Jude 1:3

Beloved, although I made every effort to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt it necessary to write and urge you to contend earnestly for the faith entrusted once for all to the saints.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Jude writes to a community of believers, pivoting from a planned letter on shared salvation to an urgent defense of the faith because ungodly men have already crept in (v. 4). The moment is one of interception: the expected teaching is set aside for a warning.

The words — σπουδὴν (spoudēn, G4710) = diligence, earnestness; it is the Greek behind "earnestly" and carries the sense of urgent, sustained effort rather than a single burst of energy.

The thread — 1 Timothy 6:12 commands the same combat posture ("fight the good fight of the faith"), and Jude 1:20 returns to the positive counterpart: building oneself up in the most holy faith. Philippians 1:27 supplies the parallel standard of conduct worthy of the gospel.

Why it lands — The faith is not a possession to be held passively but a trust entrusted to the saints that must be actively defended against those who distort grace into license.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

Cross-references

1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made the good confession before many witnesses.
Philippians 1:27 Nevertheless, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending together as one for the faith of the gospel,
Jude 1:20 But you, beloved, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit,
2 Timothy 1:13 Hold on to the pattern of sound teaching you have heard from me, with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
Titus 1:4 To Titus, my true child in our common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.
2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
Revelation 12:11 They have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony. And they did not love their lives so as to shy away from death.
Revelation 2:10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison to test you, and you will suffer tribulation for ten days. Be faithful even unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.
1 Timothy 1:18 Timothy, my child, I entrust you with this command in keeping with the previous prophecies about you, so that by them you may fight the good fight,
Galatians 2:5 We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel would remain with you.