3 John 1
1
Help Christians Who Teach Truth
1From the Elder.# This is probably John the apostle. “Elder” means an older man. It can also mean a special leader in the church (as in Titus 1:5).
To my dear friend Gaius whom I love in the truth:# The truth or “Good News” about Jesus Christ that joins all believers together.
2My dear friend, I know your soul is doing well. I pray that you are doing fine in every way and that your health is good. 3Some brothers in Christ came and told me about the truth in your life. They said that you are following the way of truth. This made me very happy. 4It always gives me the greatest joy when I hear that my children are following the way of truth.
5My dear friend, it is good that you continue to help the brothers. You are helping those that you do not even know! 6These brothers told the church about the love you have. Please help them to continue their trip. Help them in a way that will please God. 7They started out on their trip to serve Christ. They did not accept any help from those who are not believers. 8So we should help these brothers. And when we do, we share in their work for the truth.
9I wrote a letter to the church. But Diotrephes will not listen to what we say. He always wants to be their leader. 10When I come, I will talk about what Diotrephes is doing. He lies and says evil things about us. But that is not all he does. He refuses to help those who are working to serve Christ. He also stops those who want to help the brothers and puts them out of the church.
11My dear friend, do not follow what is bad; follow what is good. He who does what is good is from God. But he who does evil has never known God.
12Everyone says good things about Demetrius. And the truth agrees with what they say. Also, we say good about him. And you know that what we say is true.
13I have many things I want to tell you, but I do not want to use pen and ink. 14I hope to visit you soon. Then we can be together and talk. 15Peace to you. The friends here with me send their love. Please give our love to each one of the friends there.
3 John 1
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Copyright © 2015 by Tommy Nelson™, a Division of Thomas Nelson, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
3 John 1
1
Salutation
1 #
Acts 19.29; Rom 16.23; 1 Cor 1.14. The elder unto the well-beloved Gai´us, whom I love in the truth.
2Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. 3For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth. 4I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
Gaius' Hospitality Commended
5Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers; 6which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well: 7because that for his name's sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles. 8We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellow helpers to the truth.
The Opposition of Diotrephes
9I wrote unto the church: but Diot´re-phes, who loveth to have the pre-eminence among them, receiveth us not. 10Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.
The Good Report concerning Demetrius
11Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God. 12Deme´tri-us hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true.
Final Greetings
13I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee: 14but I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face.
Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name.
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King James Version 1611, spelling, punctuation and text formatting modernized by ABS in 1962; typesetting © 2010 American Bible Society.