3 John 1:1
FROM THE ELDER. See note on 2 John 1:1. TO MY DEAR GAINS. This is probably the Gaius of Corinth (Romans 16:23).... [ Continue Reading ]
FROM THE ELDER. See note on 2 John 1:1. TO MY DEAR GAINS. This is probably the Gaius of Corinth (Romans 16:23).... [ Continue Reading ]
MY DEAR FRIEND. The theme of this Letter is to praise Gaius for his good work and to urge hospitality. IN GOOD HEALTH. It was usual to _wish health_ as a greeting. Here John wishes health, both physical and spiritual. [Some think this implies that Gaius' health was being drained by his problems with... [ Continue Reading ]
I WAS SO HAPPY. "I know your spirit is in good health, because of the report some brothers brought back to me!" The Greek implies it was a _continuous good report_ that was coming to John. These are brothers whom Gaius has helped.... [ Continue Reading ]
NOTHING MAKES ME HAPPIER. It makes a preacher happy to know that someone he has helped to _grow in Christ_ is being faithful to the truth.... [ Continue Reading ]
YOU ARE SO FAITHFUL. "The hospitality you show to the brothers is especially important! This is evidence of your faith!" John trained evangelists (see note on Ephesians 4:11) and sent them out. They would depend upon the local churches for food and lodging. See Introduction to this Letter. STRANGERS... [ Continue Reading ]
SPOKEN OF YOUR LOVE. "They all praise your good work and the hospitality you showed to them!" PLEASE HELP THEM. "Since the work of ministry must continue, you will be called upon again and again to help. Since you are _God's friend,_ help them in a generous way that will please God!... [ Continue Reading ]
ANY HELP FROM UNBELIEVERS. "In their work of preaching the Good News, they do not ask any help from unbelievers. So they must depend upon people in the church like yourself, to support them." Compare 1 Corinthians 9:6-18; Philippians 4:14-19.... [ Continue Reading ]
WE CHRISTIANS, THEN. John is still urging Gaius to show hospitality to the brothers and strangers who come. "We Christians can all share in the work these brothers are doing by helping them!" We can sometimes fulfill our responsibility (at least part of it) by _proxy._ See Luke 10:35.... [ Continue Reading ]
I WROTE. As an _apostle,_ John supervised the work of the church. He would write many such short letters to _keep in touch_ with many local churches and individuals. BUT DIOTREPHES. We know nothing else about him. He is probably a church elder, and may be a Nicolaitan (See notes on Revelation 2:14-1... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN I COME. John intends to come personally and use his authority as an apostle to deal with Diotrephes (see Acts 13:10-12 and note). EVERYTHING HE HAS DONE. Diotrephes: (1) would not pay attention to John's letter; (2) said terrible things about John (compare Jude 1:15) and told lies to cause trou... [ Continue Reading ]
WHAT IS BAD. "Don't follow the bad example of such people as Diotrephes!" But even Diotrephes is a Christian, and we ought to listen to what Paul says in 2 Thessalonians 3:14-15 and notes. This does not conflict with 2 John 1:10-11 where the circumstances are not the same. WHOEVER DOES. Faith is mad... [ Continue Reading ]
DEMETRIUS. We know nothing more about this man. _Roberts_ thinks he was one of the brothers whom John sent out. But he may have been a church elder along with Diotrephes. He is an example of good. TRUTH ITSELF. "The truth of God, which guides the lives of all believers, is a witness to the one who a... [ Continue Reading ]
I HAVE SO MUCH. This Letter ends much the same as 2 John. John feels it best to write this short letter and deal with things in detail when he can be there in person.... [ Continue Reading ]
I HOPE. John expects to visit Gaius soon. John may have made regular tours to the churches of the area. 15. PEACE BE WITH YOU. [Chapter and verse divisions date from the sixteenth century. Most Greek texts divide a 15th verse, as the TEV has done.] This is the Hebrew style of greeting (1 Peter 5:1... [ Continue Reading ]