1 The elder to the well beloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.

2 Beloved, I wish above all things that you may prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers.

3 For I rejoiced greatly, when the brothers came and testified of the truth that is in you, even 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 to the brothers, and to strangers;

6 Which have borne witness of your charity before the church: whom if you bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, you shall do well:

7 Because that for his name's sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.

8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellow helpers to the truth.

9 I wrote to the church: but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, receives us not.

10 Why, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he does, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither does he himself receive the brothers, and forbids them that would, and casts them out of the church.

11 Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that does good is of God: but he that does evil has not seen God.

12 Demetrius has good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yes, and we also bear record; and you know that our record is true.

13 I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write to you:

14 But I trust I shall shortly see you, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be to you. Our friends salute you. Greet the friends by name.

unto = to.

wellbeloved. App-135. Same as "beloved", 3Jn 1:2, &c.

Gaius. It is impossible to say whether this was the same as any one of the others of the same name mentioned Act 19:29; Act 20:4. Rom 16:23. 1Co 1:14.

love. App-135.

in. App-104.

the. Omit.

truth. See p. 1511.

wish = pray. App-134.

above = concerning. App-104.

prosper. Greek. euodoumai. See Rom 1:10.

be in health. Greek. hugiaino. See Luk 5:31.

soul. App-110. 3Jn 1:1. As Gaius had a sound mind, John desires for him a sound body also.

rejoiced greatly. See 2Jn 1:4.

the. Omit.

testified. Greek. martureo. See p. 1511.

the truth, &c. Literally thy truth.

no = not. App-105.

joy. See 1Jn 1:4.

than, &c. Literally than these things, that (Greek. hina) I may hear of.

my = mine own.

children. App-108.

walk = walking.

truth = the truth.

faithfully = as a faithful (deed). App-150.

doest = workest.

to. App-104.

to. The texts read "that to". The brethren referred to were strangers. Compare Heb 13:2.

have borne witness = bare witness. Same as "testify", 3Jn 1:3.

charity = love. App-135.

before = in the sight of.

church. App-186.

if . . . journey. Literally having sent forward. Greek. propempo. See Act 15:3. Compare App-174.

after a godly sort = worthily of God (App-98.)

Because that = For.

for, &c. = on behalf of (App-104.) His name.

His. The texts read "the".

taking = receiving.

nothing. Greek. medeis.

of. App-104.

Gentiles. Greek. ethnos.

that = in order that. Greek. hina.

might = may.

be = become.

fellowhelpers. Greek. sunergos. See 1Co 3:9.

wrote = wrote something, as the texts.

Diotrephes. Nothing is known of him.

who loveth, &c. Greek. philoproteuo, love to be first.

among = of.

receiveth. Greek. epidechomai. Only here and 3Jn 1:10.

Wherefore = On account of (App-104. 3Jn 1:2) this.

if. App-118.

remember. See Joh 14:26.

prating. Greek. phluareo. Only here. Compare 1Ti 5:13.

malicious. App-128.

words. App-121.

not. App-105.

therewith = upon (App-104.) these (things).

neither. Greek. oute.

forbiddeth = hindereth, as Luk 11:52.

them that would. Literally the willing (ones). App-102.

casteth. Greek. ekballo. Compare Joh 9:34.

out of. App-104.

follow. See 2Th 3:7.

evil. App-128.

doeth good. Greek. agathopoieo. See Act 14:17.

of. App-104.

God. App-98.

doeth evil. Greek. kakopoieo. See Mar 3:4.

seen. App-133.

hath good report = is borne witness to. See 3Jn 1:6.

of = by. App-104.

bear record = testify, 3Jn 1:3.

ye know. The texts read, "thou knowest". App-132.

record = testimony. See p. 1511.

true. App-175.

will. App-102.

with = by means of. App-104. 3Jn 1:1.

ink. See 2Co 3:3.

pen. Greek. kalamos. Elsewhere translated "reed".

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 2Jn 1:12.

salute. Greek. aspazomai. See Act 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 Rom 16:3-23. 1Co 16:19, 1Co 16:20; 2Co 13:12, 2Co 13:13. Php 1:4, Php 1:21. Col 4:10, Col 4:12, Col 4:14; 2Ti 4:19, 2Ti 4:21. Tit 3:15. 1Pe 5:13, 1Pe 5:14.

by. App-104.