Chronological

God’s Truth and Blessings Abide Forever

¹ The elder.

To the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in truth—and not I alone, but also all who have come to know the truth— ² because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever:

³ Grace, mercy, and shalom be with us, from God the Father and from Messiah Yeshua, the Father’s Son, in truth and love!

Lovingly Walk in God’s Truth

⁴ I was overjoyed to find some of your children walking in truth, just as we received as a commandment from the Father. ⁵ Now I ask you, dear lady, that we love one another. It is not as though I am writing you a new command, but the one we have had from the beginning. ^{[a] 6} Now this is love: that we walk according to His commands. This is the commandment—just as you heard from the beginning—that you walk in love.

Protect Against Messianic Pretenders

⁷ For many deceivers have gone out into the world—those who do not acknowledge Yeshua as Messiah coming in human flesh. This one is a deceiver and the anti-messiah. ⁸ Watch yourselves, so you do not lose what we have worked for but receive a full reward. ⁹ Anyone who goes too far and does not remain in Messiah’s teaching does not have God. Anyone who remains in this teaching has both the Father and the Son. ¹⁰ If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not welcome him into your home or even give him a greeting. ¹¹ For the one greeting him shares in his evil deeds.

Brotherly Fellowship Is Joyful

¹² Although I have much to write to you, I don’t want to do it with paper and ink. But I hope to come to you and speak face to face, so that our joy may be full.

¹³ The children of your chosen sister send you greetings.^[b]

The Joys of Walking Out the Truth

¹ The elder.

To Gaius the loved one, whom I love in truth:

² Loved ones, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, just as it is well with your soul. ³ For I was overjoyed when some brethren came and testified of the truth in you—how you are walking in truth. ⁴ I have no greater joy than this—to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

Support Faithful Kingdom Truth Tellers

⁵ Loved ones, you are acting faithfully in whatever you do for the brethren and especially for strangers. ^{[a] 6} They have testified to your love before Messiah’s community. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God. ⁷ For on behalf of the Name they went out, accepting nothing from the pagans. ⁸ Therefore we ought to support such people, so we might become co-workers in the truth.

The Lust for Power Condemned

⁹ I wrote something to Messiah’s community, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, doesn’t welcome us. ¹⁰ So if I do come, I will call attention to what he is doing—slandering us with wicked words. Not even content with that, he refuses to welcome the brethren, and even forbids those who want to do so—throwing them out of the community!

Do Good Like God Does

¹¹ Loved ones, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God.

Virtue Is Honorable

¹² Demetrius has a good testimony from everyone, even from the truth itself. We also vouch for him—and you know that our testimony is true.

Fellowship Is Desirable

¹³ I have much to write you, but I don’t want to write to you with ink and pen. ¹⁴ But I hope to see you soon, and we will speak face to face.

¹⁵ Shalom aleichem. The friends here send their greetings. Greet the friends there by name.