Bible Strands
Jude 1:22
And indeed, have mercy on those who doubt;
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jude addresses believers navigating internal threats, instructing them on how to respond to different groups within the community. He places this command between an exhortation to remain in God’s love and a directive to rescue others from spiritual danger.
The words — ἐλεᾶτε (eleate) means “show mercy,” and διακρινομένους (diakrinomenous) denotes those “doubting” or hesitating. The Greek syntax binds the act of mercy directly to the condition of uncertainty.
The thread — This instruction parallels James 5:19’s call to restore wanderers, Galatians 6:1’s command to restore the trespassing with gentleness, and 1 John 5:16’s directive to pray for brothers committing sins not leading to death. Each passage treats spiritual wavering as a condition requiring active, corrective engagement.
Why it lands — The text requires readers to extend compassion to those wavering in faith rather than isolating or condemning them. It demands practical intervention that addresses uncertainty through mercy instead of immediate judgment.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And of some have compassion, making a difference:
Cross-references
- James 5:19 My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back,
- Galatians 6:1 Brothers, if someone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him with a spirit of gentleness. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.
- 1 John 5:16 If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he should ask God, who will give life to those who commit this kind of sin. There is a sin that leads to death; I am not saying he should ask regarding that sin.
- Hebrews 6:4 It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit,
- Jude 1:4 For certain men have crept in among you unnoticed—ungodly ones who were designated long ago for condemnation. They turn the grace of our God into a license for immorality, and they deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.
- Ezekiel 34:17 This is what the Lord GOD says to you, My flock: ‘I will judge between one sheep and another, between the rams and the goats.
- Galatians 4:20 how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you.