3 John 1

3 John 1:1

THe elder] See on 2 Joh. v. 1.

Gaius] Not to Gaius of Derbe, mentioned, Acts 20:4. nor of Macedonia, spoken of, Acts 19:29. but of Corinth, as is commonly thought, 1 Corinthians 1:14. Pauls host, Romans 6:23.

in the truth] Or, truely. See on 2 Joh. v. 1.

3 John 1:2

I wish] Or, pray.

above all things] Gr. of all things. Or, in all things. He wisheth that Gaius may prosper in all persons and things belonging to him.

that thou mayest prosper] Gr. go well in the way. Romans 1:10. Our life is the way to heaven, and John wisheth Gaius a comfortable passage thither, 1 Corinthians 16:2.

and be in health] In bodily health; for spirituall health followeth.

as thy soul prospereth] By peace of conscience, through faith in Christ, Romans 5:1-2.

3 John 1:3

I rejoyced greatly] See 2 Joh. v. 4.

when the brethren came, and testified of the truth that is in thee] The brethren sent by John about the publike affairs of the Church, and commended to the Church of Corinth, where Gaius lived, by Johns epistle, v. 9. refused by Diotrephes, v. 10. entertained by Gaius, v. 5, 6. and now returned to John, testified of Gaius his sincerity in religion (John 3:21.) and his kinde entertainment of them, v. 6. So Paul doth, Philippians 4:10; Philippians 4:18. 2 Corinthians 9:1. Hebrews 6:10. Or it may be understood of any Christians that came from thence.

even as thou walkest in the truth] In the true way set out in the Gospel. See on 2 Joh. v. 4.

3 John 1:4

then] Gr. then these joys. Or, then of these things.

that my children] Converted by my ministery, 1 Corinthians 4:15. 1 Timothy 1:2. Philem. v. 10. Galatians 4:19. Titus 1:4.

walk in the truth] See on v. 3.

3 John 1:5

thou doest faithfully] As becometh a faithfull Christian. Or, like a good steward of worldly goods received from God, 1 Pet. 4. 10.

whatsoever thou doest] In entertaining the saints. It was, no doubt, a great comfort to Gaius, that the Spirit of God commends his charity by Johns pen, which Diotrephes and his followers disliked.

to the brethren, and to strangers] To those poor Christians that live by thee, and to others that come to sojourn there a while, Isaiah 58:6. Matthew 10:40. and Matthew 25:35. Romans 12:13. Hebrews 13:2. 1 Peter 4:9. Or, to the brethren, yea, to strangers; as this particle is used, Matthew 26:60. Thy kindnesse stays not at thy neighbour-Christians, but extends it self to strangers also.

Or, by and is meant especially, as Matthew 13:41. Mark 16:7. and elsewhere, where a speciall is put after his generall. Thy kindnesse to all Christians, sheweth thy faithfulnesse to God, but especially that which is shewed to such as came to preach the Gospel, or were driven from their own home for the profession of it, v. 7. For such being unknown there, and not able to recompense kindnesse received; this kinde of charity is highly praised by God, Deuteronomy 10:18-19. Luke 14:14. Or, to the brethren, even to the strangers: To wit, sent by John.

See on v. 3. So the particle is used, Mark 18:25.

3 John 1:6

Which have born witnesse] See on v. 3.

of thy charity] To others. Or, of thy kinde entertainment of them.

before the church] In the assembly where John was.

whom if thou bring forward on their journey] It may be they might be some godly Christians coming from beyond Corinth to John for publike advice, from the Churches, whom Gaius had kindly used; and now he adviseth him to do so in their return. Or, if it be meant of those that had returned to John, being sent from him before, he perswadeth Gaius to use them kindly when he shall have occasion to send them again. Or it may be understood of others such like, v. 5. whom John would have Gaius to go along withall some part of their way, as Christians used to do to their brethren that were strangers, especially to ministers, Acts 15:3. and Acts 20:38. and 21. . 1 Corinthians 16:11. 2 Corinthians 1:16. Titus 3:13. either because they were ignorant of the way, or the way might be unsafe, or they subject to persecution there; so that rich men, and great ones, such as Gaius seems to be, might be a great security to them, by going or sending company with them. Or it might be done to honour and comfort those strangers, or that themselves might get as much good by their society as might be. Others understand it of providing things needfull for their journey, till they might come to other Christians, who might take further care of them.

after a godly sort] Gr. worthy of God. According to Gods command. Or, worthy of the profession of Gods truth, as Christians ought to do, to credite their religion. Or, honourably, as the ministers and children of God ought to be received. Or, as they would receive God, Matthew 10:40.

thou shalt do well] Or, thou shalt do them a good turn.

3 John 1:7

Because, &c.] Because their wants come on them for their love to the true religion, they are worthy to be relieved by the true professours of it.

for his Names sake] God’s, v. 6. To make his Name known, by preaching it, or suffering for it; as on v. 5.

taking nothing of the Gentiles] They took no reward of the Gentiles for preaching to them, Matth. 10. 7, 8. that men might more willingly receive the Gospel, 1 Corinthians 9:18-19. 2 Cor. 11. 9, 12. and 12. 14. Or, being persecuted for their religion, they left all their goods to their persecutours, and fled for their lives.

3 John 1:8

We therefore] We Christians, yea, we Jewish Christians especially, that they may preach to the Gentiles, to bring them in to joyn with us.

ought to receive such] To offer and afford them entertainment voluntarily, before they ask for it, Gen. 28. 1, 3. and 19. 1, 2. Luke 24:29. Hebrews 3:2.

that we might be fellow-helpers] Gr. fellow-workmen. By supplying them with means, that they may preach the truth, or suffer for it the more willingly. This is a great encouragement to help others, that we are accounted to have a part in the work, though it be a prophet’s, and shall have a part in the reward, Matthew 10:41. Also it may intimate, that as they were relieved by these now, so these may by them in the work another time, 2 Corinthians 8:14.

to the truth] Or, for the truth. Or, in the truth.

3 John 1:9

I wrote] To recommend these brethren to the Churches which they were to passe by.

unto the Church] Of Corinth, where Gaius was an eminent member.

but Diotrephes] But I fear, or, I hear, Diotrephes hath refused to receive them.

who loveth to have the preeminence] It seemeth he was pastour there, and would not let strange ministers be received, lest he should be slighted.

receiveth us not] Acknowledgeth not our authority, by receiving our epistle. Or, receiveth not me, and such as I am; as v. 10.

3 John 1:10

I will remember] Gr. I will make mention of. I will speak of them publikely there, to his disgrace.

prating] Gr. talking foolishly, or vainly.

against us] Against me John 3 as v. 9. See on v. 12. Or, me, and them I sent.

and not content therewith] As if he were not satisfied with disgracing my person, he refuseth, and harshly useth, such as are sent by me.

receive the brethren] He should have entertained them kindly, hecause he professeth himself a brother to them, as being one of the same religion. See on v. 5.

forbiddeth them that would] This sheweth great malice against them. He will not let any receive them.

and casteth them out of the church] Refuseth communion with these strangers, or those that received them, John 9:34. No doubt this was a great discouragement to Gaius, from his pastour; yet he obeys the apostle, who had more power over him, v. 5.

3 John 1:11

Follow not] Gr. Imitate not. For they that follow, go the same way. And, to walk after Gods precepts, or according to them, in Scripture-phrase is all one.

that which is evil, but that which is good] Not the evil example of Diotrephes, v. 9, 10. but the good example of Demtrius, v. 12. Romans 12:9. Or, imitate not Diotrephes in any of his evil ways; but follow him neverthelesse in any thing that is good, Matthew 23:3.

hath not seen God] By the eyes of faith. Hath not known him to his good, 1 John 4:8. For God cannot be seen, John 1:18. 1 John 4:20.

3 John 1:12

Demetrius hath good report of all men] Of most men, yea, of heathen also, 1 Timothy 3:7. because they got good by him, or heard him much commended by others. Or, of all the brethren that live in those parts, and would have of all others, if they knew him.

and of the truth it self] From his actions, John 3:21. Proverbs 31:31. Or, of God, who is the truth it self, 1 John 5:6. Or, he is to be commended indeed, not for the speech of the people onely, which sometimes proves untrue.

yea, and we also bear record] I John do it, as v. 9. Or, we have found him kinde to us, and do acknowledge it, as v. 6. This also might comfort Demetrius against Diotrephes, who took a contrary course. See on v. 5.

and ye know] John 19:35. and John 21:24.

that our record is true] That we use not to flatter, but to speak truely, John 21:24.

3 John 1:13

I have many things to write, &c.] See on 2 Joh. v. 12.

3 John 1:14

But I trust, &c.] See on 2 Joh. v. 12.

face to face] Gr. mouth to mouth. See on 2 Joh. v. 12.

peace be to thee] John 20:19; John 20:21; John 20:26. See on 2 Joh. v. 10.

our friends] The faithfull Christians with me here, who love both me and you.

salute thee] Wish thee all happinesse.

greet the friends] Our Christian brethren which are with you; so called, because of their great affection they bear one to another, Titus 3:15. Naturall brethren may fail one another before Christian friends will, Proverbs 18:24.

by name] Severally. Either John knew all their names, or else they were as dear to him as those friends whom he knew by name, Exodus 33:12. Thus he sheweth not a vulgar or common, but a peculiar, paternall, pastorall love unto them.