THE WELL-BELOVED GAIUS,— We read of one Gaius, of Corinth, Romans 16:23 who hospitably received St. Paul, when he went out to preach the gospel _gratis;_ and if this were, as he seems to have been, the same, he was St. Paul's convert: nor is St. John's calling him _his child,_ an argument to the con... [ Continue Reading ]
ABOVE ALL THINGS— _In every respect._ Schmidius and Doddridge. The word 'Ευοδουσθαι signifies _to walk in a right path,_ or to go prosperously on one's way; from whence it is applied to prosperity in general. See 1 Corinthians 16:2. Comp. Psalms 1:3.... [ Continue Reading ]
TESTIFIED OF THE TRUTH— _Testified concerning the truth_ (σου τη αληθεια), _as thou walkest in the truth,_ and adornest the gospel by an exemplary behaviour.... [ Continue Reading ]
TO HEAR THAT MY CHILDREN— There is no occasion to understand hereby that they were all St. John's own converts: (see 1 John 2:1) he had styled himself the _elder;_ there was therefore a beauty in his calling all those _his children,_ who were under his apostolic care, or paternal inspection; and he... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU DOEST FAITHFULLY— "As becomes a faithful Christian." The Papists have contrived, by various falsifications, to make the scriptures speak the language of their church. We have given a remarkable instance on James 5:11. Here we have another; for "St. John," say they, "praises Gaius, for having _d... [ Continue Reading ]
IF THOU BRING FORWARD ON THEIR JOURNEY— If, according to your wonted kindness, you will do what in you lies to give them all needful assistances for their journey, in a manner suitable to your own Christian temper, and to their relation to, and employment for God, you will act (καλως) a worthy part... [ Continue Reading ]
BECAUSE THAT FOR HIS NAME'S SAKE— "For the sake of spreading the name or religion of Jesus:" out of zeal for his honour and interest, they went out, abandoned their habitations, possessions, and callings, that they might spread his gospel; _receiving nothing of the Gentiles_ among whom they laboured... [ Continue Reading ]
WE THEREFORE OUGHT TO RECEIVE SUCH, &C.— "It therefore certainly is our duty, who wish well to the cause of Christ and to immortal souls, to take such generous, and disinterested, and needy ministers into our affectionate care and kind regards; and to be helpful to them according to our ability, tha... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT DIOTREPHES,— Diotrephes has been taken for a Gentile Christian, who would not receive the Jewish Christians; and it must be acknowledged that it was a common name among the Gentiles: but it is also well known, that Alexander, Philip, Stephen, AEneas, and many other Gentile names, were common amo... [ Continue Reading ]
IF I COME,— _When I come._ See 1 John 3:2. 2 Corinthians 13:2. Diotrephes's turning out of the church such as displeased him, renders it highly probable that he was bishop or pastor of that church. See the former note.... [ Continue Reading ]
FOLLOW NOT THAT WHICH IS EVIL,— _Imitate not,_ &c. As Diotrephes seems to have been pastor of the church where Gaius lived, and a zealous, conceited, Judaizing Christian, it is not unlikely but he made boasting pretensions to greater knowledge of God and of the Gospel than St. John had; and lest suc... [ Continue Reading ]
DEMETRIUS HATH GOOD REPORT— Good men are in scripture often and justly praised; and the giving of such characters did not proceed from selfishness, flattery, or respect of persons, but from the real truth of the case. When the scriptures condemn persons, it is not from malice or personal resentment,... [ Continue Reading ]
GREET THE FRIENDS BY NAME.— St. John's saluting the faithful Christians by name, shewed his paternal and affectionate regard for them, and tended, under the divine blessing, to keep them steadfast in the truth and purity of the gospel. Comp. 1 Corinthians 16:21; 1 Corinthians 16:24. _INFERENCES.—_Ho... [ Continue Reading ]