The 25th book of the
New Testament
This is a letter written by the
Apostle John to his friend Gaius. It serves as a commendation of his treatment of fellow Christians.
Next Book: Jude
Previous Book: 2 John
back to the
King James Bible
Chapter 1
1:1 The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.
1:2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be
in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
1:3 For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of
the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.
1:4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
1:5 Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the
brethren, and to strangers; 1:6 Which 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: 1:7 Because that for his
name's sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.
1:8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers
to the truth.
1:9 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the
preeminence among them, receiveth us not.
1:10 Wherefore, 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.
1:11 Beloved, 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.
1:12 Demetrius 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.
1:13 I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write
unto thee: 1:14 But 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.
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
Book: 3 John
Chapters:
This epistle is addressed to a converted Gentile. The scope
is to commend his stedfastness in the
Faith, and his
hospitality, especially to the ministers of
Christ.
- The
Apostle commends
Gaius for
Piety and hospitality.
(1-8)
Cautions him against siding with
Diotrephes, who was a turbulent
Spirit; but recommends
Demetrius as a
Man of excellent
character.
(9-12) He hopes soon to see
Gaius.
(13,14)
1-8 Those who are beloved of
Christ, will
Love the brethren for
his sake. Soul prosperity is the greatest blessing
On this side
Heaven.
Grace and health are rich companions.
Grace will employ
health. A rich soul may be lodged in a weak body; and
Grace must
then be exercised in submitting to such a
Dispensation. But we
may wish and pray that those who have prosperous souls, may have
healthful bodies; that their
Grace may shine where there is
still more room for activity. How many professors there are,
about whom the
Apostle's words must be reversed, and we must
earnestly wish and pray that their souls might prosper, as their
health and circumstances do! True
Faith will work
By Love. A
good report is due from those who receive good; they could not
but testify to the
Church, what they found and felt. Good men
will rejoice in the soul prosperity of others; and they are glad
to hear of the
Grace and
Goodness of others. And as it is a joy
to good parents, it will be a joy to good ministers, to see
their people adorn their profession.
Gaius overlooked petty
differences among serious Christians, and freely helped all who
bore the image, and did the work of
Christ. He was upright in
what he did, as a
Faithful servant.
Faithful souls can hear
their own praises without being puffed up; the commendation of
what is good in them, lays them at the foot of the
Cross of
Christ. Christians should consider not only what they must do,
but what they may do; and should do even the common actions of
Life, and of good-will, after a godly sort, serving
God therein,
and designing his
Glory. Those who freely make known
Christ's
Gospel, should be helped
By others to whom
God gives the means.
Those who cannot themselves proclaim it, may yet receive, help,
and countenance those who do
So.
9-12 Both the
Heart and mouth must be watched. The temper and
Spirit of
Diotrephes was full of pride and ambition. It is bad
not to do good ourselves; but it is worse to hinder those who
would do good. Those cautions and counsels are most likely to be
accepted, which are seasoned with
Love. Follow that which is
good, for he that doeth good, as delighting therein, is born of
God. Evil-workers vainly pretend or boast acquaintance with
God.
Let us not follow that which is proud, selfish, and of bad
design, though the
Example may be given
By persons of rank and
power; but let us be followers of
God, and walk in
Love, after
the
Example of our
Lord.
13,14 Here is the character of
Demetrius. A name in the
Gospel,
or a good report in the churches, is better than worldly honour.
Few are
Well spoken of
By all; and sometimes it is ill to be
So.
Happy those whose
Spirit and conduct commend them before
God and
men. We must be ready to
Bear our
Testimony to them; and it is
Well when those who commend, can
Appeal to the consciences of
such as know most of those who are commended. A personal
Conversation together often spares time and trouble, and
mistakes which rise from letters; and good Christians may
Well
be glad to see one another. The blessing is, Peace be to you;
all happiness attend you. Those may
Well salute and greet one
another
On Earth, who
Hope to live together in
Heaven.
By
associating with and copying the
Example of such Christians, we
shall have peace within, and live at peace with the brethren;
our communications with the
Lord's people
On Earth will be
pleasing, and we shall be numbered with them in
Glory
Everlasting.