3 John 1

3 John 1:1-4

A Greeting from the Elder
(2 John 1:1–3)

1 The elder,

To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth:

2 Beloved, I pray that in every way you may prosper and enjoy good health, as your soul also prospers. 3 For I was overjoyed when the brothers came and testified about your devotion to the truth, in which you continue to walk. 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

• Beloved
  • I pray that
    • in every way
      • you may prosper
      • prosper - G2137 - euodoóG2137-euodoó
        • to have a prosperous journey
        • cause to prosper
        • 2137 euodóō (from 2095 /eú, “well, good” and 3598 /hodós, “a journey on a particular road”) – properly, to go on a prosperous journey; (figuratively) to be on the right (profitable) path, i.e. leading to real success (good fortune) where someone truly “prospers, is prospered” (A-S).
    • and
      • enjoy good health,
      • enjoy good health - G5198 - hugiainóG5198-hugiainó
        • to be sound, healthy
        • 5198 hygiaínō (the root of the English term, “hygiene”) – properly, in good working order – hence, “healthy,” in sound condition (in-balance).
        • 5198 /hygiaínō (“healthy, working well”) means to be free from debilitation (incapacity, handicap) – hence, functioning holistically with all parts working together (“sound”).
        • 5198 (hygiaínō) is opposite to having a debilitating sickness. Thus it became the ideal way to open and close personal letters in ancient times – i.e. wishing someone total health (MM).
    • as
      • your soul also prospers.

3 John 1:5-8

Gaius Commended for Hospitality

5 Beloved, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers, and especially since they are strangers to you. 6 They have testified to the church about your love. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God. 7 For they went out on behalf of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. 8 Therefore we ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers for the truth.

• Therefore,
  • we ought
    • to support such men
  • why?
    • so that we may be
      • fellow workers
        • for the truth.

3 John 1:9-12

Diotrephes and Demetrius

9 I have written to the church about this,^a but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not accept our instruction. 10 So 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.

11 Beloved, 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.

12 Demetrius 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.

• … but Diotrephes,

  • who loves to be first,
  • will not accept our instruction.

• So,

  • 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.

• … 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.

3 John 1:13-14

Conclusion
(2 John 1:12–13)

13 I have many things to write to you, but I would prefer not to do so with pen and ink. 14 Instead, I hope to see you soon and speak with you face to face.^b

Peace to you.

The friends here send you greetings.

Greet each of our friends there by name.

Footnotes:

9 a Literally I have written something to the church
14 b Literally and we will speak mouth to mouth ; some translators begin a new verse (15) after face to face.