Jude 11-16

En garde is French for “on (your) guard.” In fencing, the phrase is shouted by the referee at the start of each match. This exclamation tells the fencers to assume a position ready for action, to prepare to contend against their opponents. Jude gives a similar exclamation at the opening of Jude 11: “Woe!” The word is an interjection. Jude is sounding the alarm, telling the church to be en garde against those who act falsely, to be in a position of readiness to recognize them, and to contend against them.