The Bible — World English Bible

3 John 1

In brief

The third letter of John is a short note written to a church. The elder praises Gaius for walking in the truth and for welcoming traveling brothers who serve the gospel: receiving them means working together with them for the truth. Diotrephes, who loves to be first, refuses to receive them and speaks maliciously. John answers with simple advice: do not imitate what is evil, imitate what is good. The letter ends with a good word about Demetrius.

The chapter in 4 parts

  1. v. 1-4Gaius, loved in the truth, and the joy of seeing children walk in the truth
  2. v. 5-8Welcoming traveling brothers means working with them for the truth
  3. v. 9-11Diotrephes, who loves to be first: do not imitate evil, but good
  4. v. 12-14A good testimony about Demetrius and the hope of a visit

1The elder to Gaius the beloved, whom I love in truth.

2Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be healthy, even as your soul prospers.

3For I rejoiced greatly when brothers came and testified about your truth, even as you walk in truth.

4I have no greater joy than this: to hear about my children walking in truth.

5Beloved, you do a faithful work in whatever you accomplish for those who are brothers and strangers.

6They have testified about your love before the assembly. You will do well to send them forward on their journey in a way worthy of God,

7because for the sake of the Name they went out, taking nothing from the Gentiles.

8We therefore ought to receive such, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.

9I wrote to the assembly, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, doesn’t accept what we say.

10Therefore if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words. Not content with this, neither does he himself receive the brothers, and those who would, he forbids and throws out of the assembly.

11Beloved, don’t imitate that which is evil, but that which is good. He who does good is of God. He who does evil hasn’t seen God.

12Demetrius has the testimony of all, and of the truth itself; yes, we also testify, and you know that our testimony is true.

13I had many things to write to you, but I am unwilling to write to you with ink and pen;

14but I hope to see you soon. Then we will speak face to face. Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.

Key verses

Verse 2
Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be healthy, even as your soul prospers.

John greets Gaius with a wish for good health in every way, measured by the state of his soul. It is not a promise made to everyone: it is a friendly wish that puts the inner life first.

Verse 4
I have no greater joy than this: to hear about my children walking in truth.

For the elder, the greatest joy is not the success of a ministry but seeing those he taught walk in the truth. Walking speaks of a concrete life, not only of convictions.

Verse 8
We therefore ought to receive such, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.

Supporting those who go out for the name of Jesus makes us partners in their mission. Hospitality thus becomes a service to the gospel.

Verse 11
Beloved, don’t imitate that which is evil, but that which is good. He who does good is of God. He who does evil hasn’t seen God.

The moral conclusion of the letter: we become what we imitate. Whoever does good shows that he belongs to God.

Bible verses to meditate on

Characters in this chapter

What the sermons say

15 Bible Verses About Welcome and HospitalityThis selection of verses on hospitality cites 3 John 8: John commends Gaius for receiving traveling brothers, because welcoming those who serve makes you a teammate in their mission.Read the summary →Build Your Faith on the Rock So You Can Stand in the StormPastor René Ouandji preaches on the house built on the rock (Luke 6) and lists 3 John 2 among his quoted verses: a solid life is also judged by the state of the soul.Read the summary →Seeing Before Accomplishing: Overcoming Spiritual BlindnessJoão Ahlin leans on 3 John 2 to say that your whole life, couple, family, career, finances, inner life, must serve to make disciples, and not only your words.Read the summary →

Frequently asked questions about 3 John 1

What is the message of 3 John?

The letter encourages hospitality toward servants of the gospel and warns against the pride of someone who wants to dominate the church. Gaius is praised for his concrete faithfulness, Diotrephes is rebuked for his desire to be first, and the reader is invited to imitate good rather than evil.

Who is Diotrephes in 3 John?

Diotrephes is an influential member of a local church whom John describes as loving to be first. He refuses to receive the apostle and his messengers, speaks maliciously against them and keeps others from welcoming them, even putting people out of the church. He illustrates the danger of power sought for oneself.

What does 3 John 2 mean about prosperity?

John writes Gaius a personal wish: that he may do well in every way and be in good health, just as his soul is doing well. The verse is not a guarantee of wealth or health for every believer. It shows the apostle's care for the whole person, taking Gaius's spiritual life as the standard.

Articles quoting 3 John 1

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World English Bible translation — public domain.