What is the context?
Jude turns from the conduct of the intruders to the response of his beloved readers. They should remember the apostles’ warnings about scoffers who follow ungodly desires. The divisive people he describes are worldly and lack the Spirit.
The positive response involves growing on the foundation of their holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keeping themselves in God’s love and awaiting Christ’s mercy. The Father, the Spirit and Jesus Christ are named within a life of faith, prayer and hope.
The readers also have responsibilities toward people caught in danger. They should show mercy to those who doubt, rescue others and exercise care while helping those affected by sin. The call to hate even the stained clothing expresses a serious rejection of the corruption while mercy remains part of the response.
How is this passage commonly understood?
Calvin and Wesley understand praying in the Spirit as prayer enabled and guided by God’s Spirit. The Pentecostal Assemblies of God also includes prayer in tongues within this expression; its Baptism in the Holy Spirit position paper cites Jude 20 and describes a prayer language as one element of praying in the Spirit. That explanation includes a particular spiritual gift without equating the entire phrase only with that gift.
The wording and grouping of verses 22–23 differ among surviving texts, as the USCCB note explains. Calvin’s comments work with two groups and emphasize gentleness toward some and stronger correction for others. Wesley describes help suited to differing needs, with care against being drawn into sin. The BSB used here names mercy toward doubters, rescue from the fire and mercy tempered with fear. The shared concern is restoration with discernment.
Where does this fit in God's plan?
Zechariah 3:1–5 gives a useful biblical parallel. Joshua the high priest is described as a firebrand rescued from the fire; his filthy clothes are removed as God takes away his iniquity. Jude’s pictures of rescue and stained clothing echo that combination of mercy and cleansing. This is a connection between the images, rather than an identification of every person in Jude with Joshua. God’s mercy rescues people from corruption and calls them out of it.
What is our position?
We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.