3 John 1:14

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 3 John 1:12-14

Here we have, I. The character of another person, one Demetrius, not much known otherwise. But here his name will live. A name in the gospel, a fame in the churches, is better than that of sons and daughters. His character was his commendation. His commendation was, 1. General: Demetrius has a good report of all men. Few are well spoken of by all; and sometimes it is ill to be so. But universal integrity and goodness are the way to (and sometimes obtain) universal applause. 2. Deserved and... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 3 John 1:9-14

1:9-15 I have already written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who is ambitious for the leadership, does not accept our authority. So, then, when I come, I will bring up the matter of his actions, for he talks nonsensically about us with wicked words; he refuses to receive the brothers and attempts to stop those who wish to do so and tries to eject them from the church. Beloved do not imitate the evil but the good. He who does good has the source of his life in God; he who... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 3 John 1:14

But I trust I shall shortly see thee ,.... Either at Ephesus, where John was, or rather at the place where Gaius lived, see 3 John 1:10 ; and we shall speak face to face ; freely and familiarly converse together about these things, which were not thought proper to be committed to writing: peace be to thee ; which was the usual form of salutation with the Jews, and John was one; See Gill on John 20:19 ; our friends salute thee ; or send their Christian salutation to thee,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 3 John 1:14

Peace be to thee - Mayest thou possess every requisite good, both of a spiritual and temporal kind. Our friends salute thee - Desire to be affectionately remembered to thee. Greet the friends by name - remember me to all those with whom I am acquainted, as if I had specified them by name. This is a proof to me that this epistle was not sent to Corinth, where it is not likely John ever was; and where it is not likely he had any particular acquaintances, unless we could suppose he had seen... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 3 John 1:1-14

An apostolic pastoral to a Christian man. We have here another price, less fragment, giving us a glimpse into the actual Church life of the first century, and of the Christian deeds and difficulties of one of its honoured members. We have no other inspired letter to a private Church member. This serves a double purpose. It enables us to picture, in outline, Gains, with his Christian work, his character, and his trials. It enables us also to picture a Church as to its fellowship, its... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 3 John 1:1-14

The aged presbyter's letter to a private Church-member. "The eider unto Gaius the beloved, whom I love in truth." As in the Second Epistle, John takes the familiar official designation of "the elder." The receiver of the Epistle was regarded by John with more than ordinary affection; for he at once designates Gaius "the beloved," and three times in the course of the short Epistle be addresses him by this designation. He was widely beloved; for the addition here, while emphasizing the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 3 John 1:13-14

3. CONCLUSION (see notes on 2 John 1:12 , 2 John 1:13 ). Here the pen or reed κάλαμος is mentioned instead of the paper, as a means of writing. The word is found nowhere else in the New Testament in this sense Note the ἀλλά and the δέ , each with its right force, the former expressing a strongcr opposition than the latter: "I had many things to write to thee; nevertheless, I do not care ἀλλ οὐ θέλω with ink and pen to write to thee: but I hope ἐλπίζω δέ ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 3 John 1:13-14

Valediction. £ "I had many things to write," etc. What a precious boon communication by writing is when communication by speech is unattainable! How valuable is writing also when accuracy and permanence are desired! Yet writing has its disadvantages as compared with speech, as St. John found at this time. I. THE APOSTLE 'S HOPE . "I hope shortly to see thee, and we shall speak face to face." He hoped for communication by speech, which, as compared with writing, is: 1 . ... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 3 John 1:14

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

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 3 John 1:13-14

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

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