The Third Epistle of John

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(2 John 1:1–3)

You know me as the chief Elder. I am writing this letter to you, my dear friend Gaius, whom I truly love.

Dear friend, I ask God that things may go well for you in every way, and that you may be physically healthy just as you are healthy in respect to God.

I am very happy because some fellow believers have come here and told me that you live in accordance with the true message about Messiah. They said that you are behaving in a manner that is consistent with God’s truth.

I am very happy when I hear that people whom I helped to believe in Messiah are living in a way that matches God’s truth!

Gaius Commended for Hospitality

Dear friend, you are serving Jesus loyally whenever you do things to help fellow believers, even strangers whom you do not know, who are traveling around doing God’s work.

Some of them have reported before the congregation here how you have showed that you love them. You should continue to help such people do their work in a way that honors God.

When those fellow believers went out to tell people about Jesus, they received no money from people who do not believe in Messiah.

So we who believe in Messiah ought to give food and money to such people as these, to work with them to help others know God’s true message.

Diotrephes and Demetrius

I wrote a letter to your group of believers to tell them to help those other believers. However, Diotrephes does not accept my letter, because he wants to dominate you.

So when I arrive there I will publicly tell everyone what he does: He tells others evil nonsense about us in order to harm us by what he says. He is not content with only doing that, but he himself also refuses to welcome the fellow believers who are traveling around doing God’s work. And those who want to welcome them, he stops them by making them leave the congregation.

Dear friend, do not imitate a bad example like that. Instead, keep imitating good examples. Remember that people who do good deeds truly belong to God. Anyone who keeps doing what is bad has never seen God.

All the believers who know Demetrius say that he is a good person. If the truth were a person, he would say the same thing! We also say he is a good person, and you know that what we say about him is true.

Conclusion

(2 John 1:12–13)

When I began to write this letter, I had much more that I intended to tell you. But now I do not want to say it in a letter.

Instead, I expect to come and see you soon. Then we will talk directly with one another.

(2 John 1:1–3)

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

Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be healthy, even as your soul prospers.

For I rejoiced greatly when brothers came and testified about your truth, even as you walk in truth.

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

Gaius Commended for Hospitality

Beloved, you do a faithful work in whatever you accomplish for those who are brothers and strangers.

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,

because for the sake of the Name they went out, taking nothing from the Gentiles.

We therefore ought to receive such, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.

Diotrephes and Demetrius

I wrote to the assembly, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, doesn’t accept what we say.

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.

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.

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)

I had many things to write to you, but I am unwilling to write to you with ink and pen;

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.