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Nazarene Commentary 2000©

21^st Century Paraphrase of the Hebrew Scriptures© –
21^st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures© [NCMM]

THE THIRD LETTER OF JOHN

THE LETTER

3 John 1 – The Presbyter to Gaius

3JN1 The Presbyter 1, to the beloved Gaius, 2 for whom I have a warm affection. 3

1	The Presbyter: See notes on 2 John 1.

2	Gaius: There are others by the same name, though this might be a very old Christian identified by the same mentioned elsewhere.

3	For whom I have a warm affection: Or, love in the truth, sincerely loves.

3 John 2-4 – Children Walking in the Truth

3JN2 Beloved, I continue to pray regarding you 4 that everything is going well and you are in [good] health, 5 just as it is going well with your soul. 6

4	I continue to pray regarding you: A common part of the introductions of Paul and John.

5

That everything is going well and you are in [good] health: Or, KJV: I wish above all thing that thou mayest prosper and be in health; WEY: keep well; TCNT: good health. Compare 1 Corinthians 16:2 and Acts 15:29, “Good health to you.” It is not inappropriate to wish for a Christian to prosper and be in good health.

6	Going well with your soul: Or, soul is keeping well. John may mean the inner spiritual person.

3JN3 I rejoiced exceedingly when visiting brothers testified about the Truth you hold 7 and how you continue to walk in accordance with the Truth. 8

7	Visiting brothers testified about the Truth you hold: Or, your fidelity to the truth, spoke so highly of the sincerity of your life. As in his other letters the word “truth” is a key thought, occurring in verses 3, 4, 8, and 12.

8	Continue to walk in accordance with the Truth: Or, follow the truth, living by the truth, obedience to, lead the true life. [2 John 4]

3JN4 I have no greater reason for thankfulness 9 than to hear my children continue walking in the Truth. 10

9	I have no greater reason for thankfulness: Or, no greater joy, nothing gives me great pleasure, more enjoyment.

10	My children continue walking in the Truth: John address Gaius and others as his “children,” an endearing term of affection. Paul does something similar as he identifies himself as a “father.” [1 Corinthians 4:15; 2 Timothy 1:2; Titus 1:4; Philemon 10]

3 John 5-8 – Faithful Work of Hospitality

3JN5 Beloved, you are doing a faithful thing whenever you work 11 in behalf of the brothers, and this to strangers. 12

11	You are doing a faithful thing whenever you work: Or, a fine loyalty, acting faithfully, a loyal thing. John will identify this “work” as hospitality and charity.

12	In behalf of the brothers, and this to strangers: Compare Matthew 25:40 and Hebrews 13:12. See notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000© on Romans 12:13. Hospitality and sharing is high on the list of Jesus, Paul, James and John when it comes to “works.”

3JN6 [These visiting brothers] testified about your compassionate affection in sight of [the] congregation. 13 Please send these [visitors] forward worthily of The God. 14

13	Testified about your compassionate affection in sight of [the] congregation: Or, KJV: witness thy charity before the church; WEY: in the presence of the church. Possibly these visiting brothers spoke to the congregation where John was located about the excellent example of Gaius.

14

Please send these [visitors] forward worthily of The God: Or, KJV: bring forth on their journey after a godly sort; TCNT: a manner worthy of the service to God. John uses Paul’s favorite designation for the Almighty, TOU THEOU [of the God; HO THEOS]. John mentions God three times in this letter, verses 6 and 11. He does not use “Father” or mention “Jesus” by name. The “Holy Spirit” is also absent.

3JN7 For it was in behalf of [God’s] Name they went forth, 15 receiving nothing from the non-Jews. 16

15

It was in behalf of [God’s] Name they went forth: Or, his name. Since Jesus is not in the context it may be assumed he means God’s Name. As a Jew he knows this is YHWH in Hebrew though he never uses such in any of his letters. The word “name” can mean character, fame, reputation. The Greek is literally “the Name” and could mean “Christ” or “Christian.” Compare notes on Matthew 24:9.

16

Receiving nothing from the non-Jews: Or, they accepted no help from non-Christians. [PME] Both Paul and Jesus accepted aid from non-Jews. However, there were circumstances in which Paul did not take advantage of their hospitality. [1 Corinthians 9:12, 15] Regarding the Greek ETHNOS see notes elsewhere in Nazarene Commentary 2000©.

3JN8 Therefore, we are obligated to receive such so that we may become co-workers to the Truth. 17

17	We are obligated to receive such so that we may become co-workers to the Truth: Or, our duty to entertain, to show hospitality, bound to support, so play our part in spreading the truth. [Romans 12:13; Hebrews 10:34; 1 Peter 4:9]

3 John 9-10 – Ambition, Disrespect, and Tyranny

3JN9 I wrote something to the congregation, 18 however, Diotrephes 19 – who likes to be first among them 20 – does not accept us. 21

18	I wrote something to the congregation: How we would rejoice to read this unknown letter. There is a possibility it was the epistle of First John but was rejected by the elder next mentioned. [Colossians 4:16]

19	Diotrephes: His name means “Fed by Zeus” which turns out to be somewhat cryptic. Though here he is an individual, there are elders who as a group turn out to be a “corporate Diotrephes” Such congregations are dominated by a controlling tyranny where threats and fear reign.

20

Who likes to be first among them: Or, KJV: who loveth to have pre-eminence; TAY: push himself forward; eager to be a leader. There is a difference between the Christian man who “desires the office of overseer” [1 Timothy 3:1] and the man who desires “first place.” The very nature of a political body involved with government will produce those men who crave absolute control. No matter the political structure of this body it will manifest itself in one way or another. Even the Lord’s apostles argued who was the greatest among them. When such a man attains power it can make life in the church a great test of faith. The correct attitude is reflected in Matthew 20:27 and Philippians 2:4, 5.

21

Does not accept us: Or, not acknowledge our authority, declines to recognize us. A man so obsessed with power resents any other authority. He will do what he can to belittle and undermine any other source of power. Compare Hebrews 13:7, 17. There is a good Biblical example of such jealous ambition in David’s son, Absalom.

3JN10 Because of this, if I should ever visit, I will remember his works 22 – chattering about us in wicked words. 23 And not being satisfied with that, neither does he receive the [visiting] brothers. 24 Also, those [in the congregation] wishing [to receive the visiting brothers] 25 he wishes to hinder and expel from the congregation. 26

22

I will remember his works: Or, WEY: I shall call attention to. Diotrephes does not realize the man he will confront if John should ever visit. We would long to have been there to see such an element disposed of by the remaining restraint in the Church. Compare 1 Corinthians 4:19; 2 Corinthians 13:2.

23

Chattering about us in wicked words: Or, KJV: pratting against us with malicious words; TCNT: ridiculing us with his wicked tongue; GDSP: maliciously accusing me; WEY: mischievous talk; NEB: baseless and spiteful charges; KNX: maligns us with his foolish gossip. Some how the blasphemous talk by Diotrephes has gotten back to John, which is the way of things. [Psalm 101:5; Proverbs 6:19; Ecclesiastes 10:20] Diotrephes is “blaspheming Glorious Ones.” [2 Peter 2:10; Jude 8]

24

Neither does he receive the [visiting] brothers: Or, refuses to receive our friends, he does not take the brothers into his home. Compare this interpretation with 2 John 9, 10. The man has virtually sealed his fate as one of the “goats.” [Matthew 25:40-46] There were traveling apostles and prophets who moved about to strengthen the widely scattered congregations in the Roman Empire. Sometimes a local elder shows no respect to those who have wider powers within the Church.

25	Those [in the congregation] wishing [to receive the visiting brothers]: Or, wishing to have them in their homes. These members of the church would have included the hospitable Gaius. These are the “sheep.” [Matthew 25:40]

26

He wishes to hinder and expel from the congregation: Or, interferes, prevents. Possibly he had the authority to excommunicate and used this as a threat. An example of the “evil slave.” [Matthew 24:49] Paul had similar struggles. [2 Timothy 4:15] This is religious control and the atmosphere of fear in the congregation must have been considerable. Only the brave dare challenge such a man.

3 John 11-12 – Imitate Good and Not Bad

3JN11 Beloved, do not imitate the bad but rather, the good. 27 The person doing good is from The God. 28 The person doing harm has not seen The God. 29

27

Do not imitate the bad but rather, the good: Or, KJV: follow not that which is evil, but that which is good; WEY: do not copy evil, but good. [Romans 12:9; 1 Peter 3:11] Compare Hebrews 13:7. There are bad examples in the Church, sometimes in the majority. One does well not to look at these but the lone excellent examples of true followers of Christ. [1 Corinthians 11:1; 1 Peter 2:21] Even when others, including a majority, follow a harmful path the genuine disciple must continue to imitate the good.

28	The person doing good is from The God: Or, is of God, is a child of God. Jesus taught that there was only One who was absolutely Good as the source of all goodness. Those desiring to be genuine disciples of Jesus do well to keep their eye on good examples and avoid the bad. [2 Timothy 2:20-22]

29	The person doing harm has not seen The God: Or, evil, wrong-doer, does what is bad. [1 John 3:10] Here “seen” means “experience.” [Job 19:26] “Harm” or bad here must include slanderous speech against traveling elders and missionaries.

3JN12 Demetrius has a fine testimony 30 of those [in the congregation] and the Truth testifies also. Indeed, we also testify and you realize that our testimony is truthful.

30	Demetrius has a fine testimony: What a contrast Demetrius is to Diotrephes.

3 John 13-14 – A Coming Visit

3JN13 I had many things to write you, 31 but I do not wish to continue writing with pen and ink.

31	I had many things to write you: Compare 2 John 12.

3JN14 I am hoping to see you right away, 32 and then we shall speak face to face. Peace unto you. The Friends 33 greet you. Greet the Friends by name.

32	I am hoping to see you right away: This news must have made Diotrephes shudder?

33	The Friends: Another designation for the early Christians. Compare John 15:14.

Review Questions