The Third Epistle of John

• Who Wrote: The Apostle John
• Where Written: Ephesus, or near
• When Written: c. 98 C.E.

Walking In the Truth

1 The older man[1] to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth.

² Beloved one, I pray that in all things you continue to prosper[2] and enjoy good health, just as your soul is prospering. ³ For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified to your truth, just as you are walking in the truth. ⁴ No greater joy do I have than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.

Gaius Commended

⁵ Beloved ones, you act faithfully in whatever you do for the brothers, especially when they are strangers; ⁶ who testified to your love before the congregation.[3] 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.

Ambitious Diotrephes

⁹ I wrote something to the congregation;[4] but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, does not receive us.[5] ¹⁰ For this reason, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words;[6] and not satisfied with this, neither does he himself receive the brothers, and he hinders those wanting to do so and throws them out of the  congregation.[7]

Demetrius Good Testimony

¹¹ Beloved one, 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. ¹² Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself; and we add our testimony, and you know that our testimony is true.

¹³ I have many things to write to you, but I do not want to write to you by means of ink and pen;[8] ¹⁴ but I hope to see you shortly, and we will speak face to face.[9]

¹⁵ Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.

[1] Older man; elder: The Hebrew word (זָקֵן zaqen) and the Greek word (πρεσβύτερος presbuteros), both meaning older man or elder, are used to refer to older persons (Ge 18:11; De 28:50; 1Sa 2:22; 1Ti 5:1, 2) or a person who is older than another. (Lu 15:25) However, they also apply to those who have a position of authority and responsibility in a community or nation. The latter sense is what we find in the Old and the New Testaments. In the Greek NT, presbuteros primarily refers to an older man or elder over an assembly of Christian believers.

[2] Lit to make one’s way well

[3] Gr (ἐκκλησία ekklēsia) “assembly;” “congregation, i.e., of Christians”

[4] Gr (ἐκκλησία ekklēsia) “assembly;” “congregation, i.e., of Christians”

[5] Or what we say

[6] Lit chattering about us with wicked words

[7] Gr (ἐκκλησία ekklēsia) “assembly;” “congregation, i.e., of Christians”

[8] Lit reed

[9] Lit mouth to mouth