English: unfoldingWord® Translation Notes

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3 John

3 John front

Introduction to 3 John

Part 1: General Introduction

Outline of the Book of 3 John
  1. Introduction (1:1)
  2. Encouragement and instructions to show hospitality (1:2-8)
  3. Diotrephes and Demetrius (1:9-12)
  4. Conclusion (1:13-14)
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.

What is the Book of 3 John about?

John wrote this letter to a believer named Gaius. He instructed Gaius to be hospitable to fellow believers who were traveling through his area.

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 clearer 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 scriptures often used the term “brothers” to refer to Jews. But in this letter, John used the word to refer to Christians. Also, John called some believers his “children.” These are believers he 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.

3 John 1

3 John 1:1

This is a personal letter from John to Gaius. All instances of “you” and “your” refer to Gaius and are singular. (See: Forms of You)

ὁ πρεσβύτερος

This refers to John, the apostle and disciple of Jesus. He refers to himself as “elder” either because of his old age or because he is a leader in the church. The name of the author can be made explicit: “I, John the elder, am writing.” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Γαΐῳ

This is a fellow believer to whom John is writing this letter. (See: How to Translate Names)

ὃν ἐγὼ ἀγαπῶ ἐν ἀληθείᾳ

“whom I truly love”

3 John 1:2

περὶ πάντων…σε εὐοδοῦσθαι καὶ ὑγιαίνειν

“you may do well in all things and be healthy”

καθὼς εὐοδοῦταί σου ἡ ψυχή

“just as you are doing well spiritually”

3 John 1:3

ἐρχομένων ἀδελφῶν

“fellow believers came.” These people were probably all male.

σὺ ἐν ἀληθείᾳ περιπατεῖς

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” (See: Metaphor)

3 John 1:4

τὰ ἐμὰ τέκνα

John speaks of those he taught to believe in Jesus as though they were his children. This emphasizes his love and concern for them. It could also be that he himself led them to the Lord. Alternate translation: “my spiritual children” (See: Metaphor)

3 John 1:5

Here the word “we” refers to John and those with him, and possibly includes all believers. (See: Inclusive and Exclusive “We”)

John’s purpose in writing this letter is to compliment Gaius in the way he took care of traveling Bible teachers; then he talks about two people, one evil and one good.

ἀγαπητέ

Here this is used as a term of endearment for fellow believers.

πιστὸν ποιεῖς

“you are doing what is faithful to God” or “you are being loyal to God”

ὃ, ἐὰν ἐργάσῃ εἰς τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς καὶ τοῦτο ξένους

“help fellow believers and those you do not know”

3 John 1:6

οἳ ἐμαρτύρησάν σου τῇ ἀγάπῃ ἐνώπιον ἐκκλησίας

These words describe the “strangers” (verse 5). “strangers who have told the believers in the church about how you have loved them”

καλῶς ποιήσεις, προπέμψας

John is thanking Gaius for his normal practice of helping these believers.

3 John 1:7

γὰρ τοῦ ὀνόματος ἐξῆλθον

Here “the name” refers to Jesus. Alternate translation: “for they have gone out to tell people about Jesus” (See: Metonymy)

μηδὲν λαμβάνοντες

receiving no gifts or help

τῶν ἐθνικῶν

Here “Gentiles” does not just mean people who are not Jewish. It implies people who do not trust in Jesus.

3 John 1:8

ἵνα συνεργοὶ γινώμεθα τῇ ἀληθείᾳ

“so that we will cooperate with them in announcing God’s truth to people”

3 John 1:9

The word “us” refers to John and those with him and does not include Gaius. (See: Exclusive and Inclusive 'We')

τῇ ἐκκλησίᾳ

This refers to Gaius and the group of believers who met together to worship God.

Διοτρέφης

He was a member of the congregation. (See: How to Translate Names)

ὁ φιλοπρωτεύων αὐτῶν

“who loves to be the most important one among them” or “who loves to act as though he’s their leader”

3 John 1:10

λόγοις πονηροῖς φλυαρῶν ἡμᾶς

“and how he says evil things about us that certainly are not true”

αὐτὸς ἐπιδέχεται τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς

“did not welcome the fellow believers”

τοὺς βουλομένους κωλύει

“stops those who want to welcome the believers”

ἐκ τῆς ἐκκλησίας ἐκβάλλει

“he forces them to leave the congregation”

3 John 1:11

Here “we” refers to John and those with him and does not include Gaius. (See: Exclusive and Inclusive 'We')

ἀγαπητέ

Here this is used as a term of endearment for fellow believers. See how you translated this in 3 John 1:5.

μὴ μιμοῦ τὸ κακὸν

“do not copy the evil things that people do”

ἀλλὰ τὸ ἀγαθόν

There are words left out but they are understood. Alternate translation: “but imitate the good things that people do” (See: Ellipsis)

ἐκ τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐστιν

“belongs to God”

οὐχ ἑώρακεν τὸν Θεόν

“does not belong to God” or “does not believe in God”

3 John 1:12

Δημητρίῳ μεμαρτύρηται ὑπὸ πάντων

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “All who know Demetrius bear witness of him” or “Every believer who knows Demetrius speaks well of him” (See: Active or Passive)

Δημητρίῳ

This is probably a man whom John wants Gaius and the congregation to welcome when he comes to visit. (See: How to Translate Names)

ὑπὸ αὐτῆς τῆς ἀληθείας

“the truth itself speaks well of him.” Here “truth” is described as a person speaking. Alternate translation: “everyone who knows the truth knows he is a good person” (See: Personification and Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information and Reflexive Pronouns)

καὶ ἡμεῖς…μαρτυροῦμεν

What John is confirming is implied and can be made specific here. Alternate translation: “We also speak well of Demetrius” (See: Ellipsis)

3 John 1:13

This is the end of John’s letter to Gaius. He gives some final remarks and closes with a greeting.

οὐ θέλω διὰ μέλανος καὶ καλάμου σοι γράφειν

John does not wish to write these other things at all. He is not saying that he would write them with something other than pen and ink.

3 John 1:14

στόμα πρὸς στόμα

“Face to face” here is an idiom, meaning “in person.” Alternate translation: “in person” (See: Idiom)

3 John 1:15

εἰρήνη σοι

“May God give you peace”

ἀσπάζονταί σε οἱ φίλοι

“The friends here greet you”

ἀσπάζου τοὺς φίλους κατ’ ὄνομα

“Greet each of the believers there for me”