings them] to eternal life.” True eschatology keeps present reality in focus. The mention of mercy reminds Christians that salvation is never a matter of good works and that only in Christ is our hope of salvation (cf. comment on v.3). “Eternal life” in this verse refers to the future aspects of the presently enjoyed salvation.