Jude 1:20 · Bible study
Jude 1:20 Commentary: Building Up on Most Holy Faith
Greek · 10 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Jude 1:20 calls believers to build themselves up on the objective faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. This verse grounds Christian growth in doctrine and prayer.
Research Summary
- Meaning: Build your life on the foundation of apostolic doctrine through Spirit-empowered prayer.
- Key words: ἐποικοδομοῦντες (building up), πίστις (faith as doctrine), ἐν πνεύματι ἁγίῳ (in the Holy Spirit).
- Main debate: Objective faith (the Christian faith) vs subjective faith (personal trust).
- Theological theme: Christian growth as active, communal, and dependent on the Holy Spirit.
- Best use: A call to deepen doctrinal understanding and renew prayer life, especially in the face of false teaching.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
But you, beloved, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit,
WEB World English Bible 2000
But you, beloved, keep building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit.
KJV King James Version 1769
But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
ASV American Standard Version 1901
But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
And ye, beloved, on your most holy faith building yourselves up, in the Holy Spirit praying,
Darby Darby Bible 1890
But ye, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
But you, my beloved, building yourselves upon your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Mas vosotros, oh amados, edificándoos|strong="G2026, G1438" sobre vuestra santísima fe, orando por el Espíritu Santo,
Mas vós, amados, edificai a vós mesmos em vossa santíssima fé, orando no Espírito Santo.
Pour vous, bien-aimés, vous édifiant vous-mêmes sur votre très sainte foi, et priant par le Saint-Esprit,
Ihr aber, meine Lieben, erbauet euch auf euren allerheiligsten Glauben durch den heiligen Geist und betet,
Maar geliefden, bouwt gij uzelven op uw allerheiligst geloof, biddende in den Heiligen Geest;
Ma voi, diletti, edificando voi stessi sulla vostra santissima fede, pregando mediante lo Spirito Santo,
Ale wy najmilsi! budując się na najświętszej wierze waszej i modląc się w Duchu Świętym,
А вы, возлюбленные, назидая себя на святейшей вере вашей, молясь Духом Святым,
親愛的弟兄啊，你們 卻 要在 至聖的 真道 上造就 自己，在聖 靈 裡 禱告，
But you, my loved ones, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, and making prayers in the Holy Spirit,
Verse in Context
Original Language (Koine Greek)
New Testament · Koine Greek · Jude 1:20
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators broadly agree that 'your most holy faith' in Jude 1:20 refers primarily to the objective body of Christian doctrine, the gospel and apostolic teaching, rather than the subjective act of believing. The Cambridge Bible notes that the superlative adjective 'most holy' (ἁγιωτάτῃ) is nowhere used of faith in its subjective sense elsewhere in the New Testament, and the same noun appears in Jude 1:3 as 'the faith' once for all delivered. Adam Clarke calls this foundation 'the Gospel of our Lord Jesus, and the writings of his apostles.' John Calvin, while favoring an objective reading, stresses that building on faith requires adding love, and he sees the verb as encouraging mutual edification. The present participle ἐποικοδομοῦντες (building up) signals an ongoing, active process. The second participle, προσευχόμενοι (praying), describes the indispensable means: 'praying in the Holy Spirit.' Barnes explains that the Holy Spirit enables prayer that aligns with God’s will. Together, the two participles depict a single lifestyle, believers do not merely hold doctrine but construct their lives upon it through Spirit-empowered prayer. This directly counters the false teachers who 'do not have the Spirit' (v.19).
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Objective faith (doctrinal deposit): Superlative adjective and context in Jude 1:3; Cambridge and Calvin support this reading.
- Subjective faith (personal trust): Possible emphasis on personal reliance on God in prayer.
- Synthetic view (both objective and subjective): Doctrine and trust are inseparable in Christian life.
What is clear: Christians are called to actively grow in their faith through Spirit-empowered prayer, in contrast to false teachers who are divisive and without the Spirit.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning of 'faith' | Faith is God-given and serves as the foundation for Christian life. | Objective ('the faith' delivered once for all) versus subjective (personal trust). The Cambridge Bible, Calvin, and Gill favor objective; many readers emphasize personal trust. |
| Role of human effort | Believers must actively build themselves up; growth is not passive. | Calvin stresses mutual edification (build one another) and insists love must be added; others emphasize individual discipline. |
| Nature of prayer in the Spirit | Prayer is empowered and guided by the Holy Spirit. | Some interpret it as ecstatic/charismatic prayer (Cambridge, JFB citing Chrysostom); others as ordinary prayer aided by the Spirit (Barnes, Wesley). |
| Connection between v.20 and v.21 | Building and praying lead to keeping in God’s love. | Is 'keep yourselves' a third independent action or a result? Most see it as coordinate result of the two participles in v.20. |
Historical & Cultural Context
Jude writes to a church under threat from false teachers who have 'crept in unnoticed' (v.4). These individuals are described as murmurers, complainers, walkers after lusts, and flatterers (v.16). They cause divisions and are 'sensual, not having the Spirit' (v.19). The letter likely targets Jewish-Christian communities, though its warnings apply universally. The phrase 'in the last time' (v.18) creates urgency: mockers will appear, but believers are to remember the apostles' words and stand firm.
The building metaphor (ἐποικοδομέω) echoes Paul’s imagery of the church as God’s building (1 Corinthians 3:9, 15; Ephesians 2:20). The foundation is Christ and the apostolic proclamation. Jude's 'most holy faith' picks up this tradition, emphasizing the sacred deposit of teaching. In early Jewish Christianity, 'the faith' began to function as a technical term for the doctrinal rule (cf. 1 Timothy 5:8; Jude 3). The superlative 'most holy' (ἁγιωτάτῃ) underscores the divine origin and purity of this content.
Praying 'in the Holy Spirit' reflects the Pentecostal reality of Spirit-empowered prayer (Acts 2; Romans 8:26). Zechariah 12:10 speaks of the 'spirit of grace and supplication', a passage early Christians saw as fulfilled in the Spirit’s gift. Jude likely assumes a charismatic community where the Spirit gives utterance and guidance. This prayer is not merely private devotion but an ecclesial activity that builds up the body. The false teachers lack the Spirit; true believers have received the Spirit and therefore pray in His power. The imperative to 'keep yourselves in God’s love' (v.21) then flows naturally from this foundation of doctrine and prayer.
Textual Notes
The Greek text of Jude 1:20 is well established. Some manuscripts (including the Complutensian Polyglot) read 'our most holy faith' rather than 'your most holy faith,' but this variation does not affect the meaning. The consulted sources note no other significant variants.
Reception History
Jude 1:20 has been important in both Eastern and Western traditions for uniting doctrinal stability with charismatic prayer. The phrase 'praying in the Holy Spirit' influenced the development of liturgical prayer, Chrysostom suggested that early liturgies arose from Spirit-inspired utterances preserved by the church. John Wesley frequently appealed to this verse to argue that true religion involves both sound doctrine and the inward work of the Spirit. In Pentecostal and charismatic renewal movements, it is a key text for Spirit-led prayer meetings. The building metaphor also resonated with the Reformation emphasis on the church being built on the apostles’ and prophets’ foundation.
Preaching This Verse
Three-Point Outline
- The Foundation: Your Most Holy Faith. The changeless truth of the gospel, deposited once for all (Jude 3). This is not optional opinion but holy doctrine that grounds the entire Christian life.
- The Activity: Building Yourselves Up. Growth is intentional and continuous. The present participle suggests a daily practice of reinforcement, teaching, encouragement, mutual accountability (Romans 15:2).
- The Power: Praying in the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is the builder’s power. Without Him, doctrine becomes dead knowledge; with Him, prayer becomes the engine of edification (Romans 8:26, 27).
Five-Point Outline
- Remember your secure standing: 'But you, beloved', you are not like the false teachers; you are loved by God (v.20a).
- Rehearse the doctrines of the faith: Build on 'most holy faith', know what you believe and why (v.20b).
- Relate to one another: 'Building yourselves up' is plural; Christians grow best together (v.20c).
- Rely on the Spirit in prayer: Pray in the Holy Spirit, yielding to His guidance and power (v.20d).
- Resist the tide of false teaching: Healthy doctrine and Spirit-led prayer protect against division and ungodliness (v.21).
Illustration Hooks
- Blueprint and tools. A builder who only studies the blueprint but never picks up a hammer never builds. Doctrine is the blueprint; prayer in the Spirit is the tool. Both are necessary.
- Learning a language. A student can memorize grammar rules but only gains fluency through constant practice with a native speaker. The Spirit is the native speaker of the Father’s heart; prayer is conversation practice.
- Community garden. Each gardener tends their own plot, but one irrigation system waters all. Individual growth happens, but it depends on the same Spirit flowing through shared prayer.
Questions Your Congregation Is Asking
- How can I tell if my faith is growing or just staying the same?
- What does it look like to pray 'in the Holy Spirit', is that a special gift or something every believer can do?
- How do I build myself up without becoming prideful?
Leading a Discussion
Jude contrasts the false teachers, murmurers, complainers, divisive people without the Spirit, with the true believers he calls 'beloved.' But he does not simply warn; he also shows how to stand firm. This passage gives two concrete actions: building yourself up on the faith and praying in the Holy Spirit. Use these questions to explore what these actions mean for your group.
Discussion Questions
- Observation: Look at verses 16, 19. What three or four characteristics of the false teachers does Jude highlight? How does their lack of the Spirit (v.19) connect to their behavior?
- Observation: What two actions does Jude command in verse 20? Are these commands or descriptions of what disciples naturally do? Why does he pair them?
- Interpretation: Why does Jude call faith 'most holy'? What difference does it make whether 'faith' here means the Christian doctrine (objective) or personal trust (subjective)?
- Interpretation: How does 'praying in the Holy Spirit' relate to Romans 8:26, 27? What does Paul add to Jude’s teaching?
- Application: What is one area of Christian doctrine you feel shaky on? How could you take a step this week to 'build yourself up' in that area, by reading, asking a question, or listening to a reliable teacher?
- Application: Think of your prayer life. How often are you conscious of the Holy Spirit’s help when you pray? What might change if you paused before each prayer and invited the Spirit to guide you?
- Group action: Choose one of the cross-references (Romans 8:26, Ephesians 6:18, Acts 9:31) to read together. Before you pray, share one way you want to build on a specific truth about God this week. Then pray together, asking the Spirit to lead each person’s words.
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Zechariah 12:10 | I will pour on David’s house and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the spirit of grace and of supplication. They will look to me whom they have pierced; and they shall mourn for him as one mourns for his only son, and will grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for his firstborn. |
| Acts 9:31 | So the assemblies throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were built up. They were multiplied, walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit. |
| Acts 15:9 | He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith. |
| Acts 26:18 | to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive remission of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’ |
| Romans 8:15 | For you didn’t receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” |
| Romans 8:26 | In the same way, the Spirit also helps our weaknesses, for we don’t know how to pray as we ought. But the Spirit himself makes intercession for us with groanings which can’t be uttered. |
| Romans 8:27 | He who searches the hearts knows what is on the Spirit’s mind, because he makes intercession for the saints according to God. |
| Romans 15:2 | Let each one of us please his neighbor for that which is good, to be building him up. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
9 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke stresses that the "most holy faith" means the gospel and apostolic writings themselves, the only true foundation for Christian life and hope. Prayer, he insists, must be sent up through the Holy Spirit's influence; any prayer lacking that divine impulse never reaches heaven.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes stresses that building yourselves up in the faith is an active, personal effort, not passive waiting. Believers must exert themselves as responsible agents, even while depending on God. The most holy faith here means the whole Christian system of doctrine and practice founded on faith.
Calvin's Commentaries Reformed 1564
Calvin stresses that faith is only the foundation; believers must build upon it by adding love and standing guard until Christ returns. He suggests reading "faith" as shorthand for the gospel itself, and interprets the command as building one another up in this most holy doctrine through prayer and mutual care.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The Cambridge commentary takes "faith" here as the objective Christian creed, not personal trust, and considers it the foundation on which believers build a holy life. "Praying in the Holy Ghost" points to ecstatic prayer guided by the Spirit, a devotion the false teachers could not share.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva note highlights that these people deliberately separate themselves from other believers, exposing their true condition: they are “natural” or unspiritual, lacking the Holy Spirit. Their divisiveness is not a matter of preference but a mark of having no spiritual life in them.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill emphasizes that believers can and should actively build themselves up in the faith, not relying solely on ministers. The "most holy faith" refers to the entire body of Christian doctrine, which is itself edifying. A key means for this self-building is praying in the Holy Spirit.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB highlights the contrast between building oneself up on the faith and separating from others. Building on the faith, he says, is the same as building on Christ. He also stresses that praying in the Holy Spirit means the Spirit teaches both what and how to pray, which gave rise to early Christian prayer forms.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry zeroes in on murmuring and complaining as marks of the wicked, not mere annoyances. For him, a grumbling spirit reveals that a person has made their own desires, not God's will, their only law and rule.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley draws attention to how Jude names the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit together with faith, love, and hope. He stresses that the faith is most holy in itself and that building up depends on praying through the Holy Spirit, who both laid the foundation and continues the work.