3 John
New Catholic Bible
Salutation. 1 The Presbyter[a] to my beloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth. 2 Beloved, I pray that everything is going well with you and that your bodily health is equal to that of your soul.[b]
Commendation of Gaius. 3 I rejoiced greatly when some of the brethren[c] arrived and related how faithful you are to the truth, and that you continue to walk in the truth. 4 Nothing gives me greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
5 [d]Beloved, you have been faithful in everything you do for the brethren, especially to strangers. 6 They have testified before the Church to your love. Please continue to help them on their journey in a manner worthy of God. 7 For they began their journey for the sake of the Name,[e] and they have refused to accept any support from nonbelievers. 8 Therefore, we ought to show hospitality to such people so that we may be collaborators in the truth.
Condemnation and Diotrephes. 9 I have previously written something to the Church, but Diotrephes,[f] who enjoys being in a position of leadership, refuses to acknowledge our authority. 10 Therefore, if I come, I shall draw attention to what he is doing. He has circulated false charges against us. And not content with that, he not only refuses to welcome the brethren but interferes with those who want to do so and expels them from the Church.
11 Exhortation to Gaius. Beloved, do not imitate what is evil; rather, imitate what is good. Whoever does what is good is from God. Whoever does what is evil has never seen God.[g]
12 Example of Demetrius. Everyone has spoken favorably about Demetrius,[h] and so has the Truth itself. We also will vouch for him, and you are well aware that our testimony is true.
13 Conclusion.[i]I have much to write to you, but I do not think it prudent to do so with pen and ink. 14 Instead, I hope to visit you in the very near future, when we can talk together face to face.
15 Peace be with you. The friends[j] send you their greetings. Greet each of our friends there by name.
Footnotes
- 3 John 1:1 Presbyter: see note on 2 Jn 1. Gaius: a loyal member of one of the churches in the province of Asia, who bears a common Roman name—one mentioned in four other places in the New Testament (Acts 19:29; 20:4; Rom 16:23; 1 Cor 1:14).
- 3 John 1:2 John wishes Gaius well both spiritually and physically, for he knows that grace and health are two of the greatest gifts of God.
- 3 John 1:3 Brethren: most likely itinerant missionaries to whom Gaius showed Christian hospitality. Walk in the truth: i.e., practice true Christian living.
- 3 John 1:5 Apparently, the early Church provided hospitality and support for missionaries because they had given up their means of livelihood in order to preach the faith to others and deserved some kind of compensation (see 1 Cor 9:3-12).
- 3 John 1:7 Name: of Jesus Christ (see note on Acts 5:41), which expresses the mystery of his divinity (see Phil 2:9; Jas 2:7; 1 Jn 2:12; 3:23; 5:13).
- 3 John 1:9 Diotrephes: a leader of the local church who overstepped his boundaries. He not only failed to give allegiance to the Presbyter but also refused to offer hospitality and support to the missionaries who came to his church.
- 3 John 1:11 John exhorts Gaius to keep on doing good and not be swayed by the un-Christian behavior of Diotrephes.
- 3 John 1:12 Demetrius: possibly the bearer of the Letter. He may have been an important member of the community or one of the missionaries. Spoken favorably . . . and so has the Truth itself: most likely, John is referring to the Truth of the Gospel in Demetrius’ life. Like Gaius, Demetrius is “walking in the truth.” He lives the life of love.
- 3 John 1:13 See 2 Jn 12-13 for a similar conclusion.
- 3 John 1:15 Friends: probably those who oppose Diotrephes and are loyal to the Presbyter.
3 John
New King James Version
Greeting to Gaius
1 The Elder,
To the beloved Gaius, (A)whom I love in truth:
2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. 3 For I (B)rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. 4 I have no greater (C)joy than to hear that (D)my children walk in [a]truth.
Gaius Commended for Generosity
5 Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the brethren [b]and for strangers, 6 who have borne witness of your love before the church. If you send them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God, you will do well, 7 because they went forth for His name’s sake, (E)taking nothing from the Gentiles. 8 We therefore ought to (F)receive[c] such, that we may become fellow workers for the truth.
Diotrephes and Demetrius
9 I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us. 10 Therefore, if I come, I will call to mind his deeds which he does, (G)prating[d] against us with malicious words. And not content with that, he himself does not receive the brethren, and forbids those who wish to, putting them out of the church.
11 Beloved, (H)do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. (I)He who does good is of God, [e]but he who does evil has not seen (J)God.
12 Demetrius (K)has a good testimony from all, and from the truth itself. And we also [f]bear witness, (L)and you know that our testimony is true.
Farewell Greeting
13 (M)I had many things to write, but I do not wish to write to you with pen and ink; 14 but I hope to see you shortly, and we shall speak face to face.
Peace to you. Our friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.
Footnotes
- 3 John 1:4 NU the truth
- 3 John 1:5 NU and especially for
- 3 John 1:8 NU support
- 3 John 1:10 talking nonsense
- 3 John 1:11 NU, M omit but
- 3 John 1:12 testify
3 Juan
La Biblia de las Américas
Saludo
1 El anciano(A) al amado Gayo(B), a quien yo amo en verdad(C).
El buen testimonio de Gayo
2 Amado, ruego que seas prosperado en todo así como prospera tu alma, y que tengas buena salud. 3 Pues me alegré mucho(D) cuando algunos hermanos vinieron y dieron testimonio[a] de tu verdad(E), esto es, de cómo andas en la verdad. 4 No tengo mayor gozo que este: oír[b] que mis hijos(F) andan en la verdad(G).
5 Amado, estás obrando fielmente en lo que haces por los hermanos(H), y sobre todo cuando se trata de extraños(I); 6 pues ellos dan testimonio de tu amor ante la iglesia. Harás bien en ayudarles a proseguir su viaje[c](J) de una manera digna de Dios(K). 7 Pues ellos salieron por amor al Nombre(L), no aceptando nada de los gentiles(M). 8 Por tanto, debemos acoger a tales hombres[d], para que seamos colaboradores en pro de la verdad.
El mal testimonio de Diótrefes
9 Escribí algo a la iglesia, pero Diótrefes, a quien le gusta ser el primero entre ellos(N), no acepta lo que decimos[e]. 10 Por esta razón, si voy(O), llamaré la atención a[f] las obras que hace, acusándonos injustamente con palabras maliciosas; y no satisfecho con esto, él mismo no recibe(P) a los hermanos(Q), se lo prohíbe a los que quieren hacerlo y los expulsa de la iglesia(R).
Elogio de Demetrio
11 Amado, no imites lo malo sino lo bueno(S). El que hace lo bueno es de Dios(T); el que hace lo malo no ha visto a Dios(U). 12 Demetrio tiene[g] buen testimonio de parte de todos(V) y de parte de la verdad misma; también nosotros damos testimonio y tú sabes que nuestro testimonio es verdadero(W).
Despedida
13 Tenía muchas cosas que escribirte(X), pero no quiero escribírtelas con pluma y tinta, 14 pues espero verte en breve y hablaremos cara a cara[h].
15 La paz sea contigo(Y). Los amigos te saludan. Saluda a los amigos, a cada uno por nombre(Z).
Footnotes
- 3 Juan 1:3 O, me alegro mucho cuando algunos hermanos vienen y dan testimonio
- 3 Juan 1:4 Lit., que estas cosas, que oigo
- 3 Juan 1:6 O, proveerles para el viaje
- 3 Juan 1:8 O, recibir a tales hombres como invitados
- 3 Juan 1:9 Lit., no nos acepta
- 3 Juan 1:10 Lit., le recordaré
- 3 Juan 1:12 Lit., ha recibido
- 3 Juan 1:14 Lit., boca a boca
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
