3 John — Chapter 1
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1The elder, To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth:
2Beloved, I pray that in every way you may prosper and enjoy good health, as your soul also prospers.
3For I was overjoyed when the brothers came and testified about your devotion to the truth, in which you continue to walk.
4I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
5Beloved, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers, and especially since they are strangers to you.
6They have testified to the church about your love. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God.
7For they went out on behalf of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles.
8Therefore we ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers for the truth.
9I have written to the church about this, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not accept our instruction.
10So if I come, I will call attention to his malicious slander against us. And unsatisfied with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers and forbids those who want to do so, even putting them out of the church.
11Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God.
12Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself. We also testify for him, and you know that our testimony is true.
13I have many things to write to you, but I would prefer not to do so with pen and ink.
14Instead, I hope to see you soon and speak with you face to face. Peace to you. The friends here send you greetings. Greet each of our friends there by name.
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.
1The elder unto Gaius the beloved, whom I love in truth.
2Beloved, I pray that in all things thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
3For I rejoiced greatly, when brethren came and bare witness unto thy truth, even as thou walkest in truth.
4Greater joy have I none than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.
5Beloved, thou doest a faithful work in whatsoever thou doest toward them that are brethren and strangers withal;
6who bare witness to thy love before the church: whom thou wilt do well to set forward on their journey worthily of God:
7because that for the sake of the Name they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.
8We therefore ought to welcome such, that we may be fellow-workers for the truth.
9I wrote somewhat unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.
10Therefore, if I come, I will bring to remembrance his works which he doeth, prating against us with wicked words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and them that would he forbiddeth and casteth [them] out of the church.
11Beloved, imitate not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: he that doeth evil hath not seen God.
12Demetrius hath the witness of all [men], and of the truth itself: yea, we also bear witness: and thou knowest that our witness is true.
13I had many things to write unto thee, but I am unwilling to write [them] to thee with ink and pen:
14but I hope shortly to see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace [be] unto thee. The friends salute thee. Salute the friends by name.
1From the elder, to Gaius my dear brother, whom I love in truth.
2Dear friend, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, just as it is well with your soul.
3For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified to your truth, just as you are living according to the truth.
4I have no greater joy than this: to hear that my children are living according to the truth.
5Dear friend, you demonstrate faithfulness by whatever you do for the brothers (even though they are strangers).
6They have testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God.
7For they have gone forth on behalf of “The Name,” accepting nothing from the pagans.
8Therefore we ought to support such people so that we become coworkers in cooperation with the truth.
9I wrote something to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, does not acknowledge us.
10Therefore, if I come, I will call attention to the deeds he is doing—the bringing of unjustified charges against us with evil words! And not being content with that, he not only refuses to welcome the brothers himself, but hinders the people who want to do so and throws them out of the church!
11Dear friend, do not imitate what is bad, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does what is bad has not seen God.
12Demetrius has been testified to by all, even by the truth itself. We also testify to him, and you know that our testimony is true.
13I have many things to write to you, but I do not wish to write to you with pen and ink.
14But I hope to see you right away, and we will speak face to face. (1:15) Peace be with you. The friends here greet you. Greet the friends there by name.
1The elder to Gaius the beloved, whom I love in truth.
2Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be healthy, even as your soul prospers.
3For I rejoiced greatly, when brothers came and testified about your truth, even as you walk in truth.
4I have no greater joy than this, to hear about my children walking in truth.
5Beloved, you do a faithful work in whatever you accomplish for those who are brothers and strangers.
6They have testified about your love before the assembly. You will do well to send them forward on their journey in a way worthy of God,
7because for the sake of the Name they went out, taking nothing from the Gentiles.
8We therefore ought to receive such, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.
9I wrote to the assembly, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, doesn’t accept what we say.
10Therefore if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words. Not content with this, neither does he himself receive the brothers, and those who would, he forbids and throws out of the assembly.
11Beloved, don’t imitate that which is evil, but that which is good. He who does good is of God. He who does evil hasn’t seen God.
12Demetrius has the testimony of all, and of the truth itself; yes, we also testify, and you know that our testimony is true.
13I had many things to write to you, but I am unwilling to write to you with ink and pen;
14but I hope to see you soon, and we will speak face to face. Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.
Summary
The elder writes to his beloved friend Gaius, praying that he would prosper and stay in good health, just as his soul is prospering (vv. 1-2), and rejoices over reports that Gaius continues walking faithfully in the truth (vv. 3-4). He praises Gaius for his hospitality toward traveling believers, even strangers, urging him to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God, since they set out for the sake of the Name and accepted nothing from outsiders (vv. 5-8). By contrast, he condemns Diotrephes, who loves to be first, refuses to acknowledge the elder's authority, spreads malicious gossip, and even expels from the church those who welcome the traveling believers (vv. 9-10). He tells Gaius not to imitate evil but good, since the one who does good is of God (v. 11), and commends Demetrius, whose good reputation is confirmed by everyone, including the elder himself (v. 12). He closes hoping to visit soon and speak face to face rather than write more, and sends a final greeting of peace (vv. 13-14).
Authorship & Background
Deep Dive
Setting: This is the shortest book in the Bible, about 220 words in Greek, short enough to fit on one sheet of papyrus. Like 2 John, it comes from "the elder," whom the early church identified as the apostle John. He was probably writing from Ephesus late in the first century, near the end of his long life. 2 John warns a church not to welcome false teachers. 3 John is its mirror image: it urges a friend to keep welcoming true ones. The letter is built around three men: Gaius, who is commended; Diotrephes, who is rebuked; and Demetrius, who is recommended. It is a rare, personal glimpse into a real church dispute.
Greeting to Gaius (vv1–4)
- "The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth" (v1). "Elder" (presbyteros) can mean an older man, a church office, or both. John, perhaps the last apostle still living, chooses the humble title (compare 1 Pet 5:1). Gaius was one of the most common names in the Roman world. This Gaius is probably not the Gaius of Corinth (Rom 16:23) or Macedonia (Acts 19:29). He was a respected believer in a church near Ephesus.
- "I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul" (v2). This was a standard letter greeting, given real warmth. John assumes Gaius's soul is flourishing and prays that his body would do as well. Some have used this verse to teach that God promises financial prosperity and health to all believers, but that reads far too much into a friend's greeting. The verse does show God cares about the whole person, body as well as soul. For most believers the prayer would need to run the other way: that their souls would prosper as much as their bodies.
- "Testified to your truth, as indeed you are walking in the truth" (v3). Traveling believers had reported back to John. "Walking" (peripateō) means a way of life, not just correct belief (2 John 4).
- "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth" (v4). "My children" suggests John led Gaius to faith or discipled him. It is every parent's and every pastor's deepest joy.
- Commentators: Henry notes that John, though an apostle, takes the humble title "elder." He says "it becomes not Christ's ministers to affect swelling pompous titles," and suggests that with most apostles gone, John was honoring the ordinary ministry by sharing its name. His concise commentary says "soul prosperity is the greatest blessing on this side heaven," and adds that "a rich soul may be lodged in a weak body." JFB suggests John may have heard that Gaius was in poor health, which explains the prayer. It reads "be in health" as the particular case of the general "prosper."
Gaius Commended for His Hospitality (vv5–8)
- "It is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are" (v5). Gaius took in traveling preachers and teachers he had never met. In a world of dangerous inns, Christian hospitality was the lifeline of the early mission (Rom 12:13; Heb 13:2; 1 Pet 4:9).
- "Send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God" (v6). "Send on" (propempō) was a technical term for supplying missionaries with food, money and provisions for the next stage of their trip (Acts 15:3; Rom 15:24; Titus 3:13). "Worthy of God" sets the standard: treat God's messengers as you would treat the One who sent them.
- "They have gone out for the sake of the name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles" (v7). "The name" is Jesus' name (Acts 5:41; Phil 2:9–10). The missionaries refused support from unbelievers, unlike the wandering philosophers and religious peddlers of the day, so no one could say they preached for profit (2 Cor 2:17; 1 Thess 2:9).
- "Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth" (v8). This is the principle of the whole letter. Those who can't go can still share in the work by sending and supporting (Matt 10:40–42; Phil 4:14–18). "Fellow workers" (synergoi) is the word Paul uses for his ministry partners.
- Commentators: Henry describes Gaius as having "a catholic spirit." He "could overlook the petty differences among serious Christians, and be communicative to all who bore the image and did the work of Christ." His concise commentary adds that those who can't preach "may yet receive, help, and countenance those who do so." JFB reads "in a manner worthy of God" as: "He who honours God's missionaries… honours God."
Diotrephes and Demetrius (vv9–12)
- "I have written something to the church" (v9). This may mean 1 John, 2 John, or a letter now lost.
- "Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first" (v9). "Likes to put himself first" is one Greek word, philoprōteuō, "love of being first." It appears nowhere else in Greek before this. Diotrephes was probably a leader in the local church who wanted control. Notice that John says nothing about false doctrine. The problem was pride and power. Jesus had warned the disciples, John among them, about exactly this (Mark 10:35–45). John himself once asked for the top seat.
- "Does not acknowledge our authority" (v9). He rejected John's letter and leadership.
- "Talking wicked nonsense against us" (v10). "Talking nonsense" (phlyareō) means gossiping and babbling: empty words with a nasty intent.
- "He refuses to welcome the brothers, and also stops those who want to and puts them out of the church" (v10). Diotrephes did four things: slandered the apostle, refused hospitality, blocked others from giving it, and expelled those who did. He used church discipline as a weapon to protect his own position.
- "If I come, I will bring up what he is doing" (v10). John doesn't ignore it, and he doesn't attack from a distance either. He plans to deal with it in person, openly (Matt 18:15–17; 1 Tim 5:19–20).
- "Do not imitate evil but imitate good" (v11). "Imitate" is mimeomai, the root of "mimic." Believers learn by copying examples, so choose them carefully. "Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God." This is John's familiar test (1 John 3:6, 10). Conduct shows whether someone truly knows God.
- "Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself" (v12). Demetrius was probably the one carrying this letter, and perhaps one of the traveling preachers Gaius was asked to welcome. He has three witnesses: everyone who knows him, the truth itself (his life matches the gospel), and John. Some suggest he's the Demetrius the silversmith of Acts 19:24 after his conversion, but that is only a guess.
- Commentators: Guzik's summary contrasts the three men. Diotrephes's real problem was pride, a craving for preeminence that led him to silence and expel others. John's public naming of him follows the apostolic command to mark those who cause divisions (Rom 16:17). It isn't a failure of love. Henry's concise commentary warns against following "that which is proud, selfish, and of bad design, though the example may be given by persons of rank and power." He adds that "few are well spoken of by all; and sometimes it is ill to be so." JFB reads v11's "evil" as Diotrephes and "good" as Demetrius. It takes "hath not seen God" spiritually.
Final Greetings (vv13–15)
- "I would rather not write with pen and ink… we will talk face to face" (vv13–14). "Pen" is literally "reed." "Face to face" is literally "mouth to mouth" in Greek. It is almost word for word the ending of 2 John. Some things are better handled in person than in writing, especially church conflict.
- "Peace be to you" (v15). This is the Hebrew shalom, which Jesus gave his disciples after the resurrection (John 20:19–21).
- "The friends greet you. Greet the friends, each by name" (v15). Calling believers "friends" (philoi) echoes Jesus: "I have called you friends" (John 15:14–15). "Each by name" is personal care, the opposite of Diotrephes's power games. A shepherd knows his sheep by name (John 10:3).
- Commentators: JFB notes that "face to face" is literally "mouth to mouth." On "by name" it quotes Bengel: "not less than if their names were written." Henry's concise commentary closes: "Those may well salute and greet one another on earth, who hope to live together in heaven."
Pointing to Christ
3 John is a small window onto Jesus' teaching about greatness: "whoever would be first among you must be slave of all" (Mark 10:44). Diotrephes loved to be first. Gaius and Demetrius served. The traveling preachers went out "for the sake of the name," and supporting them made ordinary believers "fellow workers for the truth." The letter's last word, friends greeted "each by name," reflects the Good Shepherd, who knows his own and calls them by name.
Commentary
- Enduring Word (David Guzik): enduringword.com Guzik covers Gaius's hospitality, Diotrephes's arrogance, Demetrius's commendation, and lessons about church leadership.
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown (1871): blueletterbible.org A critical and explanatory commentary on the whole Bible, more concise than Matthew Henry and closer to the Hebrew and Greek, with attention to historical and geographical detail. Public domain.
- Matthew Henry's Exposition (1710): blueletterbible.org A devotional verse-by-verse commentary in the Puritan tradition, still among the most widely read three centuries on. Public domain.
Videos
Articles
- GotQuestions.org: gotquestions.org On the whole book: an overview of the book of 3 John -- who wrote it, when, why, and how it fits the rest of Scripture.
Links open on the publisher's own site. Nothing here is reproduced on this page.
Reflection
- The Soul's Prosperity as the Real Measure (v.2) — John prays that Gaius would prosper in every way, just as his soul already prospers. Is your spiritual health actually the strongest part of your life, or is it trailing behind your career and finances?
- No Greater Joy Than Faithful Children (v.4) — John says nothing brings him more joy than hearing his spiritual children are walking in truth. Who has your influence shaped, and what would you say about their walk right now?
- Becoming a Partner in the Truth (v.8) — Gaius is commended for supporting traveling gospel workers, making him a partner in their mission. How are you actively supporting people who labor for the gospel?
- The Danger of Craving Preeminence (v.9) — Diotrephes is condemned for loving to be first and refusing to submit to apostolic authority. Is there a Diotrephes in you — a pull toward control or being seen as the one in charge?
- Imitating What Is Good (v.11) — John urges Gaius not to imitate what is evil but what is good, since doing good reflects knowing God. Looking at Gaius, Diotrephes, and Demetrius, which one does your current pattern of life most resemble?