Greeting to Gaius

The Elder,

To the beloved Gaius, (A)whom I love in truth:

Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. For I (B)rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. I have no greater (C)joy than to hear that (D)my children walk in [a]truth.

Gaius Commended for Generosity

Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the brethren [b]and for strangers, 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, because they went forth for His name’s sake, (E)taking nothing from the Gentiles. We therefore ought to (F)receive[c] such, that we may become fellow workers for the truth.

Diotrephes and Demetrius

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

  1. 3 John 1:4 NU the truth
  2. 3 John 1:5 NU and especially for
  3. 3 John 1:8 NU support
  4. 3 John 1:10 talking nonsense
  5. 3 John 1:11 NU, M omit but
  6. 3 John 1:12 testify

A Good Report

(A)The elder to the beloved (B)Gaius, whom I (C)love in truth.

Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers. For I (D)was overjoyed when (E)brothers came and testified to your truth, that is, how you (F)are walking in truth. I have no greater joy than [a]this, to hear of (G)my children (H)walking in the truth.

Beloved, you are acting faithfully in whatever you accomplish for the (I)brothers and sisters, and [b]especially when they are (J)strangers; and they have testified to your love before the church. You will do well to [c](K)send them on their way in a manner (L)worthy of God. For they went out for the sake of (M)the Name, (N)accepting nothing from the Gentiles. Therefore we ought to [d]support such people, so that we may [e]prove to be fellow workers [f]with the truth.

I wrote something to the church; but Diotrephes, who loves to (O)be first among them, does not accept [g]what we say. 10 For this reason, (P)if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with malicious words; and not satisfied with this, he himself does not (Q)receive the (R)brothers either, and he forbids those who want to do so and (S)puts them out of the church.

11 Beloved, (T)do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. (U)The one who does what is good is of God; (V)the one who does what is evil has not seen God. 12 Demetrius (W)has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself; and we testify too, and (X)you know that our testimony is true.

13 (Y)I had many things to write to you, but I do not want to write to you with pen and ink; 14 but I hope to see you shortly, and we will speak [h]face to face.

15 (Z)Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends (AA)by name.

Footnotes

  1. 3 John 1:4 Lit these things, that I hear
  2. 3 John 1:5 Lit this
  3. 3 John 1:6 I.e., give them whatever they might need for the journey
  4. 3 John 1:8 Or receive as guests
  5. 3 John 1:8 Or become fellow
  6. 3 John 1:8 Or for
  7. 3 John 1:9 Lit us
  8. 3 John 1:14 Lit mouth to mouth

You Walk in the Truth

The elder [of the church addresses this letter] to the beloved and esteemed Gaius, whom I love in truth.

Beloved, I pray that in every way you may succeed and prosper and be in good health [physically], just as [I know] your soul prospers [spiritually]. For I was greatly pleased when [some of the] brothers came [from time to time] and testified to your [faithfulness to the] truth [of the gospel message], that is, how you are walking in truth. I have no greater joy than this, to hear that my [spiritual] children are living [their lives] in the truth.

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].

I wrote something to the church; but Diotrephes, who loves to put himself first, does not accept what we say and refuses to recognize my authority. 10 For this reason, if I come, I will call attention to what he is doing, unjustly accusing us with wicked words and unjustified charges. And not satisfied with this, he refuses to receive the [missionary] brothers himself, and also forbids those who want to [welcome them] and puts them out of the church.

11 Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but [imitate] what is good. The one who practices good [exhibiting godly character, moral courage and personal integrity] is of God; the one who practices [or permits or tolerates] evil has not seen God [he has no personal experience with Him and does not know Him at all].(A) 12 Demetrius has received a good testimony and commendation from everyone—and from the truth [the standard of God’s word] itself; and we add our testimony and speak well of him, and you know that our testimony is true.

13 I had many things [to say when I began] to write to you, but I prefer not to put it down with pen (reed) and [a]black (ink); 14 but I hope to see you soon, and we will speak [b]face to face.(B)

15 Peace be to you. The friends [here] greet you. Greet the friends [personally] by name.

Footnotes

  1. 3 John 1:13 A mixture of water, charcoal, and gum resin used for writing.
  2. 3 John 1:14 Lit mouth to mouth.

The elder,(A)

To my dear friend Gaius, whom I love in the truth.

Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well. It gave me great joy when some believers(B) came and testified about your faithfulness to the truth, telling how you continue to walk in it.(C) I have no greater joy than to hear that my children(D) are walking in the truth.(E)

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

I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not welcome us. 10 So when I come,(L) I will call attention to what he is doing, spreading malicious nonsense about us. Not satisfied with that, he even refuses to welcome other believers.(M) He also stops those who want to do so and puts them out of the church.(N)

11 Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good.(O) Anyone who does what is good is from God.(P) Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.(Q) 12 Demetrius is well spoken of by everyone(R)—and even by the truth itself. We also speak well of him, and you know that our testimony is true.(S)

13 I have much to write you, but I do not want to do so with pen and ink. 14 I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face.(T)

15 Peace to you.(U) The friends here send their greetings. Greet the friends there by name.(V)

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.