Jude 1:1 kjv
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:
Jude 1:1 nkjv
Jude, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, To those who are called, sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ:
Jude 1:1 niv
Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James, To those who have been called, who are loved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ:
Jude 1:1 esv
Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James, To those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ:
Jude 1:1 nlt
This letter is from Jude, a slave of Jesus Christ and a brother of James. I am writing to all who have been called by God the Father, who loves you and keeps you safe in the care of Jesus Christ.
Jude 1 1 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Rom 1:1 | Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle... | Paul's self-identification as a servant. |
| Phil 1:1 | Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus... | Apostles as doulos (bondservants). |
| Tit 1:1 | Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ... | Emphasis on servitude to God and Christ. |
| Gal 1:10 | For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ. | The nature of a true servant of Christ. |
| Mt 13:55 | Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? | Jude, brother of James, implied as Jesus' kin. |
| Mk 6:3 | Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? | Specific mention of Judas as Jesus' brother. |
| 1 Cor 1:9 | God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son... | Divine nature of the calling. |
| Rom 8:28 | And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. | The purpose and scope of God's calling. |
| Rom 8:30 | And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. | God's comprehensive plan from calling to glory. |
| 2 Tim 1:9 | ...who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace... | The grace-based nature of God's holy calling. |
| 1 Pet 2:9 | But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. | The new identity and purpose given by calling. |
| Jn 3:16 | For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son... | God's profound love as motivation for giving. |
| Rom 5:8 | But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. | The demonstration of God's love for humanity. |
| Eph 2:4-5 | But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ... | God's love as the source of spiritual life. |
| 1 Jn 4:9-10 | In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. | God's initiatory, redemptive love. |
| Jn 10:28 | I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. | Christ's keeping power guarantees security. |
| Jn 17:11-12 | Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me... I have guarded them and not one of them has perished... | Jesus' prayer for the Father to keep believers. |
| 1 Pet 1:5 | ...who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. | Divine power actively preserving believers. |
| Php 1:6 | And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. | God's faithfulness to complete His work. |
| 2 Tim 4:18 | The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. | Assurance of ultimate deliverance by the Lord. |
| Pss 121:7-8 | The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore. | God's omnipresent protection and preservation. |
| Is 41:10 | Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. | God's presence, help, and upholding hand. |
| Ps 37:28 | For the Lord loves justice; he will not forsake his saints. They are preserved forever... | God's perpetual preservation of His people. |
Jude 1 verses
Jude 1 1 Meaning
Jude 1:1 introduces the author and his intended audience. It presents Jude, identifying himself humbly as "a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James," writing to believers who are described by three defining characteristics: they are divinely "called," deeply "beloved in God the Father," and supernaturally "kept for Jesus Christ." This foundational verse immediately establishes the divine security and precious identity of true believers, setting the stage for the subsequent warnings against apostasy.
Jude 1 1 Context
The Epistle of Jude is a succinct and urgent letter penned to Christians grappling with the insidious infiltration of false teachers within their communities. These "godless men" were twisting the grace of God into a license for immorality, denying Christ's Lordship, and disrupting fellowship. Against this backdrop, Jude's opening verse is crucial. It immediately solidifies the recipients' identity and security, not in their own strength or theological prowess, but in God's sovereign actions concerning them. By reminding them they are "called," "beloved," and "kept," Jude aims to instill confidence and assurance, counteracting the unsettling influence of the deceivers. This robust foundation prepares the readers to stand firm and contend earnestly for the faith against error, which is the letter's central theme. Historically, this letter addresses a universal and recurring challenge to the Church: internal apostasy and moral decay fueled by false doctrines.
Jude 1 1 Word analysis
- Jude (Gk: Ioudas): The common Greek form of the Hebrew name Judah. Not to be confused with Judas Iscariot. Traditionally understood as a brother of Jesus (Mk 6:3; Mt 13:55), and therefore the brother of James, a prominent leader of the Jerusalem church (Gal 2:9). His self-identification as a "servant" rather than "brother of Jesus" indicates profound humility and a shift from a biological relationship to a spiritual one, emphasizing the unique lordship of Christ over family ties.
- a servant (Gk: doulos): Literally, a "bondservant" or "slave." This is a significant title, not merely indicating a paid employee but one wholly owned and devoted to a master. It signifies absolute submission, obedience, and belonging. Prominent apostles like Paul (Rom 1:1, Phil 1:1, Tit 1:1) and Peter (2 Pet 1:1) similarly adopted this title, highlighting their complete allegiance to Christ. This challenges human autonomy and underscores Christ's absolute authority.
- of Jesus Christ: This specifies the Master whom Jude serves. It points directly to Christ's divine authority and supreme Lordship. Serving "Jesus Christ" encapsulates service to God Himself, as Christ is God incarnate (Jn 1:1, 14; Col 1:15-17).
- and brother: adelphos, referring to a literal sibling.
- of James: This identifies Jude's brother as James, widely believed to be James, the half-brother of Jesus and leader of the Jerusalem church, author of the Epistle of James, and a respected pillar of the early church (Acts 15; Gal 2:9). This connection likely adds apostolic authority and credibility to Jude's brief, urgent message. It grounds his appeal not on abstract authority but on tangible relationships within the foundational apostolic community.
- To those who are called (Gk: klētois): A central theological concept referring to God's effectual call, not a general invitation. It is a divine summons that effectively sets individuals apart for a special relationship with God (Rom 8:28, 30; 1 Cor 1:9). It is God's initiative in salvation, distinguishing believers from unbelievers and establishing their unique identity and purpose. This "calling" establishes the foundation of their faith and spiritual standing.
- beloved (Gk: ēgapēmenois): A perfect participle, meaning they have been and continue to be loved. This signifies a permanent, ongoing state of divine affection. It refers to God's agape love – unconditional, sacrificial, and steadfast (Rom 5:8; Eph 2:4). It emphasizes that their standing is not based on their worthiness but on God's character.
- in God the Father: This phrase clarifies the source and sphere of their belovedness. It indicates an intimate, existential relationship within the divine presence and power of the Father. This profound and secure relationship is the ultimate foundation of their existence and security.
- and kept (Gk: tetērēmenois): Another perfect participle, indicating they have been and continue to be guarded, preserved, or kept safe. This is God's active, divine preservation of believers from apostasy, spiritual danger, and final condemnation (1 Pet 1:5; Jn 10:28; 17:11). It highlights God's sovereignty and faithfulness in sustaining His people amidst external pressures and internal threats from false teaching. The passive voice ("are kept") underscores that it is God who does the keeping.
- for Jesus Christ: This phrase denotes the ultimate purpose and sphere of their preservation. They are kept by God the Father, and for Christ's possession, glorious return, and ultimate fellowship with Him. It connects their present security to their future destiny in Christ.
Jude 1 1 Bonus section
The language in Jude 1:1, especially "called," "beloved," and "kept," carries strong echoes of the divine protection and election seen throughout the Old Testament for Israel and is recontextualized for the New Testament church. The "keeping" motif is particularly significant given the immediate context of fighting apostasy. It highlights God's ultimate role in preserving His elect even when they might face strong temptations to abandon the faith. This verse thus stands as a theological reassurance against the anxiety of defection, emphasizing that salvation is less about human clinging and more about divine upholding.
Jude 1 1 Commentary
Jude 1:1 serves as a bedrock for Christian assurance amidst uncertainty. By framing Jude as a "servant" of Jesus, rather than relying on his familial tie to Jesus, the letter prioritizes the spiritual lordship of Christ over earthly relationships, setting a standard for humble service. The recipients are not defined by their struggles, but by God's definitive actions on their behalf: being divinely "called," unconditionally "beloved" by the Father, and actively "kept" by His power. This triple description of their identity ("called," "beloved," "kept") counters any false teaching that would undermine their security or shift the foundation of their salvation onto human merit or illicit liberty. It strongly implies a sovereign, unconditional work of God in the life of the believer. The fact that they are "kept for Jesus Christ" suggests a protective custody designed for their ultimate destiny in Him. This foundational truth about the believers' divine standing forms the basis for Jude's subsequent command to "contend earnestly for the faith," as their perseverance is rooted not in their own strength but in God's immutable faithfulness.