Jude 1:3
What does Jude 1:3 mean?
A plain-English look at Jude 1:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Jude 1:3 means
Jude confesses he intended to write a pastoral celebration of the salvation all believers share, but pressing circumstances changed his aim. He now urges his readers to contend earnestly for the faith. This faith is not personal belief alone; it is the apostolic truth once for all delivered to the saints—a settled deposit, not a fluid opinion. To contend earnestly means vigorous, responsible effort, both guarding and living the truth. This call affirms that doctrine matters, holiness matters, and what the apostles handed down must not be traded for novelty. The church must defend the gospel’s integrity for God’s glory and the good of souls entrusted to its care.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Beloved, while I was giving all diligence to write unto you of our common salvation, I was constrained to write unto you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered unto the saints.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Beloved, 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Beloved, while I was giving all diligence to write unto you of our common salvation, I was constrained to write unto you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered unto the saints.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949My loved ones, while my thoughts were full of a letter which I was going to send you about our common salvation, it was necessary for me to send you one requesting you with all my heart to go on fighting strongly for the faith which has been given to the saints once and for ever.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Beloved, all diligence using to write to you concerning the common salvation, I had necessity to write to you, exhorting to agonize for the faith once delivered to the saints,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Dearly beloved, taking all care to write unto you concerning your common salvation, I was under a necessity to write unto you: to beseech you to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Beloved, using all diligence to write to you of our common salvation, I have been obliged to write to you exhorting [you] to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints.
Context
This verse states the letter’s purpose and urgency, preparing readers for the darker diagnosis that follows. The reason for contending appears in verse 4: false teachers have infiltrated the church. Jude will then support his warning with sobering historical examples of divine judgment in verses 5–7. By framing the Christian message as a completed trust to safeguard, verse 3 anchors the rest of the chapter. The coming images and warnings are not about minor disagreements but about departures from the faith that was once for all delivered, calling for bold yet faithful response.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Galatians 6:11
See with how large letters I write unto you with mine own hand.
- Acts 18:4
And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded Jews and Greeks.
- Acts 6:8
And Stephen, full of grace and power, wrought great wonders and signs among the people.
- Ephesians 1:1
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, to the saints that are at Ephesus, and the faithful in Christ Jesus:
- Romans 15:15
But I write the more boldly unto you in some measure, as putting you again in remembrance, because of the grace that was given me of God,
- Galatians 2:5
to whom we gave place in the way of subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.
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