Ver. 1. THE ELDER UNTO THE WELL BELOVED GAIUS,.... The elder is the writer of the epistle, the Apostle John, who so styles himself on account of his age, and office, as in the preceding epistle. The person to whom he writes is "the well beloved Gaius"; not that Gaius, who was the Apostle Paul's host... [ Continue Reading ]
BELOVED, I WISH ABOVE ALL THINGS THAT THOU MAYEST PROSPER,.... Or succeed in all temporal affairs, in the business of life, in which he was; and as success of this sort depends upon the blessing of God, which maketh rich, it is to be wished and prayed for from him: AND BE IN HEALTH; that is, of bod... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR I REJOICED GREATLY WHEN THE BRETHREN CAME,.... From the place where Gaius lived, to that where John now resided; these brethren seem to be preachers of the word, who travelled from place to place to spread the Gospel: AND TESTIFIED OF THE TRUTH THAT IS IN THEE; either of Christ, who was formed... [ Continue Reading ]
I HAVE NO GREATER JOY,.... Nothing that causes greater joy. The Vulgate Latin version reads "grace" or "thanks"; and then the sense is, that he had nothing to be more thankful for: THAN TO HEAR THAT MY CHILDREN WALK IN TRUTH; meaning his spiritual children, those whose conversion he had been the in... [ Continue Reading ]
BELOVED, THOU DOEST FAITHFULLY,.... Or a faithful thing, and as became a faithful man, a believer in Christ; in all his beneficence and charity he acted the upright part; he did not do it in an hypocritical way, to be seen of men, and gain applause from them, but from a principle of love, and with a... [ Continue Reading ]
WHICH HAVE BORNE WITNESS OF THY CHARITY BEFORE THE CHURCH,.... At Ephesus, where John was; these brethren and strangers coming thither, and being greatly affected with Gaius's kindness and liberality to them, could not forbear speaking of it to his praise, in the presence of the members of the churc... [ Continue Reading ]
BECAUSE THAT FOR HIS NAME'S SAKE THEY WENT FORTH,.... From Judea; either of their own accord to preach the Gospel, or being drove out by the unbelieving Jews, for professing the name of Christ; and be it which it will, there was good reason why they should be regarded, and especially since they did... [ Continue Reading ]
WE THEREFORE OUGHT TO RECEIVE SUCH,.... We who are Jews, that have believed in Christ, for such an one Gaius, it seems, as well, as the apostle, were, ought to receive such preachers of the word into our houses, and entertain them cheerfully, while they continue, and supply them with all necessaries... [ Continue Reading ]
I WROTE UNTO THE CHURCH,.... Where Gaius was a member: those who take Gaius to be the same with Paul's host, and whom he baptized at Corinth, think the church at Corinth is here meant; but it seems rather to be meant of some church in Asia nearer Ephesus; nor is it likely that John's first epistle s... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEREFORE, IF I COME,.... Where both Gaius and Diotrephes lived, as he trusted he should shortly, 3 John 1:14; I WILL REMEMBER HIS DEEDS WHICH HE DOTH; meaning, not only that he would tell him of them to his face, but make mention of them, and expose them to the whole church, and reprove him for th... [ Continue Reading ]
BELOVED, FOLLOW NOT THAT WHICH IS EVIL,.... Follow not evil in general, it being hateful to God, contrary to his nature and will, and bad in itself, as well as pernicious in its consequences; and particularly follow not, or do not imitate the particular evil or evils in Diotrephes; as his pride, amb... [ Continue Reading ]
DEMETRIUS HATH GOOD REPORT OF ALL [MEN], This man was of a quite different cast from Diotrephes, and therefore the apostle makes mention of him to Gaius, to be followed by him, and not the other; he was either the same with Demas, which is a contraction of this name, or the person that John sent fro... [ Continue Reading ]
I HAVE MANY THINGS TO WRITE,.... With regard to churches, and particular persons, and concerning hospitality to the poor brethren: BUT I WILL NOT WITH INK AND PEN WRITE UNTO THEE; suggesting he should take another method of communicating his mind to him, which he next mentions.... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT I TRUST I SHALL SHORTLY SEE THEE,.... Either at Ephesus, where John was, or rather at the place where Gaius lived, see 3 John 1:10; AND WE SHALL SPEAK FACE TO FACE; freely and familiarly converse together about these things, which were not thought proper to be committed to writing: PEACE [BE]... [ Continue Reading ]