## I was making every effort to write to you ## "I was very eager to write to you" (see: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-you]]) ## our common salvation ## "we share the same salvation" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-inclusive]]) ## I had to write ## "I felt a great need to write" or "I felt an urgent need to write" ## to exhort you to struggle earnestly for the faith ## "to encourage you to defend the true teaching" ## handed down ## "God gave this true teaching" ## For certain men have come stealthily ## "For some men have come in among the believers without drawing attention to themselves" ## of whose condemnation it was written long ago ## "long ago it was written that these men would be condemned" ## who change the grace of our God into lasciviousness ## "who teach that God's grace permits one to continue to live in sexual sin" ## who deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ ## these men teach that Jesus Christ is not true or only way to God. ## deny ## to say that something is not true.