3 John 1
1
1-4The Pastor, to my good friend Gaius: How truly I love you! We’re the best of friends, and I pray for good fortune in everything you do, and for your good health—that your everyday affairs prosper, as well as your soul! I was most happy when some friends arrived and brought the news that you persist in following the way of Truth. Nothing could make me happier than getting reports that my children continue diligently in the way of Truth!
Model the Good
5-8Dear friend, when you extend hospitality to Christian brothers and sisters, even when they are strangers, you make the faith visible. They’ve made a full report back to the church here, a message about your love. It’s good work you’re doing, helping these travelers on their way, hospitality worthy of God himself! They set out under the banner of the Name, and get no help from unbelievers. So they deserve any support we can give them. In providing meals and a bed, we become their companions in spreading the Truth.
9-10Earlier I wrote something along this line to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves being in charge, denigrates my counsel. If I come, you can be sure I’ll hold him to account for spreading vicious rumors about us.
As if that weren’t bad enough, he not only refuses hospitality to traveling Christians but tries to stop others from welcoming them. Worse yet, instead of inviting them in he throws them out.
11Friend, don’t go along with evil. Model the good. The person who does good does God’s work. The person who does evil falsifies God, doesn’t know the first thing about God.
12Everyone has a good word for Demetrius—the Truth itself stands up for Demetrius! We concur, and you know we don’t hand out endorsements lightly.
13-14I have a lot more things to tell you, but I’d rather not use pen and ink. I hope to be there soon in person and have a heart-to-heart talk.
Peace to you. The friends here say hello. Greet our friends there by name.
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3 John 1: MSG
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THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved. Used by permission of NavPress. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers.
3 John 1
1
The Joys of Walking Out the Truth
1The elder. To Gaius the loved one, whom I love in truth:
2Loved ones, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, just as it is well with your soul.
3For I was overjoyed when some brethren came and testified of the truth in you—how you are walking in truth.
4I have no greater joy than this—to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
Support Faithful Kingdom Truth Tellers
5Loved ones, you are acting faithfully in whatever you do for the brethren and especially for strangers.
6They have testified to your love before Messiah’s community. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God.
7For on behalf of the Name they went out, accepting nothing from the pagans.
8Therefore we ought to support such people, so we might become co-workers in the truth.
The Lust for Power Condemned
9I wrote something to Messiah’s community, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, doesn’t welcome us.
10So if I do come, I will call attention to what he is doing—slandering us with wicked words. Not even content with that, he refuses to welcome the brethren, and even forbids those who want to do so— throwing them out of the community!
Do Good Like God Does
11Loved ones, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God.
Virtue Is Honorable
12Demetrius has a good testimony from everyone, even from the truth itself. We also vouch for him—and you know that our testimony is true.
Fellowship Is Desirable
13I have much to write you, but I don’t want to write to you with ink and pen.
14But I hope to see you soon, and we will speak face to face.
15Shalom aleichem. The friends here send their greetings. Greet the friends there by name.
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