Earnestly Contend

Ungodly men had crept into the church unnoticed.

Overview

'Earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.' They turn grace into lasciviousness. Jude recalls Israel in the wilderness, angels, Sodom, Cain, Balaam and Korah.

Going deeper

Grace is not license. False teaching is shown by its fruit.

Key verses (KJV)

Jude 1:3 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 1:4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
Jude 1:14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,

From the commentaries

3. Design of the Epistle (compare Jude 20, 21). all diligence—(2Pe 1:5). As the minister is to give all diligence to admonish, so the people should, in accordance with his admonition, give all diligence to have all Christian graces, and to make their calling sure. the common salvation—wrought by Christ. Compare Note, see on 2Pe 1:1, "obtained LIKE precious faith," This community of faith, and of the object of faith, salvation, forms the ground of mutual exhortation by appeals to common hopes and fears. it was needful for me—rather, "I felt it necessary to write (now at once; so the Greek aorist means; ...
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown, Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory (1871)

Verse 3 When I gave all diligence - This phrase, πασαν σπουδην ποιουμενος, is a Grecism for being exceedingly intent upon a subject; taking it up seriously with determination to bring it to good effect. The meaning of the apostle seems to be this: "Beloved brethren, when I saw it necessary to write to you concerning the common salvation, my mind being deeply affected with the dangers to which the Church is exposed from the false teachers that are gone out into the world, I found it extremely necessary to write and exhort you to hold fast the truth which you had received, and strenuously to contend for that only faith which, by our Lord and his apostles, has been delivered to the Christians."
Adam Clarke, Adam Clarke's Commentary (1810-1826)

3. When I gave diligence. I have rendered the words σπουδὴν ποιούμενος, “Applying care:” literally they are, “Making diligence.” But many interpreters explain the sentence in this sense, that a strong desire constrained Jude to write, as we usually say of those under the influence of some strong feeling, that they cannot govern or restrain themselves. Then, according to these expounders, Jude was under a sort of necessity, because a desire to write suffered him not to rest. But I rather think that the two clauses are separate, that though he was inclined and solicitous to write, yet a necessity compelled him. ...
John Calvin, John Calvin's Commentaries (16th century, Calvin Translation Society, 1840s-1850s)

Verse 3. Beloved. An expression of strong affection used by the apostles when addressing their brethren, Ro 1:7; 1 Co 4:14; 10:14 1 Co 15:58; 2 Co 7:1; 2 Co 7:9; 12:19; Php 2:12; Php 4:1; and often elsewhere. When I gave all diligence. When I applied my mind earnestly; implying that he had reflected on the subject, and thought particularly what it would be desirable to write to them. The state of mind referred to is that of one who was purposing to write a letter, and who thought over carefully what it would be proper to say. ...
Albert Barnes, Barnes' Notes on the New Testament (1834-1885)

Application

What does contending for the faith look like with love?
How is grace turned into license?
Which example warns you most?

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