3 John 1:8

We therefore ought to receive such,.... We who are Jews, that have believed in Christ, for such an one Gaius, it seems, as well, as the apostle, were, ought to receive such preachers of the word into

We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth. We - in contradistinction to "the Gentiles" (3 John 1:7). Therefore - as they take nothing from the Gentiles. Receive.

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8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth. Ver. 8. That we might be fellowhelpers] And so receive a prophet’ s reward.

(2 a.) (2) Beloved.—St. John’s affection is founded on the high merits of Caius as a Christian. Above all things.—This may mean “in all things.” Be in health.—An ascetic would be surprised that one of the greatest of the Apostles should be so earnest on such a point. But the better a man’s health, the more thoroughly he can do the work of God. Sickness may be allowed to chasten the erring or rebellious heart, but a Christian whose faith is firm and character established, can ill afford to despise the inestimable blessing of a sound body. Functional and organic disorder or enervation proportionately lessen the capacity for thought, resolution, and activity. Even as thy soul prospereth.—The word “prospereth” is literally makes good way, and so links on to the idea of walking, in 3 John 1:3-4. The health of the soul came first in the Apostle’s mind: when there is that, he can wish for bodily health to support it. (2 b.) (3) I rejoiced greatly.—Compare 2 John 1:4. “For” introduces the reason of the high praise in 3 John 1:2. The truth that is in thee.—The inward presence of Christ, manifested by the Christian life and consistency of Caius. Even as thou walkest in the truth.—This is an additional evidence from the brethren to show that the presence of the truth in Caius had been practically tested. Thou is emphatic in the Greek, showing that there were others, like Diotrephes, of whom this could not be said. (4) I have no greater joy.—This is a general statement arising out of the particular instance. The comparative is double—a comparative formed on a comparative; it may be only irregular, an evidence that the writer was not a classical Greek scholar, or it may be for intensity. There is a similar comparative in Ephesians 3:8, where the force is evidently intensive. My children means the members of the churches specially under the care of St. John. (5) Thou doest faithfully—i.e., worthily of a faithful man, consistently with the Christian character. It may be translated, “Thou doest a faithful work in whatsoever. . . .” Whatsoever thou doest.—Done from right motives, as unto Christ. Whatever form (it is hinted that the form would be various) the activity of Caius might take, so high was the Apostle’s opinion of his character, that he was sure it would be done wisely and well. And to strangers.—According to another reading it is, “And that, strangers,” as in 1 Corinthians 6:6, Ephesians 2:8, Philippians 1:28. Either way, the strangers would be Christians; but, according to the reading in the text, the brethren would be more or less acquaintances of their host. The duty of entertaining Christians on their travels was of peculiar importance in early times, (1) from the length of time which travelling required, (2) from the poverty of the Christians, (3) from the kind of society they would meet at public inns. The duty is enforced in Romans 12:13; 1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:8; Hebrews 13:2; 1 Peter 4:9.

Verse 8. We therefore ought to receive such] Those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, and have professed the truth at the hazard of their lives, and the loss of all their worldly substance. Instead of απολαμβανειν, to receive, the most ancient and reputable MSS. have υπολαμβανειν, to take up, undertake for, or kindly receive. Fellow helpers to the truth] And thus encourage the persecuted, and contribute to the spread and maintenance of the Gospel.

8. We therefore] ‘We’ is in emphatic contrast to the heathen just mentioned. The Apostle softens the injunction by including himself: comp. 1 John 2:1.ought to receive such] Or, ought to support such, to undertake for them: the verb (ὑπολαμβάνειν not ἀπολαμβάνειν) occurs elsewhere in N.T. only in S. Luke’s writings, and there with a very different meaning. Comp. Xen. Anab. I. i. 7. There is perhaps a play upon words between the missionaries taking nothing from the Gentiles, and Christians being therefore bound to undertake for them.that we might be fellowhelpers to] Rather, that we may become fellow-workers with. ‘Fellow-workers’ rather than ‘fellow-helpers’ on account of 3 John 1:5; see also on 2 John 1:11. Cognate words are used in the Greek, and this may as well be preserved in the English. ‘Fellow-workers’ with what? Not with the truth, as both A.V. and R.V. lead us to suppose; but with the missionary brethren. In N.T. persons are invariably said to be ‘fellow-workers of’ (Romans 16:3; Romans 16:9; Romans 16:21; 1 Corinthians 3:9; 2 Corinthians 1:24; Philippians 2:25; Philippians 4:3; [1 Thessalonians 3:2;] Philemon 1:24), never ‘fellow-workers to’ or ‘fellow-workers with:’ those with whom the fellow-worker works are put in the genitive, not in the dative. The dative here is the dativus commodi, and the meaning is; that we may become their fellow-workers for the truth. Sometimes instead of the dative we have the accusative with a preposition (Colossians 4:11; comp. 2 Corinthians 8:23).

We therefore ought to receive such - All of us ought hospitably to entertain and help such persons. The work in which they are engaged is one of pure benevolence. They have no selfish aims and ends in it.

8. Therefore—In view of their unpaid labours and need of supplies, Christians should support the missionaries if Gentiles or pagans do not. Fellow-helpers—Of the missionaries.