I had many things to write ... - This Epistle closes, as the second does, with a statement that he had many things to say, but that he preferred waiting until he should see him rather than put them on paper. Perhaps there were some things which he wished to say which he would not like to have exposed to the possibility of being seen by the public eye.But I will not with ink and pen ... - Notes at 2 John 1:12. read more
But I trust I shall shortly see thee ... - Notes at 2 John 1:12.Our friends salute thee - That is, your friends and mine. This would seem rather to refer to private friends of John and Gaius than to Christians as such. They had, doubtless, their warm personal friends in both places.Greet the friends by name - That is, each one individually. He remembered them as individuals, but did not deem it proper to specify them.Practical Remarks On 3 John(1) It is proper to desire for our friends all... read more
3 John 1:9-11. I wrote Or have written; to the church Probably that to which they came; but Diotrephes &c. As if he had said, But I fear lest my letter should not produce the desired effect; for Diotrephes, perhaps the pastor of it, who loveth to have the pre-eminence among them To govern all things according to his own will; receiveth us not Neither them nor me; or, does not acknowledge my authority as an apostle of Christ. So did the mystery of iniquity already begin to work!... read more
3 John 1:12. Demetrius, on the contrary, hath good report Hath a good testimony from all that know him; and of the truth The gospel; itself His temper and conduct being conformable to its precepts, and he having exerted himself greatly to propagate it. Yea, and we also bear record I, and they that are with me; and ye know that our record is true That every commendation I give is well founded. read more
3 John 1:13-14 . I had many other things to write To communicate to thee concerning the affairs of your church, and concerning Diotrephes; but I will not I am not minded; to write unto thee with ink and pen Meaning, probably, lest this letter should fall into hands who might make an improper use of it. But I trust I shall shortly see thee Lardner conjectures that John did actually visit Gaius; and adds, I please myself with the supposition that his journey was not in vain, but that... read more
follow . See 2 Thessalonians 3:7 . evil . App-128 . doeth good . Greek. agathopoieo. See Acts 14:17 . of . App-104 . God . App-98 . doeth evil . Greek. kakopoieo. See Mark 3:4 . seen . App-133 . read more
hath good report = is borne witness to. See 3 John 1:6 . of = by. App-104 . bear record = testify, 3 John 1:3 . ye know . The texts read, "thou knowest". App-132 . record = testimony. See p. 1511. true . App-175 . read more
will . App-102 . with = by means of. App-104 . 3 John 1:1 . ink . See 2 Corinthians 3:3 . pen . Greek. kalamos. Elsewhere translated "reed". read more
trust = hope. I shall, &c . = to see ( App-133 .) thee, &c. shortly . Greek. eutheos. Generally translated "immediately", or "straightway". speak . App-121 . face, &c . See 2 John 1:12 . salute . Greek. aspazomai. See Acts 18:22 . Greet = Salute. Here, as in the close of so many epistles, the word aspazomai is translated by two different English words in successive verses or even in the same verse. Compare Romans 16:3-23 . 1 Corinthians 16:19 , 1 Corinthians 16:20 ; 2... read more
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Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 3 John 1:12
Demetrius hath good report of all men - Little is known of Demetrius. Lucke supposes that he resided near the place where the author of this Epistle lived, and was connected with the church there, and was probably the bearer of this Epistle. It is impossible to determine with certainty on this point, but there is one circumstance which seems to make it probable that he was a member of the same church with Gaius, and had united with him in showing Christian hospitality to these strangers. It is... read more