Jude 1-25
I see the whole of Jude’s epistle as being written to two groups of people – those who are new or weak in the faith and the leaders whose job it is to teach and encourage those who are weak. As to the first group, Jude 5 points to the Israelites in the wilderness who perished after being rescued from Egypt and in Jude 6 he speaks of angels who were taken from their high positions and were “kept in eternal chains”. These verses seem to be warnings to the weak not to wander off the true path of faith, but to humbly follow the leaders and the teachings that brought them to faith in the first place. That is, Jude is not preaching “once saved, always saved”! Then Jude goes on in Jude 7-19 to describe those “ungodly” persons, presumably to help the weak to see and recognize those who are in error and to avoid those ungodly people.
As to that second group of people, the leaders and teachers, the same verses noted above (vv. 5-19) provide solid ground for guiding the weak away from those worldly temptations. But I also see Jude 20-23 as being written directly to these leaders: build yourselves up and pray in the Spirit (v. 20), keep yourselves in the love of God (v. 21), have mercy on doubters (v. 22), save others and show mercy with fear (v. 23). And to break down this second group even further, I see verses 20 and 21a to be written to all of us who are strong in our faith – But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God… – while verses 22 and 23 are targeted to those who have teaching and leadership responsibilities. So let me reiterate Jude’s fundamental guidance to all of us: build yourselves up, pray in the Spirit, and keep yourselves in the love of God. It’s not too much to ask!
See also: October 29 / Jude 1-7; October 30 / Jude 8-16; October 31 / Jude 17-25