3 John 1:1-13 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 3 John 1:1-2

Here we see, I. The sacred penman who writes and sends the letter; not here indeed notified by his name, but a more general character: The elder, he that is so by years and by office; honour and deference are due to both. Some have questioned whether this were John the apostle or no; but his style and spirit seem to shine in the epistle. Those that are beloved of Christ will love the brethren for his sake. Gaius could not question from whom the letter came. The apostle might have assumed many... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 3 John 1:3-8

In these verses we have, I. The good report that the apostle had received concerning this friend of his: The brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee (3 John 1:3), who have borne witness of thy charity before the church, 3 John 1:6. Here we may see, 1. The testimony or thing testified concerning Gaius?the truth that was in him, the reality of his faith, the sincerity of his religion, and his devotedness to God; and this evinced by his charity, which includes his love to the... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 3 John 1:9-11

I. Here is a very different example and character, an officer, a minister in the church, less generous, catholic, and communicative than the private Christians. Ministers may sometimes be out-shone, out-done. In reference to this minister, we see, 1. His name?a Gentile name: Diotrephes, attended with an unchristian spirit. 2. His temper and spirit?full of pride and ambition: He loves to have the pre-eminence. This ferment sprang and wrought betimes. It is an ill unbeseeming character of... read more

Matthew Henry

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 1:1-4

1:1-4 The Elder to Gaius, the beloved, whom I love in truth. Beloved, I pray that everything is going well with you, and that you are in good health of body, as it goes well with your soul. It gave me great joy when certain brothers came and testified of the truth of your life, as indeed you do walk in the truth. No news brings me greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. No New Testament letter better shows that the Christian letters were exactly on the... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 3 John 1:5-8

1:5-8 Beloved, whatever service you render to the brothers, strangers as they are, is an act of true faith and they testify to your love before the church. It will be a further kindness, if you send them on their way worthily of God. For they have gone out for the sake of the Name and they take no assistance from pagans. It is a duty to support such men, that we may show ourselves fellow-workers with the truth. Here we come to John's main object in writing. A group of travelling... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 3 John 1:5-8

Further, this passage tells us about the wandering missionaries who gave up home and comfort to carry afield the word of God. In 3 John 1:7 Paul says that they have gone forth for the sake of the Name and take no assistance from pagans. (It is just possible that 3 John 1:7 might refer to those who had come out from the Gentiles taking nothing with them, those who for the sake of Christianity had left their work and their home and their friends and had no means of support.) In the ancient... 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 1:1

The elder unto the well beloved Gaius ,.... The elder is the writer of the epistle, the Apostle John, who so styles himself on account of his age, and office, as in the preceding epistle. The person to whom he writes is "the well beloved Gaius"; not that Gaius, who was the Apostle Paul's host, Romans 16:23 , for though their characters agree, being both hospitable men, yet neither the place nor time in which they lived. The Apostle Paul's Gaius lived at Corinth, this is in some place near... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 3 John 1:2

Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper ,.... Or succeed in all temporal affairs, in the business of life, in which he was; and as success of this sort depends upon the blessing of God, which maketh rich, it is to be wished and prayed for from him: and be in health ; that is, of body, which above all things above all outward mercies, is the most desirable; for without this, what are the richest dainties, the largest possessions, or the best of friends? without this... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 3 John 1:1-2

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 3 John 1:3-8

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 3 John 1:9-11

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

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 3 John 1:1-4

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 3 John 1:5-8

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 3 John 1:5-8

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

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 3 John 1:2

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