3 John
3 John front
Pengantar 3 Yohanes
Bagian 1: Pengantar Umum
Garis Besar Kitab 3 Yohanes
- Pendahuluan (1:1)
- Dorongan dan arahan untuk menunjukkan keramahan (1:2–8)
- Kecaman terhadap Diotrephes (1:9–10)
- Petunjuk untuk meniru apa yang baik (1:11)
- Pujian untuk Demetrius (1:12)
- Kesimpulan dan salam (1:13–15)
Siapa yang menulis kitab 3 Yohanes?
Surat ini tidak menyebutkan nama penulisnya. Penulis hanya menyebut dirinya sebagai "Penatua" (1:1). Surat ini mungkin ditulis oleh rasul Yohanes menjelang akhir hidupnya, setelah ia menulis Injil Yohanes dan surat 1 Yohanes dan 2 Yohanes.
Tentang apakah kitab 3 Yohanes ini??
Yohanes menulis surat ini kepada seorang percaya bernama Gayus. Ia memerintahkan Gayus untuk bersikap ramah dan menolong sesama orang percaya yang sedang melakukan perjalanan melalui daerahnya. Mereka mungkin adalah kelompok pengkhotbah dan guru-guru Kristen yang sedang dalam perjalanan. Yohanes juga memperingatkan Gayus tentang seorang pemimpin yang buruk dalam jemaat di sana yang bernama Diotrefes dan memuji seorang pemimpin yang baik yang bernama Demetrius.
Bagaimana seharusnya judul kitab ini diterjemahkan?
Para penerjemah dapat memilih untuk menyebut buku ini dengan judul tradisionalnya, "3 Yohanes" atau "Yohanes yang Ketiga". Atau mereka dapat memilih judul yang lebih jelas, seperti "Surat Ketiga dari Yohanes" atau "Surat Ketiga yang Ditulis Yohanes". (Lihat: INVALID terjemahan/terjemahan-nama)
Bagian 2: Konsep Agama dan Budaya yang Penting
Apa yang dimaksud dengan keramahtamahan?
Keramahan adalah konsep penting di Timur Dekat kuno. Sangatlah penting untuk bersikap ramah terhadap orang asing atau orang luar dan memberikan bantuan kepada mereka jika mereka membutuhkannya. Dalam 2 Yohanes, Yohanes melarang orang Kristen untuk menunjukkan keramahan kepada guru-guru palsu. Dalam 3 Yohanes, Yohanes mendorong orang Kristen untuk menunjukkan keramahan kepada guru-guru yang setia.
Bagian 3: Masalah Penerjemahan yang Penting
Bagaimana penulis menggunakan hubungan keluarga dalam suratnya?
Penulis menggunakan istilah saudara dan anak-anak dengan cara yang dapat membingungkan. Kitab Suci Perjanjian Lama sering menggunakan istilah saudara untuk merujuk kepada sesama orang Yahudi. Tetapi dalam surat ini, Yohanes menggunakan kata tersebut untuk menyebut sesama orang Kristen. Juga, Yohanes menyebut beberapa orang percaya sebagai anak-anaknya. Maksudnya adalah dalam pengertian rohani; mereka adalah orang-orang percaya yang telah diajarnya untuk menaati Kristus.
Yohanes juga menggunakan istilah Gentile dengan cara yang dapat membingungkan. Kitab Suci sering menggunakan istilah Yahudi** untuk menyebut orang-orang yang bukan Yahudi. Tetapi dalam surat ini, Yohanes menggunakan kata tersebut untuk menyebut mereka yang tidak percaya kepada Yesus.
Bentuk "Anda" yang mana yang muncul dalam surat ini?
Ini adalah surat pribadi dari Yohanes kepada temannya, Gayus. Semua kata ganti kamu dan Engkau dalam surat ini merujuk kepada Gayus dan berbentuk tunggal.
Bagaimana saya dapat menerjemahkan ayat 6-7 dalam urutan yang logis?
Ayat 7 memberikan alasan untuk tindakan yang Yohanes rekomendasikan dalam ayat 6. Dalam beberapa bahasa, lebih alamiah untuk menyatakan alasannya terlebih dahulu, dan tindakannya sesudahnya. Jika hal ini lebih alamiah dalam bahasa Anda, Anda dapat membalik urutan kalimatnya dan kemudian menggabungkan nomor ayatnya. (Lihat: INVALID terjemahan/terjemahan-ayat)
Untuk ULT, membalikkan kalimat akan terlihat seperti ini:
6-7 orang-orang yang telah memberikan kesaksian tentang kasih-Mu di hadapan jemaat. Orang-orang ini telah pergi demi namanya, dan tidak menerima apa pun dari bangsa-bangsa lain. Oleh karena itu, sebaiknya kamu mengutus mereka dengan cara yang layak bagi Allah.
3 John 1
3 John 1:1
The elder
Quote: ὁ πρεσβύτερος (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
Penatua merujuk kepada Yohanes, rasul dan murid Yesus. Ia menyebut dirinya sebagai penatua, entah karena usianya yang sudah tua atau karena ia adalah seorang pemimpin dalam gereja, atau keduanya, karena keduanya benar. Jika memungkinkan, gunakanlah sebuah kata dalam bahasa Anda yang dapat merujuk pada usia tua dan kepemimpinan gereja. Jika itu akan membantu dalam bahasa Anda, nama penulisnya dapat disebutkan secara eksplisit. Terjemahan alternatif: "Aku, Yohanes penatua, sedang menulis"
to … Gaius
Quote: Γαΐῳ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Gaius is a man, a fellow believer to whom John is writing this letter.
whom I love in truth
Quote: ὃν ἐγὼ ἀγαπῶ ἐν ἀληθείᾳ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of truth, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “whom I love sincerely”
3 John 1:2
just as your soul prospers
Quote: καθὼς εὐοδοῦταί σου ἡ ψυχή (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
John is using one part of Gaius, his soul, to mean all of him in a spiritual perspective. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “just as you are doing well spiritually”
3 John 1:3
For
Quote: γὰρ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result
The word translated as For indicates that what follows is a reason for what came before. Use a connector in your language that makes it clear that what follows is a reason for what came before. Alternate translation: “I know that your soul prospers because”
at the coming of the brothers
Quote: ἐρχομένων ἀδελφῶν (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
John is using the term brothers to mean people who share the same faith. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. In this case, these brothers were probably all male. Alternate translation: “when fellow believers were coming”
and testifying to
Quote: καὶ μαρτυρούντων (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
John assumes that Gaius will understand that the brothers who came were the ones testifying about Gaius. You could include this information if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “who testified to” or “who reported to me about”
you are walking in truth
Quote: σὺ ἐν ἀληθείᾳ περιπατεῖς (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here, walking on a path is a metaphor for how a person lives his life. Alternate translation: “you are living your life according to God’s truth”
truth, … truth
Quote: ἀληθείᾳ & ἀληθείᾳ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of truth, you could express the same idea in another way, as in the UST.
3 John 1:4
I have no greater joy than
Quote: μειζοτέραν & οὐκ ἔχω χαράν (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of joy, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “Nothing makes me more joyful than” or “Nothing makes me happier than”
my children
Quote: τὰ ἐμὰ τέκνα (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
John speaks of those whom he taught to believe in Jesus as though they were his children. This also emphasizes his love and concern for them. Alternate translation: “my spiritual children”
are walking in the truth
Quote: ἐν τῇ ἀληθείᾳ περιπατοῦντα (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here, walking on a path is a metaphor for how a person lives his life. Alternate translation: “are living according to God’s truth”
in the truth
Quote: ἐν τῇ ἀληθείᾳ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of truth, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “in God's true ways”
3 John 1:5
Beloved
Quote: ἀγαπητέ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The word Beloved refers to Gaius. John is using it as a term of endearment for Gaius as a fellow believer. Use a term here for a dear friend in your language.
you are doing a faithful thing
Quote: πιστὸν ποιεῖς (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implication is that Gaius is being faithful to God. You could include this information if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “you are doing what is faithful to God” or “you are being loyal to God”
whenever you might work for the brothers
Quote: ὃ, ἐὰν ἐργάσῃ εἰς τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
John is using the term brothers to mean people who share the same faith. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “when you help fellow believers”
3 John 1:6
the ones having borne witness to your love in the presence of the church
Quote: οἳ ἐμαρτύρησάν σου τῇ ἀγάπῃ ἐνώπιον ἐκκλησίας (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-pronouns
Here, the ones refers back to the “strangers” in verse 5. If it would be helpful in your language, you could repeat the word “strangers” here. Alternate translation: “those who were strangers to you, who have told the believers in the church here about how you have loved them”
them
Quote: οὓς (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-pronouns
Here, them may refer (1) in a general sense to all traveling believers, rather than to the specific strangers who told about how Gaius had helped them. Alternate translation: “all such travelers” (2) to the specific group of travelers who told about how Gaius had helped them. In this case, the same group would be traveling back to where Gaius is and then traveling farther. Alternate translation: “these brothers”
to send them on
Quote: οὓς & προπέμψας (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
John is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You could supply these words from earlier in the sentence if it would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “to send them on their journey”
to send them on
Quote: οὓς & προπέμψας (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
Here, send them on is an idiom that means “give them what they need for the journey.” If this phrase does not have that meaning in your language, you could use an idiom from your language that does have this meaning or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “to supply them for the trip”
3 John 1:6-7
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: οὓς καλῶς ποιήσεις, προπέμψας ἀξίως τοῦ Θεοῦ; ὑπὲρ γὰρ τοῦ ὀνόματος ἐξῆλθον, μηδὲν λαμβάνοντες ἀπὸ τῶν ἐθνικῶν (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result
If it would be more natural in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases, since the second phrase gives the reason for the action that the first phrase describes. If you do so, you will need to combine verses 6 and 7 as described in the book introduction. Alternate translation: “These people went out for the sake of the name, receiving nothing from the Gentiles. Therefore, you will do well to send them on in a manner worthy of God.”
3 John 1:7
because they went out for the sake of the name
Quote: ὑπὲρ γὰρ τοῦ ὀνόματος ἐξῆλθον (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here, the name refers to Jesus. This could mean: (1) they left where they were in order to tell others about Jesus. (2) they left where they were because others forced them to leave because of their belief in Jesus. (3) both of these things. Alternate translation: “since they have gone out to tell people about Jesus”
receiving nothing
Quote: μηδὲν λαμβάνοντες (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This could mean: (1) unbelievers have not helped them by giving them anything. (2) they did not accept any help or gifts from unbelievers.
the Gentiles
Quote: τῶν ἐθνικῶν (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
Here, Gentiles does not mean people who are not Jewish. It refers to any people who do not trust in Jesus. Alternate translation: “unbelievers”
3 John 1:8
Therefore
Quote: οὖν (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result
Therefore indicates that what follows is a result of what came before. In this case, we ourselves ought to help these people because “the Gentiles” (verse 7) do not help them. Use a connector in your language that makes this relationship clear. Alternate translation: “This is why”
we ourselves ought
Quote: ἡμεῖς & ὀφείλομεν (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive
John is using we ourselves to refer to Gaius, himself, and all believers, so use the inclusive form of that word if your language marks that distinction.
to welcome
Quote: ὑπολαμβάνειν (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implication is that to welcome these people includes providing what they need for their journey. You could include this information if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “to help” or “to support”
so that
Quote: ἵνα (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-goal
Here, so that marks becoming fellow workers as a goal or purpose of welcoming people such as these. Use a connector in your language that makes it clear that this is a purpose. Alternate translation: “and in this way”
so that we become fellow workers for the truth
Quote: ἵνα συνεργοὶ γινώμεθα τῇ ἀληθείᾳ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification
John is speaking as if the truth were a living thing that he and his fellow Christians could become workers for. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “so that we will cooperate with them in announcing God’s truth to people”
for the truth
Quote: τῇ ἀληθείᾳ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification
Here, the truth is spoken of as though it were a person that John, Gaius, and others worked for. This could refer to: (1) the true message from God. Alternate translation: “who spread God's true message” (2) God himself, who is Truth. Alternate translation: “for the true God”
3 John 1:9
something
Quote: τι (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
What John wrote was a letter, probably containing instructions about helping traveling Christian teachers. You could include this information if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “a letter about this”
to the church
Quote: τῇ ἐκκλησίᾳ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
Here, the church refers to Gaius and the group of believers who regularly met together with him to worship God. You could include this information if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “to the assembly of believers in your place”
Diotrephes
Quote: Διοτρέφης (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Diotrephes was a man who was a leader of the church.
the one loving to be first among them
Quote: ὁ φιλοπρωτεύων αὐτῶν (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
John is using the word first in the sense of “most important” or “in charge.” Alternate translation: “who loves to be the most important one among them” or “who loves to act as though he is their leader”
us
Quote: ἡμᾶς (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive
The word us is exclusive; it refers to John and those with him and does not include Gaius. It may also be a polite way for John to refer to himself. See the UST.
Diotrephes, … does not accept us
Quote: Διοτρέφης, οὐκ ἐπιδέχεται ἡμᾶς (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Saying Diotrephes … does not accept us does not mean that he has physically rejected John and those with John, but it is a shorter way of saying that he does not accept John’s authority or the instructions that John gives. Alternate translation: “Diotrephes … rejects our instructions”
3 John 1:10
For this reason
Quote: διὰ τοῦτο (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result
For this reason indicates that what follows is a result of what came before. Because Diotrephes “does not accept” John's authority (verse 9), John will expose his evil works when John comes. Use a connector in your language that makes this relationship clear. Alternate translation: “Therefore” or “This is why”
if I come
Quote: ἐὰν ἔλθω (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-go
In a context such as this, your language might say “go” instead of come. Alternate translation: “if I go to you”
if I come
Quote: ἐὰν ἔλθω (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-condition-fact
John speaks as if he were uncertain about this, but he means that he is planning to come. If your readers might think that what John is saying is uncertain, then you could translate his words as a confident statement. Alternate translation: “when I come” or “at the time that I come”
accusing us with evil words
Quote: λόγοις πονηροῖς φλυαρῶν ἡμᾶς (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification
John is speaking as if the words of Diotrephes were living things that could be morally evil themselves. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “that is, that he says evil things about us that certainly are not true”
he does not receive the brothers
Quote: οὔτε αὐτὸς ἐπιδέχεται τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
John is using the term brothers to mean people who share the same faith. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “he does not welcome the fellow believers”
and he stops the ones willing
Quote: καὶ τοὺς βουλομένους κωλύει (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
John leaves out words that are understood from the previous clause. You could supply these words if it would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “and he stops the ones who are willing to receive the believers”
3 John 1:11
Beloved
Quote: ἀγαπητέ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
Here, Beloved is used as a term of endearment for Gaius as a fellow believer. See how you translated this in 3 John 1:5.
do not imitate the evil, but the good
Quote: μὴ μιμοῦ τὸ κακὸν, ἀλλὰ τὸ ἀγαθόν (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj
John is using the adjectives evil and good as nouns in a general sense. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you could translate these words with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “do not imitate evil things that people do, but good things”
but the good
Quote: ἀλλὰ τὸ ἀγαθόν (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
John leaves out words that are understood from the previous clause. Alternate translation: “but imitate the good things that people do”
has not seen God
Quote: οὐχ ἑώρακεν τὸν Θεόν (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
“Seeing” here is a metaphor that stands for knowing or understanding. Alternate translation: “has not experienced God” or “has not believed in God”
3 John 1:12
Demetrius has been borne witness to by all
Quote: Δημητρίῳ μεμαρτύρηται ὑπὸ πάντων (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternate translation: “All who know Demetrius bear witness of him” or “Every believer who knows Demetrius speaks well of him”
Demetrius
Quote: Δημητρίῳ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Demetrius is a man. He may be someone in Gaius's congregation whom John wants Gaius to support as a leader rather than Diotrephes, or he may be the person who carried this letter to Gaius, and John is now introducing him to Gaius.
has been borne witness to
Quote: μεμαρτύρηται (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implication is that this witness is of good things about Demetrius. You could include this information if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “has been commended as a good person”
by all
Quote: ὑπὸ πάντων (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole
John says all here as a generalization for emphasis. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a different way to express the emphasis. Alternate translation: “by everyone who knows him”
and by the truth itself
Quote: καὶ ὑπὸ αὐτῆς τῆς ἀληθείας (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
John leaves out words that are understood from the previous clause. Alternate translation: “and he has been borne witness to by the truth itself”
and by the truth itself
Quote: καὶ ὑπὸ αὐτῆς τῆς ἀληθείας (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification
Here, John refers to truth as though it were a person speaking. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “everyone who knows the truth knows that he is a good person”
and by the truth itself
Quote: καὶ ὑπὸ αὐτῆς τῆς ἀληθείας (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of truth, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “and by his right way of living”
And we also bear witness
Quote: καὶ ἡμεῖς δὲ μαρτυροῦμεν (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
As in the previous sentence, the implication here is also that this witness is of good things about Demetrius. You could include this information if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “And we also speak well of Demetrius”
we … our
Quote: ἡμεῖς & ἡμῶν (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive
Here, we and our refer to John and those with him and do not include Gaius, so use the exclusive form of those words in your translation if your language marks that distinction.
3 John 1:13
I am not wishing to write {them} to you with ink and pen
Quote: οὐ θέλω διὰ μέλανος καὶ καλάμου σοι γράφειν (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfo
The expression with ink and pen contains extra information about the materials used for writing that would be considered understood and thus unnatural to express in some languages. If this is true of your language, you could shorten the expression. John is not saying that he would write about these things with something other than ink and pen. He is saying that he does not wish to write about these things at all. Alternate translation: “I do not want to write about them to you”
3 John 1:14
mouth to mouth
Quote: στόμα πρὸς στόμα (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
Here, mouth to mouth is an idiom meaning “in person.” If this phrase does not have that meaning in your language, you could use an idiom from your language that does have this meaning or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “face to face” or “in person”
3 John 1:15
Peace to you
Quote: εἰρήνη σοι (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-blessing
John ends his letter with a blessing for Gaius. You could express this as either a blessing or a prayer, in whichever way is more natural in your language. Alternate translation: “May God give you peace”
The friends greet you
Quote: ἀσπάζονταί σε οἱ φίλοι (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
John assumes that Gaius will understand that he is referring to the believers who are with John. You could include this information if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “The believers with me send their greetings to you”
Greet the friends
Quote: ἀσπάζου τοὺς φίλους (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
John assumes that Gaius will understand that he is referring to the believers who are there with Gaius, and that he is to pass on the greetings to them from John and from the believers who are with John. You could include this information if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “Greet the believers there for us”
by name
Quote: κατ’ ὄνομα (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
Here, by name is an idiom that means “personally.” If this phrase does not have that meaning in your language, you could use an idiom from your language that does have this meaning or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “one by one” or “personally”