Jude 1:1-2 Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ… I. THE APOSTOLIC BENEDICTION. St. Jude has given the blessing in a fuller form than any of his brethren, superadding the benefits of Christian "love" to the other subjects of the holy wish. Observe that in this benediction the apostles follow the same order as in the text — I mean that "mercy" or "grace" is always first. And we may well perceive the absolute necessity of this. "Mercy" must form to us the beginning of every blessing. "Mercy" therefore is the first object of our concern; mercy to forgive; to rescue from perishing; to raise to favour; and to render us at last, by its purifying influence, worthy of the friendship of that gracious Being who freely bestows it. It is here we find the only source of "peace," which begins in our being reconciled to God; and the wisdom of its commencing there appears from the fact that the mind, with its many fears and hopes, has no ground whereon to rest but in union with God. Peace under the remembrance of sin, for sin is pardoned; under the visitations of adversity, for the paternal favour turns them all to present improvement and endless good; under the solemn views of the future world, for the judgment is to be an acquittal and eternity of blessedness to the children of God. The man who has this Divine tranquillity reigning in his soul will be eager to preserve the unity of kind affection with his brethren. He is in the best state for cultivating the fruits of Christian "love." He cannot hold fellowship with "the things above" without drawing down "the wisdom" that is as "peaceable and gentle" as it is "pure." II. THE LIMITATIONS within which the benediction is here pronounced. The persons on whom exclusively it is pronounced are described by decided traits of character. Every one that hears the gospel is "called." But it is not upon every one that the "call" produces its effect. As giving an abridged view of what is required in the way of evidence on this subject, the next qualification mentioned may safely be taken. For to be "preserved in Christ Jesus" denotes perseverance in every excellence. It describes at once constancy of religious profession and devotedness of religious obedience, trust in the author of our salvation, and endeavour to resemble Him. Now, consider for what use these views of character are here detailed. They are of use for determining on whom the apostolical benediction was pronounced. Freely as the blessings of the gospel are offered, never is the offer of them to conceal the great distinctions of moral truth and duty. Benedictions are to descend on ground fitted to receive them; otherwise there will spring up no real good. Let no man, therefore, soothe himself with the promises of "mercy" who is conscious that, instead of being "sanctified" under the influence of the gospel, he is living in the wilful practice of sin. (W. Muir, D. D.) Parallel Verses 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: |
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