God's New Bible

The Third Epistle of John

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- Chapter 1 -

(2 John 1:1–3)
1
The Elder, to Gaius, most beloved, whom I love in the truth.
2
Most beloved, concerning everything, I make it my prayer that you may benefit by advancing and succeeding in whatever may be to the benefit of your soul.
3
I was very glad when the brothers arrived, and when they offered testimony to the truth in you, that you are walking in the truth.
4
I have no greater grace than this, when I hear that my sons are walking in the truth.(a)

Gaius Commended for Hospitality

5
Most beloved, you should act faithfully in whatever you do for the brothers, and those who are sojourners;
6
they have given testimony to your charity in the sight of the Church. You would do well to lead these ones worthily to God.
7
For they set out, on behalf of his name, accepting nothing from the unbelievers.(b) (c)
8
Therefore, we must accept such as these, in order that we may cooperate with the truth.

Diotrephes and Demetrius

9
As it happens, I had written to the church. But Diotrephes, who loves to bear the highest rank among them, would not accept us.(d) (e)
10
Because of this, when I come, I will admonish his works which he does, babbling against us with malicious words. And as if this were not sufficient for him, he himself does not receive the brothers. And those who do receive them, he hinders, and he ejects them from the church.
11
Most beloved, do not be willing to imitate what is evil; instead imitate what is good. Whoever does good is of God. Whoever does evil has not seen God.
12
Testimony is being given for Demetrius by everyone, and by the truth itself. And we also offer testimony. And you know that our testimony is true.

Conclusion

(2 John 1:12–13)
13
I had many things to write to you, but I am not willing, through ink and pen, to write to you.(f)
14
Yet I hope to see you soon, and then we will speak face to face. Peace to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.

Footnotes

(a)1:4 No greater grace:that is nothing that gives me greater joy and satisfaction.(Challoner)
(b)1:7 The term ‘Gentiles’ in this context refers, not to Christians who were not formerly Jews, but to unbelievers.(Conte)
(c)1:7 Taking nothing of the Gentiles:These ministers of the gospel are commended by St. John, who took nothing from the Gentiles, lest they should seem to preach in order to get money by it.(Challoner)
(d)1:9 John addresses this letter to an individual, Gaius, because a troublemaker in the Church was making it ineffective for him to write directly to the Church in that city.(Conte)
(e)1:9 Diotrephes who loves:This man seems to be in power, but not a friend to the faithful; therefore this part of the letter might be an admonition to him from the apostle.(Challoner)
(f)1:13 It seems to me that John is not willing to trust everything to writing because there are troublemakers within the Church he is writing to, who might distort what he is saying, or who might not deliver it. Letters in past times were often hand delivered by some trusted person who was traveling to the same place. John seems to lack the ability to send someone who would be widely accepted to that Church.(Conte)
(2 John 1:1–3)
1
The elder to Gaius the beloved, whom I love in truth.
2
Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be healthy, even as your soul prospers.
3
For I rejoiced greatly when brothers came and testified about your truth, even as you walk in truth.
4
I have no greater joy than this: to hear about my children walking in truth.

Gaius Commended for Hospitality

5
Beloved, you do a faithful work in whatever you accomplish for those who are brothers and strangers.
6
They 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,
7
because for the sake of the Name they went out, taking nothing from the Gentiles.
8
We therefore ought to receive such, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.

Diotrephes and Demetrius

9
I wrote to the assembly, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, doesn’t accept what we say.
10
Therefore, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words. Not content with this, he doesn’t receive the brothers himself, and those who would, he forbids and throws out of the assembly.
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.
12
Demetrius has the testimony of all, and of the truth itself; yes, we also testify, and you know that our testimony is true.

Conclusion

(2 John 1:12–13)
13
I had many things to write to you, but I am unwilling to write to you with ink and pen;
14
but 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.
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