1. The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, 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.

CONCERNING HELPING OTHERS

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 fellowhelpers to the truth.

9I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence 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.

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.

12Demetrius 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.

BENEDICATION

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.

1The Elder vnto the welbeloued Gaius, whom I loue in the trueth:

2Beloued, I wish aboue all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, euen as thy soule prospereth.

3For I reioyced greatly when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, euen as thou walkest in the trueth.

4I haue no greater ioy, then to heare that my children walke in truth.

5Beloued, thou doest faithfully whatsoeuer thou doest to the Brethren, and to strangers:

6Which haue borne witnesse of thy charitie before the Church: whome if thou bring forward on their iourney after a godly sort, thou shalt doe well:

7Because that for his Names sake they went foorth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.

8We therefore ought to receiue such, that we might be fellow helpers to the trueth.

9I wrote vnto the Church, but Diotrephes, who loueth to haue the preeminence among them, receiueth vs not.

10Wherefore if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against vs with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth hee himselfe receiue the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the Church.

11 Beloued, follow not that which is euill, but that which is good. He that doth good, is of God: but hee that doth euill, hath not seene God.

12Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the trueth it selfe: yea, and we also beare record, and ye know that our record is true.

13 had many things to write, but I will not with inke and pen write vnto thee.

14But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and wee shall speake face to face. Peace bee to thee. Our friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name.

 

I == 2nd John 1:1

 

 

 

III == 2nd John 1:4

 

IV == 1st Cor 4:15 ; Phile 1:10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

VII == 1st Cor 9:12 , 15

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

XI == Ps 37:27 ; Isa 1:16-17 ; 1st Peter 3:11 ; 1st John 2:29 ; 3:6 , 9

 

XII == John 21:24 ; 1st Tim 3:7

 

 

XIII == 2nd John 1:12

1 The Presbyter to the beloved Gaius whom I love in truth. 2 Beloved, I hope you are prospering in every respect and are in good health, just as your soul is prospering. 3 I rejoiced greatly when some of the brothers came and testified to how truly you walk in the truth. 4 Nothing gives me greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. 5 Beloved, you are faithful in all you do for the brothers, especially for strangers; 6 they have testified to your love before the church. Please help them in a way worthy of God to continue their journey. 7 For they have set out for the sake of the Name and are accepting nothing from the pagans. 8 Therefore, we ought to support such persons, so that we may be co-workers in the truth. 9 I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to dominate, does not acknowledge us. 10 Therefore, if I come, I will draw attention to what he is doing, spreading evil nonsense about us. And not content with that, he will not receive the brothers, hindering those who wish to do so and expelling them from the church. 11 Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does what is good is of God; whoever does what is evil has never seen God. 12 Demetrius receives a good report from all, even from the truth itself. We give our testimonial as well, and you know our testimony is true. 13 I have much to write to you, but I do not wish to write with pen and ink. 14 Instead, I hope to see you soon, when we can talk face to face. 15 Peace be with you. The friends greet you; greet the friends there each by name.

v 1. Gaius was a very common name at this time and it is impossible to know if he was the one mentioned in Acts 19:29; 20:4; Rom. 16:23; or 1 Cor. 1:14.  Some feel he was Paul’s convert and his host at Corinth on Paul’s third missionary journey.

v 2. John shows it is good to be concerned for some one in ailing health, as well as for their material prosperity. He even compares it to Gaius’ spiritual prosperity.

v 3,4. Reports had been brought to John about Gaius’ outstanding Christian life. John was thrilled about Gaius and other spiritual children who were walking in truth, or abiding in Christ. It is a joy to a parent when a child excels, and we rejoice when someone we have taught spiritually is going strong for the Lord.

v 5,6. The men who brought the good report about Gaius were brethren, v 3; they were on a journey, v 6; they were missionaries,

v 7. Among other things in Gaius’ life, he had shown hospitality to brethren and strangers, and particularly in helping these itinerate missionaries on their way. They would compare to circuit riders of our past. Gaius had no doubt encouraged the entire church to be helpful to them. Many people of our churches today don’t know the blessing they miss by not inviting missionaries or evangelists for meals or lodging in their homes.

v 8. These men avoided taking money from the Gentiles as they went to them in order that there would be no suspicion of them preaching for material gain. Paul had set this example as he made tents for his support. As we assist such people, or even supporting missionaries overseas, we are fellow helpers in the gospel. These men probably also followed Paul’s example in establishing churches in the larger urban areas and letting them take the gospel out from there. Is that always done today?

v 9. Diotrephes was a heart break to John. He loved preeminence whereas Paul wanted to minister, Phil. 2:1-8 and let Christ to have the preeminence, Col. 1:18.

v 10. Apparently, when John comes he intends to personally confront Diotrephes. Not only did he publicly oppose John, but talked nonsense maliciously. In an attempt to undermine John and Gaius, he refused common courtesy to these itinerant missionaries, forbade others to, and if they did he excommunicated them. How dangerous a proud, popular Christian leader can be.

v 11. Instead of walking in truth, Diotrephes resisted it and walked in evil. The full context of the verse, “hath not seen God”, is an indication that he knew how to “talk the talk”, but was probably unsaved. Those people can fool us - for a while.

v 12. In contrast, Demetrius was commended, probably by the itinerant speakers and others, witness of his spiritual life, and John’s own sincere testimony.

v 13,14. As in 2 Jn., he plans to come soon and have much more to talk about in person. Meanwhile, these words should be a comfort to Gaius, but he wants each friend to be greeted personally.