Verse 3
3. Beloved Thus far the address; now commences the opening of the subject. Note 3 John 1:1-2.
Gave all diligence Rather, making to myself all earnestness. The earnestness was awakened by alarm at the inroads of the errorists.
Common salvation The gospel salvation, which was common to the whole Christian republic, and so threatened by a common danger.
It was needful Literally, I had a necessity; a necessity to do what, without a necessity, he would not advise, namely, to contend. There are blessed times for peace, but now comes the pressure of contest.
Earnestly contend A term borrowed from the palestric contests, yet also used of real battles. This spiritual contest, now at hand, required not merely quiet Christian life, but a bold maintenance of Christian truth and morals, a refutation and rebuke of error and sin, and an extrusion of the heretical transgressors from the Church of God.
The faith The system of doctrines and morals.
Once That is, once for all; excluding all additions, diminutions, and modifications; and especially such perversions as now threatened to mislead and destroy the Church.
Saints All true Christians, especially the sanctified of Jude 1:1.
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