III John 1 · The Lantern

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

To the beloved Elder Gaius, whom I love in truth. It has been said in the preceding letter about such a greeting: and now to repeat explaining the same things over the flow would be excessive, "whom I love in truth." He loves in truth who loves with affectionate love according to the Lord: as has also been frequently stated above.

The elder to the beloved Gaius, etc. Who and what kind of person this Gaius was, is revealed in the course of the Epistle. Because clearly he accumulated good deeds in addition to the faith in Christ which he had received, and although he was not sufficient for preaching the word himself, he rejoiced to sustain those who did preach with his resources.

He loves in truth who loves according to the Lord.

Most beloved, concerning everything, I make it my prayer that you may benefit by advancing and succeeding in whatever may be to the benefit of your soul.

I was very glad when the brothers arrived, and when they offered testimony to the truth in you, that you are walking in the truth.

The truth of Gaius's life was seen in the perfection of his works. He was a man who went about without any guile in thought, word or deed. Instead of that, he followed the commandments of God to the best of his ability.

I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and bore witness to your truth, as you walk in the truth. "you walk in the truth." He walks in truth who walks in the righteous simplicity of the Gospel.

He who walks in the truth is one who walks according to the simplicity of the Gospel. By the word "walk" one must understand not the movement of feet, for such stepping motion from place to place is characteristic of every animal that has legs, but the orderly and sober progress in the strivings of the soul, which few achieve even among those who possess reason.

I have no greater grace than this, when I hear that my sons are walking in the truth.

Most beloved, you should act faithfully in whatever you do for the brothers, and those who are sojourners;

they have given testimony to your charity in the sight of the Church. You would do well to lead these ones worthily to God.

For they set out, on behalf of his name, accepting nothing from the unbelievers.

Therefore, we must accept such as these, in order that we may cooperate with the truth.

As it happens, I had written to the church. But Diotrephes, who loves to bear the highest rank among them, would not accept us.

This verse teaches us that we ought to bear the abuse of those who insult us with equanimity, but sometimes we have to protest it because if we do not do so, these people will corrupt the minds of those who might otherwise have heard something good about us.

I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, does not receive us. Therefore, if I come, I will bring to light the works he is doing, gossiping wickedly about us. And not content with that, he not only does not receive the brothers himself, but also forbids those who want to receive them and expels them from the congregation.

I would have written to the church, but he who loves to have the preeminence among them, etc. Diotrephes, it seems, was an arch-heretic of that time, someone proud and insolent, preferring to usurp the preeminence of knowledge by teaching new doctrines, rather than humbly listening to the commands of the ancient holy Church, which John preached.

Because of this, when I come, I will admonish his works which he does, babbling against us with malicious words. And as if this were not sufficient for him, he himself does not receive the brothers. And those who do receive them, he hinders, and he ejects them from the church.

He acts, talking against us with malicious words. It should be noted that we should not arouse the tongues of detractors by our fault, lest they perish, but we should equally bear those that are incited by their own malice, so that merit may increase for us; sometimes, however, we should also curb them, lest while they disseminate evil about us, they corrupt the hearts of the i…

If it is forbidden to repay evil for evil (Rom. 12:17), then how is the present threat of the Apostle to be explained? We answer: the commandment speaks of not repaying evil for evil to the one who sins against us, but when sin against us also causes harm to the faith, then the one committing such sin must be punished, just as Paul also brought evil upon Elymas, who was turning…

Most beloved, do not be willing to imitate what is evil; instead imitate what is good. Whoever does good is of God. Whoever does evil has not seen God.

And if I glance around at their examples-(examples) of some David heaping up marriages for himself even through sanguinary means, of some Solomon rich in wives as well as in other riches-you are bidden to "follow the better things; " and you have withal Joseph but once wedded, and on this score I venture to say better than his father; you have Moses, the intimate eye-witness of…

Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God. "do not imitate what is evil." Since there is no unity of light with darkness, nor any unity between Christ and Belial (2 Cor.

Since there is nothing in common between light and darkness, no agreement between Christ and Belial (2 Cor. 6:14–15), he who is enlightened by the knowledge of Christ must not, through imitation of the ungodly, merge with darkness, that is, with their abominable deeds.

Testimony is being given for Demetrius by everyone, and by the truth itself. And we also offer testimony. And you know that our testimony is true.

I had many things to write to you, but I am not willing, through ink and pen, to write to you.

Yet I hope to see you soon, and then we will speak face to face. Peace to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.

III John1