3 John 1:8

We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth. WE - in contradistinction to "the Gentiles" (). THEREFORE - as they take nothing from the Gentiles. RECEIVE. 'Aleph (') A B C read, 'take up.' As they take nothing from the Gentiles, we ought to take up their support. FELLOW-HELPERS - with them. TO THE TRUTH - i:e., to promote the truth....

1-8 Those who are beloved of Christ, will love the brethren for his sake. Soul prosperity is the greatest blessing on this side heaven. Grace and health are rich companions. Grace will employ health. A rich soul may be lodged in a weak body; and grace must then be exercised in submitting to such a dispensation. But we may wish and pray that those who have prosperous souls, may have healthful bodies; that their grace may shine where there is still more room for activity. How many professors there are, about whom the apostle's words must be reversed, and we must earnestly wish and pray that their souls might prosper, as their health and circumstances do! True faith will work by love. A good report is due from those who receive good; they could not but testify to the church, what they found and felt. Good men will rejoice in the soul prosperity of others; and they are glad to hear of the g...

Verse 3 John 1:8. _WE THEREFORE OUGHT TO RECEIVE SUCH_] Those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, and have professed the truth at the hazard of their lives, and the loss of all their worldly substance. Instead of απολαμβανειν, _to receive_, the most ancient and reputable MSS. have υπολαμβανειν, _to take up, undertake for_, or _kindly receive_. _FELLOW HELPERS TO THE TRUTH_] And thus encourage the persecuted, and contribute to the spread and maintenance of the Gospel....

WE THEREFORE OUGHT TO RECEIVE SUCH - All of us ought hospitably to entertain and help such persons. The work in which they are engaged is one of pure benevolence. They have no selfish aims and ends in it. They do not even look for the supplies of their own needs among the people to whom they go to minister; and we ought, therefore, to help them in their work, and to contribute to their support. Doubtless, the apostle meant to urge this duty particularly upon Gaius; but, in order to show that he recognized the obligation himself, he uses the term “we,” and speaks of it as a duty binding on all Christians. THAT WE MIGHT BE FELLOW-HELPERS TO THE TRUTH - All Christians cannot go forth to preach the gospel, but all may contribute something to the support of those who do; and in this case they would have a joint participation in the work of spreading the truth. The same reasoning which was app...

WE THEREFORE OUGHT TO RECEIVE SUCH,.... We who are Jews, that have believed in Christ, for such an one Gaius, it seems, as well, as the apostle, were, ought to receive such preachers of the word into our houses, and entertain them cheerfully, while they continue, and supply them with all necessaries when they depart: THAT WE MIGHT BE FELLOW HELPERS TO THE TRUTH; that is, to the Gospel, and the propagation of it in the world: some are helpers to it, in preaching of it, by making use of the ministerial gifts bestowed upon them; and others are fellow helpers with them, to the same good work, by their purses, communicating freely to the support of those, who labour in the word and doctrine; and these latter have the honour to be co-workers, or fellow labourers with the former, as the word here used signifies. The Alexandrian copy reads, "fellow helpers to the church", that so the whole burd...

COMMENTARY ON THE SECOND EPISTLE THE THIRD EPISTLE The Third Epistle is addressed by the elder, the aged Apostle John, to a brother by name of Gaius. A Gaius is mentioned in Acts 19:29; Acts 20:4, Romans 16:23 and 1 Corinthians 1:14. It is impossible to say whether this is the same. John calls him well-beloved, whom he loved in the truth. Thus he emphasizes the truth once more as he had done before. He wishes that he might prosper in his body, in health, as even his soul prospered. He had heard from the brethren who testified of the truth in him and that he walked in the truth. He rejoiced in this and declares “I have no great

3 JOHN 1:12. COMMENDATION OF DEMETRIUS. He was probably the bearer of this letter and one of the evangelists. The name was so common that any identification with the Demetrius of Acts 19:24 is improbable. 3 JOHN 1:13. CONCLUSION. The writer adds no more because he hopes soon to visit Gaius. He sends greetings from himself and others. 3 John 1:14. the friends: this is almost a technical expression denoting an inner circle in the churches to which the writer and Gaius belonged. Those constituting each group were drawn together by moral affinities and love of the truth. Here the friends at Ephesus send a greeting to Gaius an

THE TEACHER'S JOY (3 John 1:1-4)...

THAT. in order that. Greek. _hina_. MIGHT. may. BE. become. FELLOWHELPERS. Greek. _sunergos._ See 1 Corinthians 3:9....

Gaius praised for his Hospitality: Its special Value 5. _Beloved_ The affectionate address marks a new section (comp. 3 John 1:3_; 3 John 1:11_), but here again the fresh subject grows quite naturally out of what precedes, without any abrupt transition. The good report, which caused the Apostle such joy, testified in particular to the Christian hospitality of Gaius. _thou doest faithfully_ So the Vulgate; _fideliter facis_: Wiclif, Tyndale, and other English Versions take the same view. So also Luther: _du thust treulich_. The Greek is literally, _thou doest_ A FAITHFUL (THING), _whatsoever thou_ WORKEST (same verb as is rendered -wrought" in 2 John 1:8) unto the brethren