by which also ye are saved, if ye hold fast the word which I preached unto you, except ye believed in vain.
ye are saved--rather, "ye are being saved." if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you--Able critics, BENGEL and others, prefer connecting the words thus, "I declare unto you the Gospel (Co1 15:1) in what words I preached it unto you." Paul reminds them, or rather makes known to them, as if anew, not only the fact of the Gospel, but also with what...
Verse 2. By which also ye are saved. On which your salvation depends; the belief of which is indispensable to your salvation. . The apostle thus shows the importance of the doctrine. In every respect it demanded their attention. It was that which was first preached among them; that which they had solemnly professed; that by which they had been built up; and that which was connected with their salvation.
By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. (b) Which is very absurd, and cannot be, for they that believe must reap the fruit of faith.