Third letter of John
Introduction
11[From:] The old (elder), [Greek , can refer to someone of advanced age or to a church leader. In this case, both descriptions apply to John, who at the time this letter was written was the last of the twelve apostles still alive.]
to Gaius
the belowed
whom I love [selflessly and generously] in truth. [Gaius is close to John. Beloved, the Greek adjective agapetos, is used here and in verses 2, 5, and 11.] 2Beloved [brother Gaius], in everything (in all things) I pray (wish) that you may prosper (succeed, flourish; Greek euodoo means: ‘have a successful journey’, see ) and that you may be in good health, just as your soul is well [see verses 3 and 4]. [John not only prays for his brother, but also desires with all his heart that Gaius will in every way ‘flourish and bear fruit’ in his continued walk with the Lord.] 3For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers (the brothers and sisters in the faith) came and testified of the truth that is in you (that you possess; literally, ‘about your truth’), just as you [also] walk (live) in the truth. 4Nothing makes me happier than to hear that my children [the members of the congregation to whom John was like a spiritual father] are walking (living) in the truth.Show hospitality
Gaius – a good example
5Beloved [brother Gaius], you show yourself faithful in all you do for the brothers (the brothers and sisters in the faith), even for those who are strangers. 6They have testified before the church of your love [which is unselfish and generous], and you do well to equip them for the journey in a manner worthy of God. 7For it is for the Name's sake [to serve Jesus] that they have gone out, and they accept no support from the Gentiles. 8Therefore, we are obliged (it is our duty) to support such people, so that we may work together for the truth.Diotrephes – a baad example
9I have written to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to be first among them, does not accept (welcome) us. 10If I come, I will remind him of what he is doing, how he is spreading malicious rumours about us. Not content with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers (the brothers and sisters in the faith), and when others want to do so, he prevents them and expels them from the church. [Diotrephes was driven by his ego and lust for power. He:
• was conceited, see verse 9,
• spoke ill of others, see verse 10,
• did not welcome good travelling preachers and missionaries, including John's disciples, see verse 10,
• prevented others from welcoming them, see verse 10,
• excluded people from the church community because they had welcomed the missionaries, see verse 10.] 11Beloved [brother Gaius]:
Do not follow (imitate/emulate) evil
but good (that which is good).
He who does good is from (is of) [belongs to] God, he who does evil has not seen God [distinguished God clearly]. [John urges Gaius not to follow bad examples (such as Diotrephes, just mentioned, see verses 9–10), but good ones such as Demetrius, mentioned in the next verse.]Demetrius – a good example
12Everyone has spoken well (testifies) of Demetrius [who is probably the one who brought this letter to Gaius]. Even the truth also agrees with this testimony.
[He lived as he taught, his life was consistent with the truth of the faith.]
We too can attest (testify) to this,
and you know that our testimony is true. [Three witnesses confirm Demetrius' character, see . The verb in the expression ‘all speak well of’ is in the perfect tense, indicating that the testimony about Demetrius had been given over a long period of time and was still valid. He is otherwise unknown. It is unlikely that the silversmith who was an opponent of the gospel is the same person, see . Demetrius was a common name at that time.]Final greeting
[The ending is very similar to the ending of the previous letter, but it is not a verbatim repetition, see . In Greek, the sentences are even more different in form than they appear in English. The word ‘soon’ in verse 14 is a difference and shows that the problem with Diotrephes is urgent.] 13I had much [more I intended to include when I began] to write, but I do not want to do so with ink and pen. 14I hope to see you [Gaius] soon, and then we will talk face to face (literally: “mouth to mouth”). 15Peace (harmony, freedom from fear, well-being) be with you.
Your friends [here] send their greetings.
Greet your friends [],
each one personally.
