Book of Jude, verse 2

NASB

(New American Standard Bible)

May mercy and peace and love be multiplied to you.

NLT

(New Living Translation)

May God give you more and more mercy, peace, and love. 

Yesterday we learned a little about the author and to whom he was writing:  We know Jude was speaking directly to those who have received Jesus Christ as their Saviour. He continues his letter with a benediction (that's simply a big word for 'blessing').

• Mercy - ἔλεος eleos is the Greek word which translates to kindness or good will  of God towards men: in general providence; the mercy and clemency of God in providing and offering to men salvation by Christ

• Peace - εἰρήνη eirēnē  has a deeper meaning than just a sweet state of mind. When translated from the Greek, we find what Jude desires for Christians:  the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot, of whatsoever sort that is

• Love  - ἀγάπη agápē should be familiar to us now. This is the affection and goodwill expressed to others, prompted by Christ. Because He lives in your heart, your spirit outwardly bestows His love onto others. 

• Multiply - πληθύνω plēthýnō is a Greek word that means to increase, though Jude imparts this word further as to be richly allotted to. When we dig into the root word, we find the original πλέω, pléō means to be filled.

Jude's simple benediction is filled with his desire for his fellow Christians to be incredibly blessed by God. If we put those few words into the context of their deeper meanings, here is what we find Jude imparting onto us:

May you be richly filled with the good will of God, 

Who provided leniency to you by offering you salvation through His Son,

Christ Jesus, and Who assures your soul fears nothing

and is content on this earth, no matter what,

while you outwardly show the love of Christ toward others.

What a beautiful blessing! Those blessings are all connected and work together: 

Being filled with His goodwill contentedly assures us of our purpose,

so we can present His love to others. 

Do you see yourself being spoken to in those words? The desire of Jude is also my desire for you. 

Overflow with His Mercy, Peace, and Love today.
Share it with others. 

What stood out most to you in this verse?