hope unto the end, that ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” These words imply that some of his readers were not of the class called “beloved” whose lives showed that they were saved. This group whom he exhorts here is made up of those whom he warns in 5:11–6:8. He urges them to follow those who have exercised faith, implying that they had no faith. He says that he is persuaded better things of these who are saved. “Persuaded” in the Greek