3 John 1

Walking in the Truth Through Faithful Hospitality

John moves from affectionate blessing, to commendation of truth-shaped hospitality, to warning against prideful obstruction, to commendation of a faithful example, and finally to personal fellowship.

World English Bible, Public Domain

3 John 1:1

Christian leadership speaks with tenderness, and Christian fellowship is bound together by the truth of God.

1 The elder to Gaius the beloved, whom I love in truth.

3 John 1:2

2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be healthy, even as your soul prospers.

3 John 1:3

A believer's life should visibly align with the truth of the gospel so that others can testify to that faithfulness.

3 For I rejoiced greatly when brothers came and testified about your truth, even as you walk in truth.

3 John 1:4

The highest joy of faithful spiritual leadership is seeing believers live in obedient fidelity to the truth of the gospel.

4 I have no greater joy than this: to hear about my children walking in truth.

3 John 1:5

True Christian faithfulness expresses itself in sacrificial care for fellow believers, especially those serving the spread of the gospel.

5 Beloved, you do a faithful work in whatever you accomplish for those who are brothers and strangers.

3 John 1:6

Believers honor God by supporting gospel workers with generous, worthy care.

6 They have testified about your love before the assembly. You will do well to send them forward on their journey in a way worthy of God,

3 John 1:7

Gospel workers rely on the faithful support of the church as they carry the message of Christ into the world.

7 because for the sake of the Name they went out, taking nothing from the Gentiles.

3 John 1:8

Supporting those who proclaim the gospel is participation in the mission of the truth.

8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.

3 John 1:9

Self-exalting leadership opposes the truth and undermines the life of the church.

9 I wrote to the assembly, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, doesn’t accept what we say.

3 John 1:10

10 Therefore if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words. Not content with this, neither does he himself receive the brothers, and those who would, he forbids and throws out of the assembly.

3 John 1:11

Believers must imitate what reflects God's character because conduct reveals spiritual reality.

11 Beloved, don’t imitate that which is evil, but that which is good. He who does good is of God. He who does evil hasn’t seen God.

3 John 1:12

Faithful character is confirmed by consistent testimony and alignment with the truth.

12 Demetrius has the testimony of all, and of the truth itself; yes, we also testify, and you know that our testimony is true.

3 John 1:13-14

Christian fellowship flourishes through personal presence, mutual peace, and relational care within the people of God.

13 I had many things to write to you, but I am unwilling to write to you with ink and pen;

14 but I hope to see you soon. Then we will speak face to face. Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.

Key Terms

ἀλήθεια alētheia G225
ἀγαπητός agapētos G27
περιπατέω peripateō G4043
πιστός pistos G4103
προπέμπω propempō G4311
ὄνομα onoma G3686
συνεργός synergos G4904
φιλοπρωτεύω philoprōteuō G5383
ἐπιδέχομαι epidechomai G1926
φλυαρέω phlyareō G5396
μιμέομαι mimeomai G3401
μαρτυρέω martyreō G3140

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