What does Jude 1:2 mean?

Jude's greeting to his readers includes the desire that they would experience an overflowing amount of mercy, peace, and love. Again, he uses a threefold construction. In order to combat false teaching Jude's readers would need to experience God's mercy—His compassionate help. They would also need a strong sense of wellness (peace) and supernatural love—specifically a love for God and others. They would need God's compassionate help while under attack from the apostates.

Hebrews 4:16 promises this mercy in answer to prayer in difficult situations. These words would also motivate Jude's readers to try to win those who wandered from the truth. After all, those who receive mercy should be merciful to others. Peace, meaning a strong sense of wellness, would enable them to feel secure in troublesome times. Philippians 4:7 describes God's gift of peace as transcending all understanding and as being a protective guard for the heart and mind. Love for God and others would keep Jude's readers close to God and actively engaged in defending and sharing the truth.