Jude 1:21
What does Jude 1:21 mean?
A plain-English look at Jude 1:21 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Jude 1:21 means
Jude commands believers to keep themselves in the love of God. This does not mean earning God’s love, but remaining within its warmth through trusting obedience. They are to continue looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. Present vigilance is fueled by future hope. Mercy sustains us now and will usher us into life forever. God’s love, Christ’s mercy, and eternal life frame Christian perseverance. When facing teachers who make sin seem harmless, believers remain by clinging to God’s love, praying for sustaining mercy, and keeping their eyes on the promised end where Jesus receives His people blameless and joyful.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for life eternal through the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862yourselves in the love of God keep ye, waiting for the kindness of our Lord Jesus Christ--to life age-during;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, unto life everlasting.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890keep yourselves in the love ofGod, awaiting the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
Context
This verse completes the internal focus begun in verse 20. Grounded on the faith and empowered in prayer, believers are to abide in God’s love and adopt a forward gaze to Christ’s mercy bringing eternal life. The next two verses (22–23) describe outward-facing mercy: tending to doubters and rescuing those in grave danger, with careful self-watch. The inner life of faith thus overflows in restorative ministry, even amid the threats Jude has described.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Job 14:14
If a man die, shall he liveagain? All the days of my warfare would I wait, Till my release should come.
- Matthew 24:42
Watch therefore: for ye know not on what day your Lord cometh.
- Romans 5:5
and hope putteth not to shame; because the love of God hath been shed abroad in our hearts through the Holy Spirit which was given unto us.
- 2 Peter 3:12
looking for and earnestly desiring the coming of the day of God, by reason of which the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
- 2 Timothy 1:18
(the Lord grant unto him to find mercy of the Lord in that day); and in how many things he ministered at Ephesus, thou knowest very well.
- 2 Timothy 1:16
The Lord grant mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus: for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain;
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