3 John 1

3 John 1:1

Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man - To every secular power. Instrumentally these are ordained by men; but originally all their power is from God.

3 John 1:2

Or to subordinate governors, or magistrates.

3 John 1:3

The ignorance - Of them who blame you, because they do not know you: a strong motive to pity them.

3 John 1:4

As free - Yet obeying governors, for God’s sake.

3 John 1:5

Honour all men - As being made in the image of God, bought by his Son, and designed for his kingdom. Honour the king - Pay him all that regard both in affection and action which the laws of God and man require.

3 John 1:6

Servants - Literally, household servants. With all fear - Of offending them or God. Not only to the good - Tender, kind. And gentle - Mild, easily forgiving.

3 John 1:7

For conscience toward God - From a pure desire of pleasing him. Grief - Severe treatment.

3 John 1:9

Hereunto are ye - Christians. Called - To suffer wrongfully. Leaving you an example - When he went to God. That ye might follow his steps - Of innocence and patience.

3 John 1:10

In all these instances the example of Christ is peculiarly adapted to the state of servants, who easily slide either into sin or guile, reviling their fellowservants, or threatening them, the natural result of anger without power. He committed himself to him that judgeth righteously - The only solid ground of patience in affliction. Isaiah 53:4,6,7,9.

3 John 1:11

In all these instances the example of Christ is peculiarly adapted to the state of servants, who easily slide either into sin or guile, reviling their fellowservants, or threatening them, the natural result of anger without power. He committed himself to him that judgeth righteously - The only solid ground of patience in affliction. Isaiah 53:4,6,7,9.

3 John 1:12

Who himself bore our sins - That is, the punishment due to them. In his afflicted, torn, dying body on the tree - The cross, whereon chiefly slaves or servants were wont to suffer. That we being dead to sin - Wholly delivered both from the guilt and power of it: indeed, without an atonement first made for the guilt, we could never have been delivered from the power. Might live to righteousness - Which is one only. The sins we had committed, and he bore, were manifold.

3 John 1:13

The bishop - The kind observer, inspector, or overseer of your souls.