3 John 1

1 The elder [a respected leader], To the beloved [cherished] Gaius, whom I [the speaker] love [show esteem and goodwill] in [within the realm of] the truth [reality, sincerity]: word study 2 Beloved [dearly loved, cherished], I pray [wish, desire] that in every way [all things, every aspect] you may prosper [succeed, have a successful journey] and enjoy good health [be in health, have sound health], as [just as, in the same manner] your soul [the breath of life, seat of emotions] also prospers [gets along well, flourishes]. word study 3 For I was overjoyed [exceedingly glad, rejoiced greatly] when the brothers [fellow believers, brethren] came and testified [gave witness, bore witness] about your devotion [commitment, faithfulness] to the truth [reality, God’s message], in which [the reality of a matter] you continue to walk [live, follow]. word study 4 I have [no other, none] no greater joy [deep and lasting happiness] than to hear [to listen and understand, to obey] that my [beloved, dear] children [spiritual offspring, those helped to believe in Christ] are walking [living, following] in [according to, in the midst of] the truth [reality, verity]. word study 5 Beloved [cherished by God], you are faithful [trustworthy, dependable] in what you are doing [accomplishing, working] for the brothers [fellow believers, brethren], and especially since they are strangers [foreign, guests] to you. word study 6 They have testified [borne witness, spoken well] to the church [assembly, community of believers] about your [unconditional] love [agape, affection]. You will do well [rightly] to send them on their way [help them on their journey] in a manner [appropriately, worthily] worthy of [befitting, honoring] God [the one true deity]. word study 7 For they went out [on a mission, traveling] on behalf of the Name [the character and authority of God], accepting [taking, receiving] nothing [no financial support, no compensation] from the Gentiles [non-Jewish people, nations]. word study 8 Therefore [then, as a consequence] we ought [are under obligation] to support [welcome, receive as guests] such men [people of this kind, like these], so that we may be [become, come into being as] fellow workers [co-laborers, sharing the load] for the truth [reality, authenticity, the true faith]. word study 9 I have written [somewhat, a letter] to the church [assembly, congregation] about this, but Diotrephes [who is cherished by Zeus], who loves [desires, is eager] to be first [have the preeminence, be in charge], will not accept [welcome, receive] our instruction [authority, teaching]. word study 10 So if [in the event that, if it happens that] I come, I will call attention to his malicious [evil, wicked] slander [false and damaging accusations] against us. And unsatisfied [not content, displeased] with that, he refuses to welcome [receive, accept] the brothers [fellow believers, Christian brethren] and forbids [prevents, prohibits] those who want to do so, even putting [expelling, casting out] them out of the church [assembly, community of believers]. word study 11 Beloved [dearly loved, cherished by God], do not imitate [follow, copy] what is evil [wicked, harmful], but [on the contrary] what is good [beneficial, righteous]. The one who does [practices, performs] good [acts of kindness, righteousness] is of [belongs to, comes from] God [the Almighty, Creator]; the one who does [commits, perpetuates] evil [wrong, injustice] has not seen [experienced, known] God [the Holy One, Savior]. word study 12 Demetrius [a faithful disciple] has received a good testimony [a witness of his character] from everyone [all people, the whole community], and from the truth [the reality of God’s nature] itself. We also testify [bear witness, give evidence] for him, and you know [perceive, are aware] that our testimony [a witness of faith] is true [genuine and reliable]. word study 13 I have many [a large number] things to write [record, express] to you, but I would prefer [am unwilling, do not desire] not to do so [to write them down] with pen [reed, writing instrument] and ink [black fluid used for writing]. word study 14 Instead, I hope [hope and expect] to see you soon and speak with you face to face [mouth to mouth, openly and honestly]. Peace [harmony, prosperity, and freedom from war] to you. The friends [loved ones, dear companions] here send you greetings [pay their respects to you]. Greet each of our friends [beloved brethren, dear ones] there by name [with personal affection and recognition]. word study