1. GAIUS] A Gains or Caius—the common Latin form of the name—is mentioned in four other places in the NT. (Acts 19:29; Acts 20:4; Romans 16:23; 1 Corinthians 1:14). The trait of character indicated here is in line with the generous hospitality referred to in the third of these passages. It is hardly... [ Continue Reading ]
I WISH] better, 'I pray.' This may imply that Gaius had been ill.... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU] In the Gk., emphatic; in contrast with others, like Diotrephes, of whom this could not be said.... [ Continue Reading ]
GREATER] In the Gk., a double comparative, as in English 'betterer' would be. This may indicate that the author was not a classical Greek scholar, or the usage may be intentional, for emphasis, like the comparative formed on a superlative in Ephesians 3:8. Cp. also, 'How much more elder art thou tha... [ Continue Reading ]
DOEST.. DOEST] The second verb is different in the Gk. from the first, and implies more of toilful labour. AND TO STRANGERS] Much stronger in the best text—' and that too to strangers.' 'The duty of entertaining Christians on their travels was of peculiar importance in early times, (1) from the leng... [ Continue Reading ]
BRING FORWARD] i.e. with practical assistance—money, provisions, escort, etc.... [ Continue Reading ]
TAKING NOTHING OF THE GENTILES] The missionaries whom Gaius had entertained had not been willing to receive assistance from the non-Christians among whom they had been labouring. While they might properly receive from those who had long been Christians, it would be of great importance that there sho... [ Continue Reading ]
I WROTE, etc.] The Gk. makes the statement more exact by inserting an object of the verb—'I wrote somewhat to the Church.' Of this letter we have no further knowledge. Possibly a part of the offence of Diotrephes had been its suppression; so that this may be a hint to Gaius that the contents of this... [ Continue Reading ]
HATH NOT SEEN GOD] a truly Johannine thought: cp. 1 John 3:6. 12. Nothing further is known certainly of Demetrius. But as both he and the mob-leader of the same name (Acts 19:24) lived apparently in or near Ephesus, there is nothing impossible in the suggestion that the agitator had become a discip... [ Continue Reading ]