The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth. Ver. 1. _Unto the wellbeloved Gaius_] A rich Corinthian, rich in this world and rich in good works; a rare bird, at Corinth especially, where St Paul found them the richer the harder, and far behind the poor Macedonians in works of cha... [ Continue Reading ]
Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. Ver. 2. _That thou mayest prosper_] Gr. ευοδουσθαι, that thou mayest make a good voyage of it, and come safe and sound to thy journey's end. _ Even as thy soul prospereth_] By the blessing of h... [ Continue Reading ]
For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth. Ver. 3. _Testified of the truth_] This was their ingenuity, thus, at least, to requite their host by giving testimony of his liberality, and this his liberality proved the t... [ Continue Reading ]
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. Ver. 4. _I have no greater joy_] _See Trapp on "_ 2Jn 1:4 _"_ Walk in truth] Not walk to the alehouse, walk about with tales to shed blood, walk after the flesh, as too many of our hearers do, to our singular heartbreak.... [ Continue Reading ]
Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers; Ver. 5. _Thou dost faithfully_] That is, out of faith, and as beseemeth a faithful Christian. They that give alms, &c., and not out of faith, they do worse than lose their labour, for they commit sin. _ And to... [ Continue Reading ]
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: Ver. 6. _After a godly sort_] Gr. αξιως του Θεου, worthy of God, as seeing God in them, and as beseemeth his servants, who are princes in all lands, Psalms... [ Continue Reading ]
Because that for his name's sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles. Ver. 7. _They went forth_] To preach and gain souls to God. And this they did gratis, as Paul, because the false apostles did so at Corinth, seeking occasion against the true teachers, 2 Corinthians 11:12 .... [ Continue Reading ]
We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth. Ver. 8. _That we might be fellowhelpers_] And so receive a prophet's reward. _See Trapp on "_ Mat 10:41 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. Ver. 9. _I wrote unto the church_] _sc._ Of Corinth, where Paul baptized Gaius, and where Diotrephes seems to have been a great sect-master, and chief of those deceitful workers that there so m... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 10. _Prating against us_] One would wonder wha... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 11. _Follow not_] Make not such a man as Diotrephes your pattern for imitation; though he ruffle it among you, and will needs be the only man. _ Hath not see... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 12. _Of all men_] Of all good men; for God reckons of men according to their goodness. As a good name only is a name, Ecclesiastes 7:1, and a good wife only a... [ Continue Reading ]
I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee: Ver. 13. _I will not with ink_] In vain is the word written in books, unless it be also written in our hearts, Jeremiah 31:33 . _ With paper_] Which was of old made of a certain plant of Nile called Papyrus, but now it is... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 14. _But I trust_] He could promise nothing peremptorily, but submits to God. _See Trapp on "_ Jam 4:15 _"_ Face to face] As iron whets iron, so dot... [ Continue Reading ]