3 John 1 - IVP New Testament Commentaries

Closing Greetings

The Elder's closing greetings echo those of 2 John 12. These greetings show, once again, the high premium placed on Christian love and fellowship. While 3 John does not include the formulaic greeting, "grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ" (2 Jn 3), the simple peace to you, when coupled with the greeting that Gaius is one whom the Elder loves in the truth (v. 1), expresses the same heartfelt prayer. Gaius will have peace as he abides in the truth (v. 1) and shares in the fellowship of love that comes from God and binds believers to one another.