3 John 1

This is a short personal letter from John, the elder, to his friend Gaius. He praises Gaius for welcoming traveling Christian workers, warns about a proud leader named Diotrephes who refuses them, and commends a faithful man named Demetrius. The letter shows that truth and love belong together in daily hospitality.

3 John 1:1

John introduces himself simply as the elder and calls Gaius beloved. His love for Gaius is not mere friendliness. It is rooted in the truth they share in Christ, so their bond goes deeper than personal liking.

BSA: beloved (“cherished”): Gaius is held dear and treasured, not just greeted politely. elder (“a respected leader”): John writes with the quiet weight of a trusted, senior shepherd.

3 John 1:2

John prays that Gaius’s outward life would go as well as his inner life. It is a warm, ordinary wish for health and success. It also implies that Gaius’s soul is already thriving, which is the standard John uses.

BSA: prospers (“have a successful journey”): The word pictures a good road ahead, a life that goes well along the way. soul (“seat of emotions”): John means Gaius’s whole inner life, not just a religious part of him.

Greek: εὐοδοῦσθαι (euodousthai, G2137) — “to have a good road, to go well.” The word is built from ‘good’ and ‘way.’ John prays that Gaius’s whole path may run smoothly.

3 John 1:3

Traveling believers had visited John and reported how faithfully Gaius lived by the truth. This news filled John with joy. Gaius’s faith was not only believed but lived out, day after day.

BSA: testified (“bore witness”): The brothers gave a firsthand report, like witnesses speaking from what they had seen. walk (“live”): Walking pictures steady, daily conduct rather than a single moment of belief.

See also: 2 John 1:4.

3 John 1:4

John calls believers he has helped come to Christ his children. Nothing pleases him more than hearing that they keep living by the truth. A spiritual father’s deepest joy is lasting faithfulness, not success or praise.

BSA: children (“spiritual offspring”): These are people John helped come to faith, so his joy is that of a spiritual parent.

See also: 1 Corinthians 4:15.

3 John 1:5

Gaius is faithful in how he serves fellow believers who pass through, even those he has never met. Welcoming strangers took real cost and trust in that day. John treats it as a true act of faith.

BSA: faithful (“trustworthy”): Gaius’s hospitality shows a dependable character others can count on. strangers (“guests”): The travelers were outsiders to him, yet he received them as welcome guests.

See also: Hebrews 13:2.

3 John 1:6

These travelers have told the church about Gaius’s love. John asks him to help them on their journey with food, money and supplies, in a way that honors God. Treat them as God’s own messengers would be treated.

BSA: love (“agape”): This is self-giving love that acts for others’ good, not just warm feeling. send them on their way (“help them on their journey”): It means practical help for the road, such as provisions and companions.

Greek: προπέμψας (propempsas, G4311) — “to send forward with help.” The word means more than a goodbye. It means equipping someone for the next stage of the trip.

3 John 1:7

These workers set out for the sake of the Name, meaning Jesus and all that He is. They took no support from unbelievers, so as not to confuse their message. That leaves it to fellow Christians to carry them.

BSA: Name (“the character and authority of God”): The Name stands for who God is, and the workers travel under His authority. Gentiles (“non-Jewish people”): Here it means the unbelieving outsiders among whom they preached.

See also: Acts 5:41.

3 John 1:8

John says believers are under an obligation to support such workers. By helping them, we share in their labor. Those who stay home and give hospitality become real partners in spreading the truth.

BSA: fellow workers (“co-laborers”): Those who host and give are counted as sharing the work, not just watching it. support (“welcome”): Support begins with receiving these people warmly into one’s home and life.

See also: Philippians 4:14-18.

3 John 1:9

John had written to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, rejected his guidance. His fault is not false teaching but pride. He wanted to run everything, even to the point of setting himself above an apostle’s authority.

BSA: first (“have the preeminence”): Diotrephes wanted the top place, which belongs only to Christ. accept (“welcome”): He would not receive John or his messengers, a refusal of fellowship, not just of advice.

Greek: φιλοπρωτεύων (philoprōteuōn, G5383) — “loving to be first.” This single word joins ’love’ and ‘first.’ It describes a man whose heart is set on the top place.

See also: Colossians 1:18.

3 John 1:10

John says he will deal with Diotrephes if he comes. He spreads evil accusations, refuses to welcome the traveling brothers, blocks those who would, and expels them from the church. Pride grows into slander and cruelty.

BSA: slander (“false and damaging accusations”): He was making groundless charges that hurt the reputation of John and his helpers. forbids (“prevents”): He used his position to stop others from doing good.

3 John 1:11

John tells Gaius to follow what is good, not copy a bad example like Diotrephes. How a person lives shows where he stands with God. Real faith produces goodness, and persistent evil shows that a person does not truly know God.

BSA: imitate (“follow”): We always follow someone, so John urges Gaius to choose his model carefully. seen (“known”): Seeing God here means truly knowing Him, not merely hearing about Him.

See also: 1 John 3:6-10; Hebrews 6:12.

3 John 1:12

Demetrius is held up as a positive example. Everyone speaks well of him, and so does the truth itself, because his life matches the gospel. John adds his own witness and reminds Gaius it can be trusted. He is probably the one carrying this letter.

BSA: testimony (“a witness of his character”): His good name was confirmed by many people, not just one.

Greek: μεμαρτύρηται (memartyrētai, G3140) — “has been testified to.” The tense suggests a standing witness that continues to be given, so his good reputation is well established.

See also: John 21:24.

3 John 1:13-14

John has much more to say but prefers to speak in person. Some matters are best shared face to face. He closes with peace, greetings from friends with him, and a request to greet the friends there by name, each one personally.

BSA: face to face (“mouth to mouth”): The phrase pictures close, open and honest conversation in person. by name (“with personal affection”): Each believer is known and loved individually, not lumped together.

See also: 2 John 1:12.