Observe here, 1. The penman and writer of this epistle, St. John, who wrote the two former, as appears by agreement of them in words and phrases, which are peculiar to this apostle; he styles himself not an apostle, though he was so, but an ELDER: that word being. name of honour and dignity belongin... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. This holy man, Gaius who was so hospitable an host to the ministers and members of Christ, had but. weak and sickly body, and wanted health; strength of grace and dearness of respect, even from God himself, cannot prevail against diseases; such as are most holy are sometimes most we... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. The commendable testimony which the brethren that came from Gaius have to St. John concerning his holy and unblamable conversation, according to the direction of the gospel. THE BRETHREN TESTIFIED OF THEE, THAT THOU WALKEST IN THE TRUTH: good reports of our brethren, without detract... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, How our apostle at once commends the great charity of Gaius, and at the same time excites him to the farther practice of it. Where note, 1. How charity towards Christians is here styled fidelity to Christ, because shown to them upon Christ's account: BELOVED, THOU DOEST FAITHFULLY WHA... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. The pious care which St. John took for the relief and succour of such faithful Christians as now travelled amongst them, both to avoid persecutation, and to preach the gospel; he wrote to the church on their behalf, desiring their reception, and advising their relief; I WROTE TO THE... [ Continue Reading ]
Here St. John advises his beloved Gaius, and those with him, not to imitate and follow this evil example of Diotrephes, (who not only refused charity towards the Christian Jews that wanted it, himself, but would not permit the Gentile Christians to receive them or relieve them,) but to follow the ex... [ Continue Reading ]
Having propounded the example of God in the former verse, he propounds in this the example of Demetrius, as. pattern to them for their imitation in works of piety and charity; not only common report, and the apostle's testimony, but his own good works, did justly recommend him as an extraordinary pa... [ Continue Reading ]
Thus our apostle concludes his epistle with an apology for the brevity of it, hoping in. short time to see him, and to speak face to face unto him; he concludes with his apostolic valediction, PEACE BE TO THEE; unto which adding the brethren's salutations, it teaches us, that kind remembrances and g... [ Continue Reading ]