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.

3Jn 1:1. Salutation. Gaius (or Caius) was a common Roman name, being applied elsewhere in the NT to men belonging to Macedonia ( Act 19:29), Derbe ( Ac. 204) and Corinth (1 Cor. 114). The Gaius of 3 Jn. may have been distinct from all these, though early tradition says that Gaius of Corinth acted as John's scribe, and that the apostle appointed a Gaius as Bishop of Pergamum.

Commendation of Gaius. John expresses his delight at the witness borne to the moral integrity of Gaius by some who had visited the apostle. He prays that Gaius may have prosperity and health commensurate with his spiritual wellbeing. Gaius is also commended for the hospitality which he is known to give to evangelists who travelled in the interests of the Gospel. To entertain such men and set them on their way in a worthy fashion was gracious service to the truth.

3Jn 1:3. brethren: possibly the visitors who reported to the elder the facts named in 2 Jn 1:4.

3Jn 1:5. brethren and strangers: these would be Christians compelled, for some reason, to travel, and especially itinerant evangelists, who went forth from some Christian community to visit other churches and to break up new ground (see Introduction). Such Christians usually received hospitality from brother Christians, the public inns, because of their low moral tone, being undesirable halting-places for Christian travellers and evangelists (p. 615).

3Jn 1:6. the church: i.e. that to which the writer belonged.

3Jn 1:7. the Name: i.e. that of Christ (cf. Act 5:40 f.). They went forth out of love for Christ and zeal for the Gospel. For that reason, and to avoid contact with idolatry, they were unwilling to accept the hospitality sometimes offered them in heathen homes.

Diotrephes and his Evil Doings. This leading official in the church of which Gaius was a member is denounced because of his ambition, and his inhospitable treatment of the elder and his friends.

3Jn 1:9 a. See Introduction. Diotrephes: his name (nourished of Zeus) suggests heathen birth. He appears to have been the leading official of his church; beyond this nothing is known of him.

3Jn 1:10. casteth. church: i.e. expelled them from membership. This suggests that Diotrephes was a presiding elder, and therefore one who, by virtue of his office, ought himself to have entertained John's missionaries.