Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents

1-2 Initial Greeting. Although he is the brother of Jesus, Jude identifies himself as his servant (Gk. doulos), acknowledging Jesus as Lord. He is also the brother of James, who plays a major role in the NT (Matt. 13:55; Acts 12:17; 15:13; 21:18; 1 Cor. 15:7; Gal. 1:19; 2:9, 12; by this time, the only "James" who could be identified by name only without further description was James the Lord's brother--see note on Acts 12:17). called. See note on Rom. 8:30. Beloved (Gk. participle of agapaō) shows the intimate relationship between God the Father and the readers. It also shows that God has set his special love on them for salvation. At the outset of his letter to Christians who are threatened by false teachers, Jude reminds them that they will be kept and preserved by God's power from falling away. The introduction thus anticipates the confident and joyful conclusion in Jude 24-25.