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Texts -- 3 John 1:4-14 (NET)

Context
1:4 I have no greater joy than this : to hear that my children are living according to the truth .
The Charge to Gaius
1:5 Dear friend , you demonstrate faithfulness by whatever you do for the brothers (even though they are strangers ). 1:6 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 . 1:7 For they have gone forth on behalf of “The Name ,” accepting nothing from the pagans . 1:8 Therefore we ought to support such people , so that we become coworkers in cooperation with the truth .
Diotrephes the Troublemaker
1:9 I wrote something to the church , but Diotrephes , who loves to be first among them , does not acknowledge us . 1:10 Therefore , if I come , I will call attention to the deeds he is doing – the bringing of unjustified charges against us with evil words ! And not being content with that , he not only refuses to welcome the brothers himself, but hinders the people who want to do so and throws them out of the church ! 1:11 Dear friend , do not imitate what is bad but what is good . The one who does good is of God ; the one who does what is bad has not seen God .
Worthy Demetrius
1:12 Demetrius has been testified to by all , even by the truth itself . We also testify to him, and you know that our testimony is true .
Conclusion
1:13 I have many things to write to you , but I do not wish to write to you with pen and ink . 1:14 But I hope to see you right away , and we will speak face to face . Peace be with you . The friends here greet you . Greet the friends there by name .

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  • [3Jo 1:4] To Love Someone More Dearly

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Ten Biblical & Practical Reasons to Give to the Lord’s Work; Why Give 10% or More of Your Income to the Lord's Work

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Expository Notes on the Bible (Constable)

  • This is another "sandwich"or chiastic section in design (cf. 8:40-56). This structural device usually gives unity to the whole section and focuses attention on the central part of it. First, Jesus sent the Twelve on an evange...
  • The theme of discipleship training continues in this section of verses. The 70 disciples that Jesus sent out contrast with the three men Luke just finished presenting (9:57-62). This was a second mission on which Jesus sent a...
  • Some commentators refer to this ending as a colophon.690However, it is more similar to a postscript because it contains only hints of the writer's identity. Mainly it claims that this Gospel is a reliable though limited recor...
  • 13:1 When love for Jesus Christ falters, love for the brethren normally flags as well (cf. Rom. 12:10; 1 Thess. 4:9-10; 1 Pet. 1:22; 2 Pet. 1:7; 1 John 2:9).13:2 Abraham entertained angels when he showed them hospitality (Gen...
  • "This writing begins without any of the formal features characteristic of a letter, such as we found in 2 John and 3 John. Since the conclusion also lacks any typical features of a letter, we must conclude that the writing is...
  • Third John is probably the most personal letter in the New Testament. Most of the epistles originally went, of course, to churches or groups of Christians. First and 2 John are both of this type. The Pastoral Epistles, while ...
  • Third John and 2 John deal with two sides of the same issue, namely the relationship of the truth and Christian love. In 2 John the writer stressed the importance of the truth. In 3 John he stressed the importance of love. Se...
  • I. Introduction vv. 1-4II. The importance of love vv. 5-12A. Gaius' love vv. 5-8B. Diotrephes' lack of love vv. 9-11C. Demetrius' opportunity for love v. 12III. Conclusion vv. 13-14...
  • John identified himself and greeted the recipient of this shortest New Testament epistle to set the tone for what follows.v. 1 As in 2 John, the Apostle identified himself as "the elder."We do not know exactly who Gaius was. ...
  • John commended Gaius for his love of the brethren to encourage him to continue practicing this virtue.v. 5 John loved Gaius as Gaius loved the brethren to whom he had extended hospitality."The early Christian community's deep...
  • Gaius' good example stands out more clearly beside Diotrephes' bad example. Diotrephes is a rare name and means "nourished by Zeus."13John brought Diotrephes into the picture to clarify the responsibility of Gaius and all oth...
  • Alexander, W. "The Third Epistle of John."In The Speaker's Commentary: New Testament. Edited by F. C. Cook. London: John Murray, 1881.Bailey, Mark L., and Thomas L. Constable. The New Testament Explorer. Nashville: Word Publi...
  • 11:1 "And"(Gr. kai) ties this chapter closely to the previous one. John's first prophetic assignment after receiving his fresh commission was to provide this information.Again John became an active participant in his vision (...

Expositions Of Holy Scripture (Maclaren)

  • For His name's sake.'--3 John 7.THE Revised Version gives the true force of these words by omitting the His,' and reading merely for the sake of the Name.' There is no need to say whose name. There is only One which could evo...
  • That we might be fellow-helpers to the truth.'--3 John 8.FELLOW-HELPERS to the Truth.' A word or two may be permitted as to the immediate occasion of the expression. There seems to have been, as we learn not only from occasio...
  • Demetrius hath a good report of all men, and of the truth itself.'--3 John 12.WHAT a strange fate this Demetrius has had! He has narrowly escaped oblivion, yet he is remembered for ever and his name is known over all the worl...
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