3 John 1 - Introduction

THE title, like that of the Gospel and of the other two Epistles, is not original, and is found in various forms, the most ancient being the simplest. Ἰωάννου or Ἰωάνου γ̅ ([934][935]). Ἰωάννου ἐπιστολὴ γ̅ ([936]). ἐπιστολὴ τρίτη τοῦ ἁγίου� ([937]). As in the Second Epistle, the title in [938] is missing. Some authorities insert καθολική, which is manifestly inappropriate. The Second Epistle may be addressed to a local Church and be intended to be encyclical: beyond doubt this is addressed to an individual.

[934] 4th century. Discovered by Tischendorf in 1859 at the monastery of S. Catherine on Mount Sinai, and now at Petersburg. All three Epistles.
[935] 4th century. Brought to Rome about 1460. It is entered in the earliest catalogue of the Vatican Library, 1475. All three Epistles.
[936] 5th century. A palimpsest: the original writing has been partially rubbed out and the works of Ephraem the Syrian have been written over it. In the National Library at Paris. Part of the First and Third Epistles; 1 John 1:1 to 1 John 4:2; 3 John 1:3-14. Of the whole N.T. the only Books entirely missing are 2 John and 2 Thessalonians.

[937] 9th century. All three Epistles.
[938] 5th century. Brought by Cyril Lucar, Patriarch of Constantinople, from Alexandria, and afterwards presented by him to Charles I. in 1628. In the British Museum. All three Epistles.