John Wesley

Beloved, although I made every effort to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt it necessary to write and urge you to contend earnestly for the faith…

“When I gave all diligence to write to you of the common salvation - Designed for all, and enjoyed by all believers. Here the design of the epistle is expressed; the end of which exactly answers the beginning.”

For certain men have crept in among you unnoticed—ungodly ones who were designated long ago for condemnation.

“There are certain men crept in, who were of old described before - Even as early as Enoch; of whom it was foretold, that by their wilful sins they would incur this condemnation. Turning the grace of God - Revealed in the gospel.”

Although you are fully aware of this, I want to remind you that after Jesus had delivered His people out of the land of Egypt, He destroyed those who did…

“He afterwards destroyed - The far greater part of that very people whom he had once saved. Let none therefore presume upon past mercies, as if he was now out of danger.”

In like manner, Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them, who indulged in sexual immorality and pursued strange flesh, are on display as an example of those who sustain…

“The cities which gave themselves over to fornication - The word here means, unnatural lusts. Are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire - That is, the vengeance which they suffered is an example or a type of eternal fire.”

Yet in the same way these dreamers defile their bodies, reject authority, and slander glorious beings.

“In like manner these dreamers - Sleeping and dreaming all their lives. Despise authority - Those that are invested with it by Christ, and made by him the overseers of his flock.”

But you, beloved, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit,

“But ye, beloved, not separating, but building yourselves up in your most holy faith - Than which none can be more holy in itself, or more conducive to the most refined and exalted holiness.”

keep yourselves in the love of God as you await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you eternal life.

“By these means, through his grace, keep yourselves in the love of God, and in the confident expectation of that eternal life which is purchased for you, and conferred upon you, through the mere mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

And indeed, have mercy on those who doubt;

“Meantime watch over others, as well as yourselves, and give them such help as their various needs require.”

Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you unblemished in His glorious presence, with great joy—

“Now to him who alone is able to keep them from falling - Into any of these errors or sins.”