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
1The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth. 2Beloved, I desire that in all things thou shouldest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospers.
3For I rejoiced exceedingly when the brethren came and bore testimony to thy holding fast the truth, even as thou walkest in truth. 4I have no greater joy than these things that I hear of my children walking in the truth. 5Beloved, thou doest faithfully in whatever thou mayest have wrought towards the brethren and that strangers, 6(who have witnessed of thy love before the assembly,) in setting forward whom on their journey worthily of God, thou wilt do well; 7for for the name have they gone forth, taking nothing of those of the nations. 8We therefore ought to receive such, that we may be fellow-workers with the truth.
9I wrote something to the assembly; but Diotrephes, who loves to have the first place among them, receives us not. 10For this reason, if I come, I will bring to remembrance his works which he does, babbling against us with wicked words; and not content with these, neither does he himself receive the brethren; and those who would he prevents, and casts them out of the assembly. 11Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He that does good is of God. He that does evil has not seen God.
12Demetrius has witness borne to him by all, and by the truth itself; and we also bear witness, and thou knowest that our witness is true. 13I had many things to write to thee, but I will not with ink and pen write to thee; 14but I hope soon to see thee, and we will speak mouth to mouth. Peace be to thee. The friends greet thee. Greet the friends by name.
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First published in 1890. This edition is maintained by the British and Foreign Bible Society.