Jude 1:2Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

He desires mercy, peace, and love to be multiplied to them. Mercy, because we have been called by God and received as His servants through the compassion of His mercy. Peace, because God and the Father Himself has also granted it to us, reconciling us to Himself through His Son Jesus Christ, though we had offended Him. Love, because the only-begotten Son of God delivered Himself to death for us out of love for us.

Therefore the Apostle prays that these gifts may be abundant among the faithful, just as David cries to the Lord: "Continue Your mercy to those who know You" (Ps 35:11). Moved by these saving examples, we also, with an unfeigned disposition toward our neighbor, must live worthily of Him who called us.

Jude added love, which he saw was lacking among the people.

Mercy, because we have been called through the depths of God’s mercy and received by Him as His servants. Peace, because God the Father Himself has given it to us through His Son Jesus Christ, Who called us and reconciled us to Himself. Love, because out of love for us His Only-begotten Son was delivered to death on our behalf.

Mercy, because we have been called by God and received as His servants through the compassion of His mercy. Peace, because God Himself, the Father, has given it to us, reconciling us to Himself through His Son Jesus Christ, though we had offended Him. Love, because “the Only-begotten Son of God gave Himself over to death for us out of love for us.” Therefore the Apostle prays that these gifts may abound among believers (Theophylact).

Although the Epistle of the holy Apostle Jude consists of one continuous discourse and concerns only one subject, the following separate points may be kept in mind for better assimilation and more convenient remembrance of its contents.

First, the introduction. In it the writer, calling himself "a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James," greets his readers with the wish that "mercy, peace, and love may be multiplied" to them. He also sets forth the reasons for writing the Epistle, saying that, "having all diligence to write to them about the common salvation, he found it necessary to write to them an exhortation to contend for the faith once delivered to the saints, for certain men have crept in," and so forth.

In the Apostle’s greeting, such great Christian petitions are expressed in brief words that they could serve as a model for one of the sacred liturgical blessings. There grace, or mercy, is asked of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit. These are expressed first of all in peace with God, then in peace of conscience, and in peace with all men. Compare 2 Cor 13:13.

In this greeting the Apostle prayerfully wishes believers an increase of the gifts of grace. They have already received this grace. They have been counted worthy of God’s mercy toward them, shown in the indication of the path to salvation. They have tasted the sweetness of peace, or reconciliation with God, and of God’s love toward them, poured into their hearts by the Holy Spirit (Rom 5:5). The Apostle wishes that these gifts of God’s grace not only be preserved in them, but also increase.