3 John 1

Berean Standard Bible

Chapter summary

The elder addresses this letter to the beloved Gaius, expressing joy upon hearing from visiting brothers that Gaius continues to walk in the truth and remains faithful in his hospitality toward traveling strangers. The author notes that these travelers went out for the sake of the Name without accepting help from Gentiles, and encourages supporting them. The letter then mentions that Diotrephes refuses the author's instructions, spreads malicious slander, rejects visiting brothers, and expels those who try to welcome them. In contrast, Demetrius receives a good testimony from everyone and from the truth itself. Finally, the author states a preference to speak face to face rather than writing further with pen and ink, and concludes by passing along greetings from friends.

Summary automatically generated from the Bible text.

Words of Jesus in red

¹The elder, To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth: ²Beloved, I pray that in every way you may prosper and enjoy good health, as your soul also prospers. ³For I was overjoyed when the brothers came and testified about your devotion to the truth, in which you continue to walk. ⁴I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. ⁵Beloved, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers, and especially since they are strangers to you. ⁶They have testified to the church about your love. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God. ⁷For they went out on behalf of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. ⁸Therefore we ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers for the truth. ⁹I have written to the church about this, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not accept our instruction. ¹⁰So if I come, I will call attention to his malicious slander against us. And unsatisfied with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers and forbids those who want to do so, even putting them out of the church. ¹¹Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God. ¹²Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself. We also testify for him, and you know that our testimony is true. ¹³I have many things to write to you, but I would prefer not to do so with pen and ink. ¹⁴Instead, I hope to see you soon and speak with you face to face. Peace to you. The friends here send you greetings. Greet each of our friends there by name.

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Louis Segond 1910 and Berean Standard Bible: public domain. Cross references: open-cross-ref, Creative Commons BY 4.0.