3 John 1:5

The Charge to Gaius

1:5 Dear friend, ¹  you demonstrate faithfulness ²  by whatever you do for the brothers (even though they are strangers).

3 John 1:13

Conclusion

1:13 I have many things to write to you, but I do not wish to write to you with ³  pen and ink. ⁴ 

[1:5]  ¹ tn The author has already described Gaius as “dear friend” or “beloved” (τῷ ἀγαπητῷ, tw agaphtw) in v. 1; he will address Gaius in the same way in vv. 5 and 11 (᾿Αγαπητέ, Agaphte). This is a term of endearment and personal warmth, much as it is when used by the author as an address in 1 John 2:7.

[1:5]  ² tn BDAG 821 s.v. πιστός 1.b offers the translation “act loyally” for this context, a usage which is not common but does fit well here. Since the author is going to ask Gaius for additional help for these missionaries in the following verse, he begins here by commending Gaius for all that he has already done in this regard.

[1:13]  ³ tn Grk “by means of.”

[1:13]  ⁴ tn Grk “ink and pen.” The more normal order in contemporary English is “pen and ink.”