Jude 1:3
What is written? (ESV)
Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.
What does it say?
Brethren, I was anxious to write about the salvation we share, but instead need to appeal to you to fight for the faith that has been fully delivered to all the saints.
What is its immediate context?
Jude, the brother of James, is writing to Christians to warn them about false teachers. He encourages them to be “building” themselves up (vs 20) and “keep” in the love of God (vs 21).
How Jude 1:3 is applied across Bible answers
Can we lose our salvation?
Jude's emphasis is warning about their salvation being "stolen".
False teachers had "crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ." (vs 4)
Is the Bible the complete revelation of God?
Jude, written very late in the first century, possibly after Revelation, confirms that they need to fight for their common belief in Jesus (i.e. the gospel, the truth, "the faith") that was (past tense) given "once for all" (complete).
