Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

3 John 1:6

οἳ ἐμαρτύρησάν σου τῇ�. As R.V., who bare witness to thy love. There is no sufficient reason here for rendering the aorist as the perfect; and certainly in S. John’s writings (whatever may be our view of 1 Corinthians 13) ἀγάπη must always be rendered ‘love.’ In a text like this, moreover, ‘charity’ is specially likely to be understood in the vulgar sense of almsgiving, with which it is contrasted in 1 Corinthians 13.

ἐνώπιον ἐκκλησίας. Probably at Ephesus; but wherever S. John was when he wrote the letter. Only in this Third Epistle does he use the word ἐκκλησία: viz., here, and in 3 John 1:9-10 (and in some copies in 3 John 1:8, with or instead of ἀληθείᾳ). For the omission of the article before ἐκκλησίας comp. 1 Corinthians 14:19; 1 Corinthians 14:35; as we say ‘in church.’

οὓς καλῶς ποιήσεις προπέμψας. The order may as well be preserved: whom thou wilt do well to forward on their journey. Προπέμπειν occurs Acts 15:3; Acts 20:38; Acts 21:5; Romans 15:24; 1 Corinthians 16:6; 1 Corinthians 16:11; 2 Corinthians 1:16; Titus 3:13. There would be abundant opportunity in the early Church for such friendly acts; and in telling Gaius that he will do a good deed in helping Christians on their way the Apostle gently urges him to continue such work. Comp. Philippians 4:14; Acts 10:33.

ἀξίως τοῦ Θεοῦ. Worthily of God (R.V.), or, in a manner worthy of God (Rhemish), or, as it beseemeth God (Tyndale and Genevan). ‘Help them forward in a way worthy of Him whose servants they and you are.’ Comp. 1 Thessalonians 2:12; Colossians 1:10.

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Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

3 John 1:6

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