3 John 1:1-8 (NKJV) The Elder, To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth:
2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. 3 For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
5 Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the brethren and for strangers, 6 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, 7 because they went forth for His name’s sake, taking nothing from the Gentiles. 8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we may become fellow workers for the truth.
Bible Knowledge Commentary Outline
Outline
I. Salutation (3Jn 1:1-4)
II. Body of the Epistle (3Jn 1:5-12)
A. Commendation of Gaius (3Jn 1:5-8)
B. Condemnation of Diotrephes (3Jn 1:9-11)
C. Recommendation of Demetrius (3Jn 1:12)
III. Farewell (3Jn 1:13-14)
V1 “The Elder, To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth…” Gaius is a common name in that era. True love is loyalty. It is a choice we make to treat someone well with kindness. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a lists the character traits of love. If I love my wife, I will treat her this way. So, I am required, and want to, to treat family, friends, the unloved, the downhearted, the widowed, the orphan, and my enemies. The order of love is God first, then spouse, then children, then fellow believers that I worship with, then fellow believers around the world, and finally those who are not believers.
V2 “…Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” John, the Apostle, prays for Gaius. The prayer is for spiritual growth and blessings, emotional blessings, and also physical blessings. John acknowledges that Gaius’s soul does prosper. We can prosper as well if we read and study the Bible, fellowship with other believers, pray, and live as consistently as possible in alignment with the Bible. Prosperity for the soul is an increase in knowledge, understanding, and wisdom concerning God and His ways. Then living the life that pleases God produces fruit. Finally, there are rewards in heaven for faithfulness. All these are much better than material prosperity.
V3 “ For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth.” What brings us greatest joy? Hopefully, it is truth, God’s truth, spiritual growth, and preaching the Gospel. Not only does John know this, but many others have testified the same. When this happens to us, let us give all glory to God. May all people tell by our manner of life that we are Christians. We are to be light (Matthew 5:14) and salt in this world (Matthew 5:13). This is a testimony to the superiority of God’s ways.
V4 “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” What gives us great joy? For the Apostle John, it is when people live in truth, which is reality. We need to walk with God as Enoch (Genesis 5:22-24) and Noah (Genesis 6:9). They might have literally walked together, but it is to be applied to all of us. Amos 3:3 NKJV – Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?” Walking together means living in harmony and agreement. The word “children” is often applied to disciples of the Apostles.
V5 “Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the brethren and for strangers…” The application is obvious. God’s standards remind us to be faithful in whatever we do. We do not quit half-way through. We God’s help, we can live our Christian lives the same way.
V6 “…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…” Gaius and all believers need to be obvious in life with God in private and publicly. If we love Jesus, we obey His rules (John 14:15 and Galatians 6:2). This love will pour out to bless others as well.
V7 “…because they went forth for His name’s sake, taking nothing from the Gentiles.” This refers to traveling evangelists and anyone who names the name of Christ obeying God’s commandments (Galatians 6:2). It is not wrong to earn money selling one’s books, but let us be mindful of our testimony and God’s honor.
V8 “We therefore ought to receive such, that we may become fellow workers for the truth.” We are to welcome them and assist them on their journey. Compare Romans 16:2 and Philippians 4:3.
We learn:
- God’s demand for truth in everything we say and do.
- God’s demand for obedience to the Law of Christ.
- God’s wish for our fellowship.
- Helping fellow Christians.