New Testament
3 John 1
Overview
The elder writes a warm personal letter to a beloved friend named Gaius, rejoicing that Gaius is "walking in the truth" and praying that his physical health and prosperity would match the health of his soul. He commends Gaius for his faithful, sacrificial hospitality toward traveling missionaries—"strangers" and "the brethren"—who went out "for the sake of the Name," accepting nothing from the Gentiles, and urges him to send them on their way "in a manner worthy of God." The letter then turns sharply to a problem: Diotrephes, "who loves to have the preeminence," refuses to receive the elder's authority, talks malicious nonsense against him, will not welcome the brethren himself, and even expels from the church those who would. Against this negative example the elder sets Demetrius, who "has a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself." He closes by promising to deal with Diotrephes when he comes, preferring to speak face to face rather than write further, and sends greetings from "the friends." The chapter is thus a compact study in contrasts—truth versus self-promotion, open-handed welcome versus territorial control—anchored in the conviction that genuine faith shows itself in love expressed through hospitality.
1The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.
2Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
3For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.
4I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
5Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;
6Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well:
7Because that for his name's sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.
8We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.
9I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.
10Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.
11Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.
12Demetrius hath good report of all men , and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true.
13I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee:
14But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name.