3 John 1-8

1: The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth. 
2: Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.
3: For I was very glad when brethren came and testified to your truth, that is, how you are walking in truth.
4: I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.

5: Beloved, you are acting faithfully in whatever you accomplish for the brethren, and especially when they are strangers.
6: and they have testified to your love before the church. you will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God.
7: For they went out for the sake of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles.
8: Therefore we ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers with the truth.

*** 

The third epistle of John is to Gaius, a beloved brother in the faith. John first expressed his prayer that Gaius prosper and be in health even as his soul prospered. The prosperity of his soul was evident to John by his behavior toward the saints, for he said he was happy to hear that Gaius was walking in truth. He prayed that this prosperity would give him success and health as well.

John had heard of what Gaius did from fellow believers--travelling ministers of the Gospel. Even though they were strangers to Gaius, he was faithful to receive them, and bless them in the love of Christ. John said if he continued to prove for them this way in their travels, he would be doing so in a manner worthy of God.

John was joyful to hear of Gaius' love, which he expressed as walking in the truth. John often mentioned truth and love together, (2 John 3, 4-5, 1 John 3:18), as they go hand in hand. He said that these ministers went out for, "the sake of the Name," that is the name of Jesus Christ, and accepted nothing from the Gentile converts. Just as Paul worked for his own support so he could make the Gospel free of charge, (1 Corinthians 9:18), so were these minister doing. John said we ought to support such as these, so we are fellow workers with the truth.

Jesus emphasized that the love of the brethren for one another would be the distinguishing characteristic of His disciples (John 13:35). It is the commandment He gave for those who love Him to keep (John 13:34, 14:15, 14:21, 15:10, 15:12-14, 15:17), His words being the Word of the Father Himself (John 14:10, 14:24, 17:8, 17:14). John, so close to Jesus, knew His heart of love possibly more than any of the others, and emphasized this love repeatedly in his writings.




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