3 John
3 John front
Introduction to 3 John
Part 1: General Introduction
Outline of the book of 3 John
- Introduction (1:1)
- Encouragement and instructions to show hospitality (1:2–8)
- Condemnation of Diotrephes (1:9–10)
- Instructions to imitate what is good (1:11)
- Praise for Demetrius (1:12)
- Conclusion and greetings (1:13–15)
Who wrote the book of 3 John?
The letter does not give the name of the author. The author only identified himself as The elder (1:1). The letter was probably written by the apostle John near the end of his life, after he had written the Gospel of John and the letters 1 John and 2 John. In this letter, John referred to himself as “the elder.” This may have been because of his old age, or because he was a leader in the church, or both, since both were true. If possible, in your translation use a word in your language that can refer to both old age and church leadership.
What is the book of 3 John about?
John wrote this letter to a believer named Gaius. He instructed Gaius to be hospitable and helpful to fellow believers who were traveling through his area. These were probably groups of traveling Christian preachers and teachers. John also warned Gaius about a bad leader in the church there named Diotrephes. He also commended a good leader there named Demetrius. This may have been someone in Gaius’s congregation whom John wanted Gaius to support as a leader rather than Diotrephes, or he may have been the person who carried this letter to Gaius and John was introducing him to Gaius. If so, he was part of the same group that had come to John; they would be traveling back to where Gaius was and then traveling farther on.
How should the title of this book be translated?
Translators may choose to call this book by its traditional title, “3 John” or “Third John.” Or they may choose a different title, such as “The Third Letter from John” or “The Third Letter John Wrote”. (See: How to Translate Names)
Part 2: Important Religious and Cultural Concepts
What is hospitality?
Hospitality was an important concept in the ancient Near East. It was important to be friendly towards foreigners or outsiders and provide help to them if they needed it. In 2 John, John discouraged Christians from showing hospitality to false teachers. In 3 John, John encouraged Christians to show hospitality to faithful teachers.
Part 3: Important Translation Issues
How does the author use family relationships in his letter?
The author used the terms brother and children in a way that can be confusing. The Old Testament scriptures often used the term brothers to refer to fellow Jews. But in this letter, John used the word to refer to fellow Christians. Also, John called some believers his children. He meant this in a spiritual sense; these were believers whom he had taught to obey Christ.
John also used the term Gentile in a way that could be confusing. The scriptures often used the term Gentile to refer to people who are not Jews. But in this letter, John used the word to refer to those who did not believe in Jesus.
Which form of “you” occurs in this letter?
This is a personal letter from John to his friend Gaius. All instances of you and your in this letter refer to Gaius and are singular.
How can I translate verses 6-7 in a logical order?
Verse 7 provides the reason for the action that John recommends in verse 6. In some languages, it is more natural to state the reason first, and the action afterwards. If this would be more natural in your language, you can reverse the order of the sentences and then combine the verse numbers. (See: Verse Bridges)
For the ULT, reversing the sentences would look like this:
6-7 who have attested your love before the church. Because they went out for the sake of the name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles, you will do well to send them on worthily of God.
3 John 1
3 John 1:1
The elder
Quote: ὁ πρεσβύτερος (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
John assumes that Gaius will know who he is when he calls himself The elder. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could make John’s name explicit. (See the Introduction to 3 John for a discussion of how to translate the term elder.) Alternate translation: “I, John the elder, am writing”
to … Gaius
Quote: Γαΐῳ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Gaius is the name of 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 1:3
For
Quote: γὰρ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result
John is using word translated as For to introduce the reason for what he said at the end of the previous verse. Use a connector in your language that makes this clear. Alternate translation: “I know that your soul prospers because”
brothers
Quote: 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: “fellow believers”
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”
to … 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. The UST models one way to do this.
3 John 1:4
I have no greater joy
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”
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
the brothers
Quote: 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: “other believers”
3 John 1:6
your love
Quote: σου τῇ ἀγάπῃ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of love, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “that you love them”
to send on
Quote: προπέμψας (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
Here, to send on is an idiom that means to provide people with what they need for a 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 with what they need for their 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 create a verse bridge in order to combine verses 6 and 7, as described in the Introduction to 3 John. It may be helpful to begin a new sentence here. Alternate translation: “Because they went out for the sake of the name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles, you will do well to send them on in a manner worthy of God”
3 John 1:7
for the sake of the name
Quote: ὑπὲρ & τοῦ ὀνόματος (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
John is referring specifically to the name of Jesus. He is using the term name by association to mean Jesus himself. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “to tell people about Jesus”
accepting nothing from the Gentiles
Quote: μηδὲν λαμβάνοντες ἀπὸ τῶν ἐθνικῶν (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
John assumes that Gaius will know what he means by receiving nothing from the Gentiles. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate that explicitly. This could mean: (1) that the traveling believers had resolved not to accept any help from unbelievers. Alternate translation: “and they have resolved not to accept any help from unbelievers” (2) that people who did not believe in Jesus would not help these traveling believers. Alternate translation: “and no unbelievers are assisting them”
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
John is using the word translated as Therefore to introduce the result that should follow from the reason he gave at the end of the previous verse. Because such ones are accepting nothing from “the Gentiles” (verse 7), believers ought to help them. Use a connector in your language that makes this relationship clear. Alternate translation: “This is why”
we ourselves ought to welcome
Quote: ἡμεῖς & ὀφείλομεν ὑπολαμβάνειν (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
John is stating the pronoun we, whose meaning is already present in the verb translated ought, to emphasize it. If your language can state implied pronouns explicitly for emphasis, you may want to use that construction here in your translation. Other languages may have other ways of bringing out this emphasis. The ULT does so by using the intensive pronoun ourselves. Alternate translation: “we certainly should welcome”
we ourselves ought
Quote: ἡμεῖς & ὀφείλομεν (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive
John is using the words translated as we and ourselves to refer to Gaius, himself, and all believers. So use the inclusive forms of those words if your language marks that distinction.
to welcome
Quote: ὑπολαμβάνειν (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
John assumes that Gaius will know that when he tells him to support these believers, he means that Gaius should provide hospitality, including giving them 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 provide for”
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 supporting such ones as the traveling teachers. Use a natural way in your language that makes it clear that this is a purpose. Alternate translation: “and in this way”
so that we may become fellow workers with 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 with. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “so that we can cooperate with them in announcing God’s truth to people”
with the truth
Quote: τῇ ἀληθείᾳ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
John is using the term truth to represent something or someone associated with the truth. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or state the meaning plainly. This could mean: (1) the true message from God. Alternate translation: “God’s true message” (2) God himself, who is Truth. Alternate translation: “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 is the name of 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”
does not receive us
Quote: οὐκ ἐπιδέχεται ἡμᾶς (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
John is using the word us to represent someone or something associated with himself and those with him. This could mean: (1) that Diotrephes opposes providing hospitality and support to the traveling believers whom John endorses. (The word translated receive in this verse is the same one as in the phrase “he does not receive the brothers” in the next verse.) Alternate translation: “opposes helping these traveling believers” (2) that Diotrephes does not accept John’s authority and so will not do what he says. Alternate translation: “rejects our instructions”
us
Quote: ἡμᾶς (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive
Here the word us refers to John and those with him but not to Gaius, so use the exclusive form of that word in your translation if your language marks that distinction.
3 John 1:10
Because of this
Quote: διὰ τοῦτο (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result
Because of this indicates that what follows is a result of what came before. Because Diotrephes “does not receive” John and those with him (verse 9), John will expose his evil works. Use a natural way 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/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”
I come
Quote: 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: “I go to you”
accusing us with evil words
Quote: λόγοις πονηροῖς φλυαρῶν ἡμᾶς (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
John is using the term words to mean what Diotrephes has been saying by using words. These words are an example of the works that he is doing. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “slandering us maliciously”
not being satisfied with these things
Quote: μὴ ἀρκούμενος ἐπὶ τούτοις (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “even these things do not satisfy him. In addition”
the brothers
Quote: 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: “these fellow believers”
and he stops the ones willing
Quote: καὶ τοὺς βουλομένους κωλύει (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 can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “and he stops the ones who are willing to receive the believers”
3 John 1:11
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 imitate good things”
but the good
Quote: ἀλλὰ τὸ ἀγαθόν (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 can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. 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
John is using the word seen to mean “believed in” or “experienced.” If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “has not experienced God” or “has not believed in God”
3 John 1:12
To Demetrius it has been attested 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 attest to Demetrius” or “Everyone praises Demetrius as a good person”
To Demetrius
Quote: Δημητρίῳ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Demetrius is the name of a man.
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 those who know him”
and by the truth itself
Quote: καὶ ὑπὸ αὐτῆς τῆς ἀληθείας (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 can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “and he has been attested to by the truth itself”
by the truth itself
Quote: 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: “by the way he truly obeys Jesus”
by the truth itself
Quote: ὑπὸ αὐτῆς τῆς ἀληθείας (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification
John is speaking of the truth as if it were a living thing that could testify that Demetrius is a good person. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “by his right way of living”
we ourselves also attest
Quote: καὶ ἡμεῖς & μαρτυροῦμεν (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
For emphasis, John is stating the pronoun we, whose meaning is already present in the verb translated attest. If your language can state implied pronouns explicitly for emphasis, you may want to use that construction here in your translation. Other languages may have other ways of bringing out this emphasis. The ULT does so by using the intensive pronoun ourselves. Alternate translation: “we too firmly attest”
we ourselves … attest, … our
Quote: ἡμεῖς & μαρτυροῦμεν & ἡμῶν (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive
Here the words we ourselves and our refer to John and those with him but 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
with ink and pen
Quote: διὰ μέλανος καὶ καλάμου (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
John is using something associated with a letter, the ink and pen he would use to write a letter, to represent the letter itself. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation, as in UST: “in a letter”
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”
Peace to you
Quote: εἰρήνη σοι (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of peace, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “May God make you peaceful”
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 by The friends in this instance, he means the believers who are with him. 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 when he says the friends in this instance, he is referring to the believers who are there with Gaius. 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”