Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers and sisters,[a](A) even though they are strangers to you.(B) They have told the church about your love. Please send them on their way(C) in a manner that honors(D) God. It was for the sake of the Name(E) that they went out, receiving no help from the pagans.(F) We ought therefore to show hospitality to such people so that we may work together for the truth.

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Footnotes

  1. 3 John 1:5 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family.

Beloved, you are acting faithfully in what you are providing for the brothers, and especially when they are strangers; and they have testified before the church of your love and friendship. You will do well to [assist them and] send them on their way in a manner worthy of God. For these [traveling missionaries] went out for the sake of the Name [of Christ], accepting nothing [in the way of assistance] from the Gentiles. So we ought to support such people [welcoming them as guests and providing for them], so that we may be fellow workers for the truth [that is, for the gospel message of salvation].

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Caring for the Lord’s Workers

Dear friend, you are being faithful to God when you care for the traveling teachers who pass through, even though they are strangers to you. They have told the church here of your loving friendship. Please continue providing for such teachers in a manner that pleases God. For they are traveling for the Lord,[a] and they accept nothing from people who are not believers.[b] So we ourselves should support them so that we can be their partners as they teach the truth.

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Footnotes

  1. 7a Greek They went out on behalf of the Name.
  2. 7b Greek from Gentiles.