3 John 1
1The elder unto Gaius the beloved, whom I love in truth. 2Beloved, I pray that in all things thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. 3For I rejoiced greatly, when brethren came and bare witness unto thy truth, even as thou walkest in truth. 4Greater joy have I none than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth. 5Beloved, thou doest a faithful work in whatsoever thou doest toward them that are brethren and strangers withal; 6who bare witness to thy love before the church: whom thou wilt do well to set forward on their journey worthily of God: 7because that for the sake of the Name they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles. 8We therefore ought to welcome such, that we may be fellow-workers for the truth. 9I wrote somewhat unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. 10Therefore, if I come, I will bring to remembrance his works which he doeth, prating against us with wicked words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and them that would he forbiddeth and casteth them out of the church. 11Beloved, imitate not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: he that doeth evil hath not seen God. 12Demetrius hath the witness of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, we also bear witness; and thou knowest that our witness is true. 13I had many things to write unto thee, but I am unwilling to write them to thee with ink and pen: 14but I hope shortly to see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be unto thee. The friends salute thee. Salute the friends by name.
What is 3 John 1 about?
Written by the apostle John near the close of the first century, this brief personal letter addresses Gaius, a beloved believer whose steadfastness the elder gladly commends. John rejoices to hear that Gaius walks in the truth and praises his generous hospitality toward traveling gospel workers, who had gone out for the sake of Christ's name and taken nothing from the Gentiles, urging that such men be supported as fellow helpers to the truth. Set against this faithfulness stands Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence, refuses to receive the brethren, spreads malicious words, and casts out those who would welcome them, while Demetrius, by contrast, has a good report of all men and of the truth itself. John charges Gaius not to imitate what is evil but what is good, for he that does good is of God. Closing the shortest book of the New Testament, it shows that upholding faithful gospel workers in truth is itself a share in their labor, marking the plain difference between a heart that serves Christ and one that seeks its own preeminence.
Matthew Henry on 3 John 1