THE THIRD EPISTLE OF JOHN. _Chronological Notes relative to this Epistle._ -Year of the Constantinopolitan era of the world, or that used by the Byzantine historians, and other eastern writers, 5593. -Year of the Alexandrian era of the world, 5587. -Year of the Antiochian era of the world, 5577.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 3 John 1:2. _I WISH ABOVE ALL THINGS_] περι παντων ευχομαι. _Above_ _all things I pray that thou mayest prosper, and be in health_, και υγιαινειν. to which one MS. adds εν αληθεια, which gives it a different meaning, viz., _that thou mayest be sound in the truth_. The prayer of St. John for Ca... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 3 John 1:3. _WHEN THE BRETHREN CAME_] Probably the same of whom he speaks in the fifth 3 John 1:5 and following verses, and who appear to have been itinerant evangelists. _THE TRUTH THAT IS IN THEE_] The soundness of thy faith and the depth of thy religion.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 3 John 1:4. _TO HEAR THAT MY CHILDREN_] From this it has been inferred that Caius was one of St. John's converts, and consequently not the Corinthian Caius, who was converted, most probably, by St. Paul. But the apostle might use the term _children_ here as implying those who were immediately... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 3 John 1:5. _THOU DOEST FAITHFULLY_] πιστον ποιεις. _Kypke_ thinks that πιστον is put here for πιστιν, and that the phrase signifies _to keep_ or _preserve the faith_, or _to be bound by the faith_, or _to keep one's engagements_. _Thou hast acted as the faith_-the Christian religion, _require... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 3 John 1:6. _WHICH HAVE BORNE WITNESS OF THY CHARITY_] Of thy love and benevolence. _BEFORE THE CHURCH_] The believers at Ephesus; for to this Church the apostle seems to refer. _WHOM IF THOU BRING FORWARD_] If thou continue to assist such, as thou hast done, _thou shalt do well_. The _bret... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 3 John 1:7. _FOR HIS NAME'S SAKE THEY WENT FORTH_] For the sake of preaching the Gospel of the grace of God, and making known JESUS to the heathen. _TAKING NOTHING OF THE GENTILES._] Receiving no emolument for their labour, but in every respect showing themselves to be truly disinterested. So... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 3 John 1:8. _WE THEREFORE OUGHT TO RECEIVE SUCH_] Those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, and have professed the truth at the hazard of their lives, and the loss of all their worldly substance. Instead of απολαμβανειν, _to receive_, the most ancient and reputable MSS. have υπολαμβανε... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 3 John 1:9. _I WROTE UNTO THE CHURCH._] The Church where Caius was; _but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the pre-eminence_, φιλοπρωτευων, _who loves the presidency_, or _chief place_ in the Church. He was doubtless an officer in the Church, at least a deacon, probably a bishop; and, being one,... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 3 John 1:10. _IF I COME, I WILL REMEMBER_] I will show him the authority which, as an apostle of Jesus Christ, I possess. _PRATING AGAINST US_] Diotrephes might have been a _converted_ _Jew_, who was unwilling that the Gentiles should be received into the Church; or a _Judaizing Christian_,... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 3 John 1:11. _FOLLOW NOT THAT WHICH IS EVIL_] Μμ μιμου το κακον· _Do not imitate that wicked man_, i.e., the conduct of Diotrephes; be merciful, loving, and kind. For whatever profession any man may make, it will ever appear that _he who doeth good is of God_ - he alone is the person who uses... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 3 John 1:12. _DEMETRIUS HATH GOOD REPORT_] Perhaps another member of the Church where Caius was; or he might have been one of those whom the apostle recommends to Caius; or, possibly, the _bearer of_ _this letter_ from John to Caius. He seems to have been an excellent person: _all testified_ o... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 3 John 1:13. _I HAD MANY THINGS TO WRITE_] That is, I have many things that I might write; but having the hope of seeing thee shortly, I will not commit them to paper. _Ink_ and _pen_ are here mentioned; _paper_ and _ink_ in the preceding epistle.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 3 John 1:14. _PEACE_ BE _TO THEE._] Mayest thou possess every requisite good, both of a spiritual and temporal kind. Our _FRIENDS SALUTE THEE._] Desire to be affectionately remembered to thee. _Greet the friends by name_ - remember me to all those with whom I am acquainted, as if I had specif... [ Continue Reading ]