Jude 1:3

False teachers are trying to upset the *faith of Jude’s readers (see verse 4). So Jude is writing urgently to remind his readers to hold firmly to God. In particular, they need more of God’s love and sympathy. That love will keep them close to God and to each other. It will help to protect them against the words of the false teachers. And Jude’s readers need that protection, because the words of the false teachers are a real danger to them.

• In the original language, the word for ‘urge’ comes from the same origin as ‘Comforter’. This is a title for the Holy Spirit (John 14:16 and John 14:26). The word means ‘one who comes near to help’. Although Jude cannot himself be with them, he is supporting his readers by his prayers.

• The ‘truth’ refers to the true tradition about the person and work of Jesus Christ. That tradition is the message that is often called the Gospel (the good news about Jesus). Each Christian, from the very first, has handed on this tradition to later believers and so to Jude’s readers. They in turn must do the same for other people.