3 John

Happy to find Gaius faithful  3
Nothing taken from Gentiles 7
Letter written, Diotrephes loves to be greater 9
Text Comments
 1 ¶ The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.
 2  Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
  1 - Elder Compare 2jo01.
  1 - Gaius We don't know who he was beyond being a friend of the apostle.
  2 - That thou must prosper and be in health This is a favorite verse of some tele-evangelists. Is it God's will that we prosper and have good health? I believe it is. But we cannot ignore the ways God has already given and expect to have health. The Creator of our bodies established the laws by which they function. See ex1526, da0108. On financial prosperity mal_0308.
  2 - As thy soul Perhaps his physical health was not so good.
.3 ¶ For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.
 4  I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
 5  Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;
.6  Which 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:
.7  Because that for his name's sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.
 8  We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.
  3 - When the brethren came Literally "when the brothers would come."
  4 - No greater joy And it's a joy we share as those we know and love walk in Christ. We also bear the burden of those who don't.
  7 - Taking nothing Apparently so that he (Paul) not be considered as receiving personal benefit.
.9 ¶ I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.
 10  Wherefore, 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.
 11  Beloved, 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.
  9 - I wrote Or "I wrote somewhat." Some think that a letter was lost and some think that that it was not good so not included. However, the epistles follow clearly.
  9 - Diotrephes The name means "Nourished by Zeus" a Greek god. 
  9 - Preeminence Any time we feel this way, it is time to pray and be humble.
  11 - Follow not Rather "don't imitate."
 12 ¶ Demetrius 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.
 13  I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee:
 14  But 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.
  12 - Demetrius Meaning "belonging to the goddess of agriculture." John's use of the pagan name may not be seen to imply that the apostle endorsed paganism. Nor should we infer such about other pagan names and words unless we have clear evidence. Compare the names of Daniel and his friends da0226, da0701.

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