Matthew Poole and continuators on Jude 1:3

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.

The Apostle here declares the first Cause of his writing to them, viz. his own Inclination and Readiness, according to the Duty of his Place (as an Apostle; so [illegible: 1 letter]o do; q. d. being of my self willing, and earnestly desirous to promote your Welfare, when absent from you, by writing unto you.

The second Reason of his writing, viz. the necessity of it, in respect of the Danger they were in, as follows, v. 4.

By Constancy in the Faith, Zeal for the Truth, Holiness of Life, mutual Exhortation, Prayer, Suffering for the Gospel, &c. against those that would pervert the Gospel.

The Doctrine of the Gospel; Faith is taken for the Object of Faith.

Either, once for all, because it was delivered by all the Apostles as the only unchangeable Rule of governing their lives, and obtaining Salvation, to which nothing is to be added, and from which nothing is to be taken away: Or, it implies, that it was therefore delivered to them that they might never forsake it, and that if they do, they miss of their Salvation, as being never like to have another way made known to them.

I. e. Those things which concern the Salvation of us all in common, or that Salvation which is common to us all; there being but one Salvation for all Believers, and one way to it.

Viz by God, not invented by Men.

Marginal references: Phil. 1.27. 1 Tim. 1.18. & 6.12. 2 Tim. 4.7.