Jude’s Theology of Greetings

Mercy, peace and love be multiplied to you

(Jude 2)

Greetings

1. Jewish people send greetings
2. Epistle writers of the New Testament send greetings respectively
3. Greetings in a theological analysis
   1. Are part of what we hope for
   2. Are part of our prayer for the others in question

Mercy, and peace

1. A Jewish common greeting includes
   1. Mercy
   2. Peace
2. Some Biblical writers include ‘grace’ in their greetings
3. Examples
   1. The Apostle John (2 John 3)
   2. The Apostle Peter (2 Peter 1:2)
   3. The Apostle Paul (2 Timothy 1:2)

Mercy, peace and love…

1. Jude adds ‘love’ in his greetings to the brethren
2. His addition of love in the greeting makes it so distinctive
   1. As a Christian greeting (Cf. John 13:34-35)
   2. As his own version in every sense of the word
3. His prayer is that God’s mercy, peace, and love are granted to his audience in abundance

Jude’s Theology of greetings

1. Jude’s greeting speaks of his theology of God
   1. God is merciful, caring (loving), and able to give us His peace
   2. A cluster of ‘mercy, peace, and love’ is to be received in multiplication
2. Let us read Jude’s theology of greetings with the help of Ephesians 2:4 -14:
   1. Where mercy triumphs, there is love
   2. Where love prevails, there is salvation
   3. Where salvation is granted, peace reigns
3. Let us learn to appreciate the thoughts behind the words of greetings
4. Let us seek to greet one another with the influence and inspiration of the Word of God!