What does Jude 1:21 mean?

Explanation

Jude 1:21 encourages believers to maintain a steadfast, loving relationship with God through the anticipation of Jesus Christ's mercy that leads to eternal life.

The verse emphasizes the need for active engagement in the Christian faith, as it is not just about believing in God but also about actively remaining in His love.

This means consistently living in a way that is pleasing to God, obeying His commandments, and nurturing one's faith through spiritual practices such as prayer, worship, and reading the Scriptures.

In the context of this verse, the love of God is understood to be both the love that God extends to humanity and the love that believers must show to God and to one another.

Looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ refers to the expectation of Christ's return and the hope for His compassion and forgiveness that leads to salvation and eternal life.

Historical Context

The Epistle of Jude, from which this verse originates, is traditionally attributed to Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James.

The book is a brief but powerful letter written to early Christians facing heresies and false teachings. During that time, certain individuals had infiltrated the Christian community and were leading people astray with their immoral behavior and denial of Jesus Christ as their master and Lord.

The epistle is thought to have been written in the late first century AD, a pivotal time for the emergent Church coping with internal and external challenges.

It was a period of developing doctrine, and the apostolic leaders, like Jude, were urging the faithful to contend for the faith that was delivered to the saints amid a world of competing ideologies and theologies.

Theological Insights

From a theological standpoint, the verse Jude 1:21 can be interpreted in several ways.

Some view it as a testament to the importance of perseverance in grace, a call to remain steadfast in the faith despite trials and temptations.

In Reformed theology, it might be seen as part of the doctrine of perseverance of the saints, where the true believers will continue in faith until the end.

Arminian theology might place emphasis on human free will and responsibility in maintaining this relationship with God.

Salvation is understood in this context as a dynamic process, involving faith, love, and hope, a future-oriented salvation where mercy at Christ's coming plays a central role. The idea of actively looking for Christ's return is significant in eschatological discussions within Christian theology.

Practical Applications

This verse can be applied in daily life through various spiritual disciplines. Believers can:

• Engage in regular prayer and meditation to remain connected with God's love.
• Read and study the Bible to deepen their understanding of God's word.
• Serve others in the community, demonstrating God's love through actions.
• Attend worship services and fellowship with other believers to strengthen their faith.
• Confess sins and seek God's mercy regularly, remembering His promise of forgiveness.
• Cultivate an attitude of expectancy and hope for Jesus' return, which motivates moral living and perseverance.

Cross-References

• Romans 8:35-39 - Nothing can separate believers from the love of God.
• John 15:9 - Jesus exhorts His followers to remain in His love.
• 1 Corinthians 15:58 - Believers are called to be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in God's work.
• Matthew 24:42 - The instruction to watch for the Lord's coming.
• Hebrews 4:16 - Encouragement to approach God's throne of grace to find mercy.

Language Study

The original Greek language provides depth to the interpretation of Jude 1:21:

• "Keep yourselves" translates from τηρεῖσθε (tēreisthe), which is a middle voice verb implying an active role in guarding or holding fast to something.
• "In the love of God" employs the preposition ἐν (en) indicating a state of being within or surrounded by the love of God.
• "Looking for" comes from προσδεχόμενοι (prosdechomenoi), which suggests an anticipatory waiting or expectation.
• "The mercy" refers to ἔλεος (eleos), the kindness or goodwill towards the miserable and afflicted, with a desire to help them.
• "Eternal life" is translated from ζωὴν αἰώνιον (zōēn aiōnion), denoting the quality and continuity of life that is the attribute of God.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Comparatively, the seeking of mercy and divine love is a theme present in many religious traditions.

In ancient mythologies, immortality was often something to be sought after or earned, such as in the Greek myth of Tantalus or the quest for the Elixir of Life in Chinese mythology.

In Judaism, the loving-kindness (hesed) of God is a central concept, with parallels in the expression of divine love and faithfulness to God's covenant. In Islam, seeking the mercy of Allah is also a key tenet, with an emphasis on God's compassion and forgiveness.

Scientific Perspectives

The concept of eternal life in Jude 1:21 is metaphysical, and thus, it does not have a direct scientific counterpart.

However, the human quest for meaning and the psychological impact of hope and expectation on human behavior are well-documented in psychological literature.

The sense of belonging and love, as discussed in this verse, positively contributes to mental well-being and social stability from a sociological and psychological perspective.

Commentaries

Various experts and Bible commentators have given their insights on Jude 1:21:

• Matthew Henry's Commentary emphasizes the need for diligent perseverance in faith, pointing to the need to build up oneself in the most holy faith as a precursor to keeping oneself in the love of God.
• The Expositor's Bible Commentary highlights the reciprocal nature of the believer's relationship with God, they are to keep themselves in God's love as God keeps them from stumbling.
• Warren Wiersbe's "Be Alert" commentary suggests that while believers are kept by the power of God, it is their responsibility to keep themselves in the love of God by obeying His Word and believing His promises.
• John Gill's Exposition of the Bible explains that looking for the mercy of Christ does not dismiss obedience but rather encourages a hopeful expectation of salvation through Christ's second coming.