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3 John 1

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The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.

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Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

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For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.

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I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

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Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;

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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:

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Because that for his name’s sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.

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We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.

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I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee:

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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.

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3 John 1:8

“We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.”

Study Summary

We ought therefore to show hospitality to such people so that we may work together for the truth — the elder constructs a theological argument for hospitality: supporting these missionaries is not charity but participation in shared apostolic mission and advancement of the truth's proclamation. The phrase 'work together' (synergoi) suggests that hospitality itself is collaborative ministry, linking the host community's material resources to the missionary's proclamation in a unified endeavor. By grounding hospitality in mission theology rather than mere altruism, the elder elevates it to a central ecclesial practice.

Community Reflections

1
Tobias van der Berg (test user)1d ago
The meaning of sacrifice — 3 John 1

When we read this alongside the surrounding chapters, the narrative arc becomes clear: God is always working redemption, even in the darkest moments.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. The early church would have heard this very differently than we do today. God is faithful in every circumstance.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. Today it speaks comfort; a year ago it spoke conviction.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. I think this is a call to trust beyond what we can see. God is faithful in every circumstance.. Today it speaks comfort; a year ago it spoke conviction.. What a reminder that God's ways are not our ways. I love how this passage doesn't shy away from the difficulty of obedience. Now I understand why — it's a daily declaration of dependence on God.. The promise here is not conditional on our strength…

Read the note →
1
Chiara Russo (test user)1d ago
Lessons in obedience — 3 John 1

When we read this alongside the surrounding chapters, the narrative arc becomes clear: God is always working redemption, even in the darkest moments.. Following God is costly, but the reward is eternal.. The contrast between human weakness and divine strength is so vivid in this passage. Following God is costly, but the reward is eternal.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. The Hebrew word used here carries a richness that English can't fully capture. God is faithful in every circumstance.. It implies covenant loyalty, steadfast love that never wavers.. The early church would have heard this very differently than we do today. God is faithful in every circumstance.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. I think this is a call to trust beyond what we can see. God is faithful in every…

Read the note →

3 John 1:8

“We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.”

Study Summary

We ought therefore to show hospitality to such people so that we may work together for the truth — the elder constructs a theological argument for hospitality: supporting these missionaries is not charity but participation in shared apostolic mission and advancement of the truth's proclamation. The phrase 'work together' (synergoi) suggests that hospitality itself is collaborative ministry, linking the host community's material resources to the missionary's proclamation in a unified endeavor. By grounding hospitality in mission theology rather than mere altruism, the elder elevates it to a central ecclesial practice.

Community Reflections

1
Tobias van der Berg (test user)1d ago
The meaning of sacrifice — 3 John 1

When we read this alongside the surrounding chapters, the narrative arc becomes clear: God is always working redemption, even in the darkest moments.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. The early church would have heard this very differently than we do today. God is faithful in every circumstance.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. Today it speaks comfort; a year ago it spoke conviction.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. I think this is a call to trust beyond what we can see. God is faithful in every circumstance.. Today it speaks comfort; a year ago it spoke conviction.. What a reminder that God's ways are not our ways. I love how this passage doesn't shy away from the difficulty of obedience. Now I understand why — it's a daily declaration of dependence on God.. The promise here is not conditional on our strength…

Read the note →
1
Chiara Russo (test user)1d ago
Lessons in obedience — 3 John 1

When we read this alongside the surrounding chapters, the narrative arc becomes clear: God is always working redemption, even in the darkest moments.. Following God is costly, but the reward is eternal.. The contrast between human weakness and divine strength is so vivid in this passage. Following God is costly, but the reward is eternal.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. The Hebrew word used here carries a richness that English can't fully capture. God is faithful in every circumstance.. It implies covenant loyalty, steadfast love that never wavers.. The early church would have heard this very differently than we do today. God is faithful in every circumstance.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. I think this is a call to trust beyond what we can see. God is faithful in every…

Read the note →

3 John 1:8

We ought therefore to show hospitality to such people so that we may work together for the truth — the elder constructs a theological argument for hospitality: supporting these missionaries is not charity but participation in shared apostolic mission and advancement of the truth's proclamation. The phrase 'work together' (synergoi) suggests that hospitality itself is collaborative ministry, linking the host community's material resources to the missionary's proclamation in a unified endeavor. By grounding hospitality in mission theology rather than mere altruism, the elder elevates it to a central ecclesial practice.