3 JOHN—NOTE ON 3 JOHN 1:1 Greeting: The Elder’s Joy at Gaius’s Faithfulness. John’s opening tone is affectionate and positive. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
3 JOHN—NOTE ON 3 JOHN 1:2 Wishes for GOOD HEALTH were standard in the openings of ancient Greek letters, but John also expresses care for Gaius’s SOUL. Though spiritual growth can come through sickness and affliction (see Psalms 119:67, Psalms 119:71), it is right to pray for good health, as Jesus’... [ Continue Reading ]
3 JOHN—NOTE ON 3 JOHN 1:3 THE BROTHERS CAME. Apparently Christians from Gaius’s church had visited John. They told John of Gaius’s faithful Christian life. TRUTH. Faithfulness to Christ and his commands. (See also note on John 14:6.) ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var... [ Continue Reading ]
3 JOHN—NOTE ON 3 JOHN 1:4 JOY. See 1 John 1:4 and note. MY CHILDREN. His readers are first of all “children of God” (compare John 1:12; John 11:52; 1 John 3:1, 1 John 3:2, 1 John 3:10;... [ Continue Reading ]
3 JOHN—NOTE ON 3 JOHN 1:5 Praise for Gaius’s Support for Traveling Christian Workers. Whereas 2 John 1:10 warns against supporting the wrong people, John affirms Gaius’s work on the behalf of faithful laborers, even though they are “strangers” (3 John 1:5). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsBy... [ Continue Reading ]
3 JOHN—NOTE ON 3 JOHN 1:6 SEND... ON THEIR JOURNEY carries the sense of sending with necessary financial support (see Romans 15:24; 1 Corinthians 16:6, 1 Corinthians 16:11; 2 Corinthians 1:16; Titus 3:13). WORTHY OF GOD. Those laboring for the gospel work not for them [ Continue Reading ]
3 JOHN—NOTE ON 3 JOHN 1:7 THE NAME. The very person of God himself. John may also be referring here to Christ, highlighting his deity. Compare Acts 5:41 and Philippians 2:9. The workers accepted NOTHING FROM THE GENTILES, that is, the non-Christians. Like Paul, the workers did not want to be accused... [ Continue Reading ]
3 JOHN—NOTE ON 3 JOHN 1:8 THE TRUTH. The gospel message (see Colossians 1:5). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
3 JOHN—NOTE ON 3 JOHN 1:9 Concern about Diotrephes. John and Gaius knew people who opposed the progress of God’s kingdom. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
3 JOHN—NOTE ON 3 JOHN 1:10 NOT CONTENT WITH THAT. Sinful personal ambition is never satisfied but seeks to expand. REFUSES TO WELCOME THE BROTHERS. Stands in the way of the support of traveling Christian workers. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.leng... [ Continue Reading ]
3 JOHN—NOTE ON 3 JOHN 1:11 Advice and Commendation of Demetrius. As John ends his short letter, he introduces and commends his faithful messenger. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
3 JOHN—NOTE ON 3 JOHN 1:12 Normal postal service could not be entrusted with Christian correspondence like this letter, so someone like DEMETRIUS served as courier. Phoebe probably served this function in delivering Romans (Romans 16:1), and Tychicus likely hand-carried Ephesians 1:1 (Ephesians 6:21... [ Continue Reading ]
3 JOHN—NOTE ON 3 JOHN 1:13 Closing: A Promise to Visit. John echoes his words in 2 John 1:12. Sometimes pastoral oversight requires physical presence. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
3 JOHN—NOTE ON 3 JOHN 1:15 FRIENDS. An unusual term for fellow believers; but see John 15:15. EACH BY NAME. John’s pastoral care is personal. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]