Contending Not Pretending
“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)
1. What does “Common Salvation” mean?
The word “salvation” is σωτηρία: sótéria (so-tay-ree’-ah), which means welfare, prosperity, deliverance, preservation, safety. In other words, this is the biblical experience one has when trusting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
2. What does “earnestly contend” mean?
The Greek word is “ἐπαγωνίζομαι: (ep-ag-o-nid’-zom-ahee), which means I contend earnestly for.
In other words it means to fight for, strive for. But it does not mean argue. Is there more than ONE way to HEAVEN? NO!
When interpreting the Scriptures, is there a RIGHT way and a WRONG way? YES!
3. What does “The faith” mean?
“The Faith” means absolute trust in the God of the Bible. 4. What does it mean “once delivered unto the saints? The word “delivered” is παραδίδωμι: (par-ad-id’-o-mee), which means to hand over, pledge, hand down, deliver, commit, commend, betray, abandon. In this context, it means the saints of old were handed down and hand down this same faith in Jesus.