3 John 1:9

I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. I WROTE. 'Aleph (') A B add [ ti (G5100)], 'something:' a communication, probably as to receiving the brethren with brotherly love (3 John 1:8; 3 John 1:10). That letter was not designed by the Spirit for the universal Church, else it would have been preserved. UNTO THE CHURCH - to which Caius belongs. LOVETH ... PRE-EMINENCE - through ambition. Evidently occupying a high place in that church: a Judaizer, and so opposed to the missionaries who preached the doctrines of grace to the Gentiles ...

9-12 Both the heart and mouth must be watched. The temper and spirit of Diotrephes was full of pride and ambition. It is bad not to do good ourselves; but it is worse to hinder those who would do good. Those cautions and counsels are most likely to be accepted, which are seasoned with love. Follow that which is good, for he that doeth good, as delighting therein, is born of God. Evil-workers vainly pretend or boast acquaintance with God. Let us not follow that which is proud, selfish, and of bad design, though the example may be given by persons of rank and power; but let us be followers of God, and walk in love, after the example of our Lord....

Verse 3 John 1:9. _I WROTE UNTO THE CHURCH._] The Church where Caius was; _but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the pre-eminence_, φιλοπρωτευων, _who loves the presidency_, or _chief place_ in the Church. He was doubtless an officer in the Church, at least a deacon, probably a bishop; and, being one, he magnified himself in his office; he loved such eminence, and behaved himself haughtily in it. _RECEIVETH US NOT._] Does not acknowledge the apostolical authority. As some MSS. supply αν after εγραψα, and several judicious critics believe it is implied, the translation will run thus: _I would have written to the Church_ to receive these men kindly, _but Diotrephes, who affects the presidency_; and into whose hands, if I wrote to the Church, my letter must come, _receiveth us_ _not_-would not acknowledge my authority to interfere

I WROTE UNTO THE CHURCH - That is on the former occasion when they went forth. At that time, John naturally commended them to the kind attentions of the church, not doubting but that aid would be rendered them in prosecuting their benevolent work among the Gentiles. The Epistle which was written on that occasion is now lost, and its contents cannot now be ascertained. It was, probably, however, a letter of mere commendation, perhaps stating the object which these brethren had in view, and soliciting the aid of the church. The Latin Vulgate renders this: “scripsissem forsan ecclesiae, “I would have written, perhaps, to the church, but Diotrephes,” etc. Macknight also renders this, “I would have written,” supposing the sense to be, that John would have commended them to the whole church rather than to a private member, if he had not been aware of the influence and opposition of Diotrephes....

I WROTE UNTO THE CHURCH,.... Where Gaius was a member: those who take Gaius to be the same with Paul's host, and whom he baptized at Corinth, think the church at Corinth is here meant; but it seems rather to be meant of some church in Asia nearer Ephesus; nor is it likely that John's first epistle should be here intended, which makes no mention of relieving the brethren, the ministers of the Gospel, that came from Judea: and that this epistle should not be preserved, need not seem strange; for it cannot be thought that everything that was written by him to particular persons, or churches, should be continued. The Alexandrian copy and one of Stephens's read, "I wrote something to the church"; upon this head, concerning receiving and supporting ministers of the Gospel, and so prevents an objection that Gaius might make, why did he not write to the church about it? The Vulgate Latin version...

VER. 3 JOHN 1:9 e;graya, ti {B} The reading that best explains the origin of the others appears to be e;graya, ti, read by a* A (B) 048 1241 1739 (copsa, bo) arm. In order to prevent the reader from drawing the conclusion that an apostolic letter was lost, the reading e;graya a;n (“I would have written …”) was introduced into ac 33 81 181 614 vg _al_. Other copyists, to avoid undue deprecation of apostolic authority, omitted ti (C K L P Y most minuscules, followed by the Textus Receptus). The readings e;graya,j ti (B copsa, bo) and e;graya auvth|/ (326c)

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)...

WROTE. wrote something, as the texts. DIOTREPHES. Nothing is known of him. WHO LOVETH, &C. Greek. _philoproteuo,_ love to be first. AMONG. of. RECEIVETH. Greek. _epidechomai._ Only here and 3 John 1:10....