ORTHODOX SCRIPTURES

The Eastern Orthodox Study Bible

The Third Epistle of John

Provisional Orthodox Scriptures Translation — Work in Progress

1 The elder, to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth.

2 Beloved, I pray that in all things you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.

3 For I rejoiced greatly when brothers came and testified to your truth, how you are walking in truth.

4 I have no greater joy than this: to hear that my children are walking in truth.

5 Beloved, you act faithfully in whatever you do for the brothers, even though they are strangers.

6 They have testified before the church concerning your love. You will do well to send them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God.

7 For they went out for the sake of the Name, receiving nothing from the Gentiles.

8 Therefore we ought to receive such people, so that we may become fellow workers for the truth.

9 I wrote something to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, does not receive us.

10 Therefore, if I come, I will call attention to the works he is doing, speaking against us with wicked words. And not satisfied with this, he himself does not receive the brothers, and he prevents those who desire to do so and casts them out of the church.

11 Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is from God; the one who does evil has not seen God.

12 Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself. We also testify, and you know that our testimony is true.

13 I had many things to write to you, but I do not wish to write to you with ink and pen.

14 Rather, I hope to see you soon, and we shall speak face to face.

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

Study Notes

1 — The elder. The writer identifies himself simply as “the elder,” a title of spiritual authority. Ancient Christian tradition associates this letter with John.
3–4 — Walking in truth. Biblical truth is not merely something believed intellectually. It is something lived. Faithfulness appears in conduct, communion, love, and obedience.
5–8 — Hospitality. Gaius is praised for receiving traveling Christian brothers. Hospitality becomes participation in their ministry: those who support the servants of the Gospel become “fellow workers for the truth.”
7 — For the sake of the Name. “The Name” points to Jesus Christ. Early Christians could speak of Christ's Name as shorthand for allegiance to the Lord and the mission carried out in Him.
9 — Diotrephes. His desire “to be first” stands in sharp contrast to Christian leadership understood as service. Authority separated from humility becomes destructive.
11 — Do not imitate evil. John connects moral conduct with knowledge of God. Genuine communion with God should bear visible fruit in the life of the believer.
14 — Face to face. Written instruction has value, but personal communion remains central to the life of the Church.
15 — Peace. The letter concludes not merely with a social courtesy, but with a deeply Christian blessing of peace and communion.

Selected Cross-References

Walking in Truth
John 8:31–32 • John 14:6 • 1 John 1:6–7 • 2 John 4

Christian Hospitality
Matthew 10:40–42 • Romans 12:13 • Hebrews 13:2 • 1 Peter 4:9

Christian Leadership
Mark 10:42–45 • John 13:12–17 • 1 Peter 5:1–4

Good and Evil
Psalm 33(34):14 • Romans 12:9 • 1 Peter 3:11 • 1 John 3:6–10