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.
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. Jude addresses readers as "beloved" (Greek agapētoi, ἀγαπητοί), establishing affectionate relationship before urgent exhortation. He had intended to write about "the common salvation" (Greek tēs koinēs sōtērias, τῆς κοινῆς σωτηρίας)—the salvation shared equally by all believers regardless of background, the unified gospel message.
However, circumstances compelled a change of topic. The phrase "it was needful" (Greek anagkēn eschon, ἀνάγκην ἔσχον) expresses urgent compulsion—Jude felt a pressing obligation. Instead of a general treatise on salvation, he must "exhort" (Greek parakalein, παρακαλεῖν—to urge, appeal, encourage) them to "earnestly contend" (Greek epagōnizesthai, ἐπαγωνίζεσθαι). This rare word combines epi (intensifying prefix) with agōnizomai (to struggle, fight)—hence "struggle intensely," "fight vigorously," like an athlete competing for victory.
They must contend "for the faith" (Greek tē pistei, τῇ πίστει)—the definite article indicates not personal faith but the body of Christian doctrine, the objective gospel truth. This faith was "once delivered" (Greek hapax paradotheisē, ἅπαξ παραδοθείσῃ)—delivered once for all time, a completed historical act. The verb form emphasizes finality—no new revelation supplements or supersedes the apostolic gospel. "To the saints" (Greek tois hagiois, τοῖς ἁγίοις) identifies all believers as holy ones, set apart for God.
Historical Context
This verse captures a pivotal moment in early Christianity—the transition from apostolic teaching to defending apostolic teaching. As the first generation of eyewitnesses aged, false teachers arose claiming new revelations or different interpretations. The church faced its first major doctrinal crisis: would Christianity maintain apostolic orthodoxy or evolve into diverse, contradictory movements?
The phrase "once delivered" became crucial in debates over canon and authority. Against Gnosticism's claims of secret knowledge and ongoing revelation, the church insisted on the finality and sufficiency of apostolic testimony. The concept of tradere (to hand down, deliver) gave rise to the term "tradition"—not human innovations but the faithful transmission of apostolic teaching (1 Corinthians 11:23, 15:3, 2 Thessalonians 2:15).
Jude's urgent change of plans reflects the severity of the crisis. False teaching wasn't merely an academic disagreement but a spiritual emergency threatening believers' welfare and the gospel's integrity. Church history confirms this pattern—every generation must defend the faith against new errors wearing contemporary disguises. The very fact that Jude wrote this letter demonstrates the Spirit's provision of resources for each generation's battles.
Questions for Reflection
What false teachings in contemporary culture require Christians to 'earnestly contend for the faith'?
How can believers contend for the faith earnestly without becoming contentious, harsh, or divisive?
What does it mean practically to defend 'the faith once delivered' rather than evolving Christianity for contemporary culture?
Analysis & Commentary
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. Jude addresses readers as "beloved" (Greek agapētoi, ἀγαπητοί), establishing affectionate relationship before urgent exhortation. He had intended to write about "the common salvation" (Greek tēs koinēs sōtērias, τῆς κοινῆς σωτηρίας)—the salvation shared equally by all believers regardless of background, the unified gospel message.
However, circumstances compelled a change of topic. The phrase "it was needful" (Greek anagkēn eschon, ἀνάγκην ἔσχον) expresses urgent compulsion—Jude felt a pressing obligation. Instead of a general treatise on salvation, he must "exhort" (Greek parakalein, παρακαλεῖν—to urge, appeal, encourage) them to "earnestly contend" (Greek epagōnizesthai, ἐπαγωνίζεσθαι). This rare word combines epi (intensifying prefix) with agōnizomai (to struggle, fight)—hence "struggle intensely," "fight vigorously," like an athlete competing for victory.
They must contend "for the faith" (Greek tē pistei, τῇ πίστει)—the definite article indicates not personal faith but the body of Christian doctrine, the objective gospel truth. This faith was "once delivered" (Greek hapax paradotheisē, ἅπαξ παραδοθείσῃ)—delivered once for all time, a completed historical act. The verb form emphasizes finality—no new revelation supplements or supersedes the apostolic gospel. "To the saints" (Greek tois hagiois, τοῖς ἁγίοις) identifies all believers as holy ones, set apart for God.