save them by snatching them out of the fire. But continue showing mercy to others, doing so with fear, while you hate even the inner garment that has been stained by the flesh.” (Jude 22, 23)

Such unstable ones were in danger of the “fire,” or everlasting destruction. (Compare Matthew 18:8, 9; 25:31-33, 41-46.) But by quickly coming to their aid with spiritual exhortation and prayer, stable Christians, especially congregation overseers, would be able to save them, “snatching them out of the fire.”​—Galatians 6:1; James 5:13-20.

13. (a) In what way had some ‘stained their inner garment’? (b) How might wearers of ‘stained garments’ be ‘saved’?

¹³ Some may have yielded to the flesh defilers and fallen with them into immorality, or else into spiritual adultery. (James 4:4) By giving way to animalistic practices, they had, as it were, ‘stained the inner garment.’ They had stained their inward personality as genuine Christians, like a garment worn next to the skin. (Compare Revelation 3:4, 5.) Faithful witnesses of Jehovah guarded against spotting up their own garment of Christian personality in this way because this displeased Jehovah God and might lead to destruction. Yet, godly persons, particularly the appointed elders, compassionately tried to help the unstable wearers of ‘stained garments’ back to the way of salvation. If true repentance was shown by the wayward, it would be possible to “save them” from the death in divine disfavor to which an unclean course would lead them.​—Proverbs 28:13.