1.
The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.
2.
Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
3.
For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.
4.
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
5.
Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;
Charity to Christians is reckoned fidelity to Christ, being shown to them upon the Christian account, which is intimated to have been done by this pious person, who so kindly treated
the brethren, and strangers, i.e. even though they were strangers.
6.
Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well:
After a godly sort; i.e. after a manner (as the Greek expression is) worthy of God, viz. as becomes them who bear the name of God, as thou dost, or are intent upon his work, as they are; which latter notion is confirmed by what follows.
7.
Because that for his name's sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.
8.
We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.
9.
I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.
10.
Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.
11.
Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.
Follow not; Mη μιμου by following here he means imitation, i.e. the deformity of evil appearing in the practice of some, and the beauty of true goodness in others, (examples being given of both sorts, 3 John 1:9, and 3 John 1:12), he exhorts to decline the former, and imitate the other; and enforces the exhortation by the weightiest arguments.
He that doeth good; a doer of good, one made up of kindness and benignity (as the contest draws the sense to that special kind of goodness); αγαθοποιων and ο κακοποιων, signify doing well or ill, from a fixed, prevailing habit, 1 John 3:7,1 John 3:8.
Is of God; is allied to heaven, born of God, his offspring.
But he that doeth evil hath not seen God; an evil-doer, on the other hand, such a one as is a composition of spite, envy, and malice, is a mere stranger to him, hath not been, or known, or had to do with him.
12.
Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true.
Some eminent Christian, whom he could with confidence recommend as a pattern.
13.
I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee:
Having much more to say, as 2 John 1:12, he resolved on a more immediate, grateful, and effectual way of imparting and even impressing his sense, as the term, writing, is used in a greater latitude, Proverbs 3:3, and elsewhere.
14.
But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name.
Speak face to face; otoma prov stoma, viz. by oral conference, which he hoped ere long to have opportunity for. He concludes with the usual Christian salutations.