3 John 1

3 John · Chapter 1

3 John 1:6

1The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.2Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.3For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.4I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.5Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;6Which 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:7Because that for his name’s sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.8We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.9I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.10Wherefore, 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.11Beloved, 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.12Demetrius 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.13I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee:14But 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.

King James Version (1769)

Other translations

VerseKJVBSBASV
6Which 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:They have testified to the church about your love. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God.who bare witness to thy love before the church: whom thou wilt do well to set forward on their journey worthily of God:

In context

AI-assisted, sourced

The elder praises Gaius for his faithful care of travelling believers, even strangers (1:5). Those travellers have told the church about Gaius's love. Now the elder asks him to send them on their next journey in a way worthy of God. 3 John 1:53 John 1:6Strong's G4311Strong's G0516

Speaking"The elder," the unnamed writer of 2 and 3 John. Early Christian tradition identifies him as John the apostle. 3 John 1:13 John overview

ToGaius, a believer the elder loves and counts among his children in the faith. 3 John 1:13 John 1:43 John overview

Also involvedThe travelling brethren and strangers Gaius has hosted. They went out for Christ's name and took nothing from the Gentiles. 3 John 1:53 John 1:73 John overview

The travellers have testified before the church about Gaius's love. The elder says Gaius will do well to help them on their way, supplying what they need for the next stage, "after a godly sort," that is, worthily of God. 3 John 1:6Strong's G3140Strong's G0026Strong's G4311Strong's G0516Titus 3:13

The letter does not name a place. Gaius lived near a church the elder had written to, likely in the province of Asia. Early tradition places John's last years in Ephesus. 3 John overview3 John 1:9

ACHAIAASIAGALATIAPHRYGIAAegean SeaEphesusPatmosSmyrnaPergamumThyatiraSardisPhiladelphiaLaodicea

The eventsTravelling Christian workers had visited Gaius, then reported his love to the church. The text does not give the exact time. 3 John 1:53 John 1:63 John overview

WrittenTraditional: about AD 85-95, near the time of 1 and 2 John. Scholarly: most also place it in the late first century, though some think the elder was a church leader other than the apostle. 3 John overview

HereThe elder commends Gaius's hospitality and urges him to keep supporting gospel workers. This stands in contrast to Diotrephes, who refused to receive the brethren and cast out those who did. 3 John overview3 John 1:83 John 1:10

In the whole of ScriptureSending believers on their way was a common practice in the early church. Titus is told to bring Zenas and Apollos on their journey diligently, and churches brought travelling believers on their way (Acts 15:3; 21:5). Titus 3:13Acts 15:3Acts 21:5Strong's G4311

For readersSupporting those who carry the gospel makes believers "fellowhelpers to the truth." Such help should be given in a manner worthy of God, as believers are called to walk worthy of God. 3 John 1:81 Thessalonians 2:12Colossians 1:10

  • bring forward on their journeyπροπέμπω
    Greek · propempō · G4311

    The word means to set forward on a journey or escort. It is used of churches sending believers on their way (Acts 15:3; Titus 3:13), so it points to practical help for the next stage of travel, not just a farewell. Strong's G4311Acts 15:3Titus 3:13

  • after a godly sort (worthily)ἀξίως
    Greek · axiōs · G0516

    The word means "worthily." The same phrase, worthily of God, appears in 1 Thessalonians 2:12, so the standard for Gaius's help is what fits God himself. Strong's G05161 Thessalonians 2:12Colossians 1:10

  • charity (love)ἀγάπη
    Greek · agapē · G0026

    The word is agapē, love or goodwill, used of believers' love for one another. The "charity" here is Gaius's love shown in hospitality, not merely giving alms. Strong's G00263 John 1:5

Takeaway

Faithful love shows itself in practical care for those serving Christ. That care should send them on their way as God himself would be honored. 3 John 1:53 John 1:63 John 1:8Strong's G0516

Drafted by AI from the Scripture and data shown under “Show sources,” then checked automatically and by a second AI pass. Updated 2026-10-23.

The world around the text

Behind this verse

Travelling teachers
Christian teachers and messengers moved between cities and lodged with believers. An early church manual, the Didache, tells churches to welcome a travelling teacher who teaches the truth, but says one who stays three days, or asks for money, is a false prophet. Acts 18:27Romans 16:1-2Didache 11.1-6

About AD 85-95. Roman emperor: Domitian (AD 81-96). Where early tradition places John's last years. The greatest city of the province of Asia, on the west coast of today's Turkey.

Who ruled
  • Roman emperorDomitianAD 81-96

    Son of Vespasian and brother of Titus. Suetonius says he had himself styled "our Lord and God" in official letters. Early Christian writers say John was exiled to Patmos in his reign. Suetonius, Domitian 13Revelation 1:9Irenaeus, Against Heresies 5.30.3Eusebius, Church History 3.18

  • Roman emperorsNerva and TrajanAD 96-98, 98-117

    After Domitian was murdered in AD 96 the Senate chose the elderly Nerva, who adopted the general Trajan. Early tradition says John lived on in Ephesus into Trajan's reign. Suetonius, Domitian 14-17Cassius Dio, Roman History 68.1-4Irenaeus, Against Heresies 2.22.5

  • Governor of the province of AsiaThe proconsul of AsiaOne-year terms

    Asia was governed by a proconsul appointed for a year at a time, who heard cases in its leading cities, Ephesus among them. Acts 19:38Strabo, Geography 17.3.25

  • King of ParthiaPacorus IIc. AD 78-110

    Ruler of the Parthian empire beyond the Euphrates, Rome's great rival in the east, at peace with Rome through these years. Cassius Dio, Roman History 68.17

What was happening, AD 70 to AD 96
  1. AD 70
    WarJerusalem and its temple destroyed

    Roman armies under Titus took Jerusalem after a long siege and burned the temple, as Jesus had foretold. Josephus, Jewish War 6.249-287Luke 21:5-6Luke 21:20-24

  2. August AD 79
    DisasterVesuvius buries Pompeii

    The eruption of Vesuvius buried Pompeii and Herculaneum. Pliny the Younger watched it from across the bay; his uncle Pliny the Elder died trying to rescue people. Pliny the Younger, Letters 6.16, 6.20

  3. AD 80
    BuildingThe Colosseum opens in Rome

    Titus opened the great amphitheater begun by his father Vespasian with 100 days of games. Suetonius, Titus 7.3Cassius Dio, Roman History 66.25

  4. AD 83 or 84
    WarRome's furthest push into Britain

    The governor Agricola defeated the Caledonians at Mons Graupius in what is now Scotland, and his fleet sailed around the north of Britain. Tacitus, Agricola 29-38

  5. AD 85-89
    WarWar with the Dacians

    The Dacians crossed the Danube and killed a Roman governor. After years of fighting, Domitian made a peace that paid their king Decebalus a yearly subsidy. Suetonius, Domitian 6Cassius Dio, Roman History 67.6-7

  6. c. AD 89
    BuildingEphesus builds a temple to the emperors

    Ephesus won the honor of a provincial temple for the worship of the emperors, the Temple of the Sebastoi, with a colossal statue of an emperor. Its remains stand in the city's upper square. Temple of the Sebastoi, Ephesus (excavated remains and inscriptions)

  7. AD 93-94
    DiscoveryJosephus finishes his history of the Jews

    In Rome the Jewish historian Josephus completed his Antiquities of the Jews, which mentions John the Baptist, James the brother of Jesus, and Jesus himself. Josephus, Antiquities 20.267Josephus, Antiquities 18.116-119, 20.200

  8. c. AD 95
    The churchJohn on Patmos

    John was on the island of Patmos "for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ" when he received the Revelation. Early writers date this to the end of Domitian's reign. Revelation 1:9Irenaeus, Against Heresies 5.30.3

  9. c. AD 96
    The churchClement of Rome writes to Corinth

    The church at Rome sent a letter, traditionally by Clement, to settle a dispute at Corinth where younger members had removed their elders. It is one of the earliest Christian writings outside the New Testament. 1 Clement 1, 44, 47

  10. September AD 96
    RulersDomitian is murdered

    Domitian was killed in a palace plot. The Senate condemned his memory and chose Nerva as emperor. Suetonius, Domitian 14-17, 23

The full picture: places, culture and daily life. Scripture first, then ancient writers on these years (Suetonius, Tacitus, Cassius Dio, Josephus, Pliny, Irenaeus, Eusebius). The letter names no place, so the setting follows early tradition. Drafted by Claude and not yet reviewed by a person.

Original Greek words

EnglishGreekSay itStrong'sMeaning
whoοἳhoiG3739
which

ὅς (hos, hē) ὅς, ἥ, ὅ, the postpositive article (ἄρθρον ὑποτακτικόν). I. As demonstr. pron. = οὗτος, ὅδε, this, that, also for αὐτός, chiefly in nom.: ὅς δέ, but he (cf. ἦ δὲ ὅς, frequently in Plat.), Mrk.15:23, Jhn.5:11; ὃς μὲν . . . ὃς δέ, the one . . . the other, Mat.21:35, 22:5, 25:15, Luk.23:33, Act.27:14, Rom.14:5, 1Co.11:21, 2Co.2:18, Ju 22; neut., ὃ μὲν . . . ὃ δέ, the one . . . the other, some . . . some, Mat.13:8, 23, Rom.9:21; ὃς (ὃ) μὲν . . . (ἄλλος (ἄλλο)) . . . ἕτερος, Mrk.4:4, Luk.8:5, 1Co.12:8-10; οὓς μέν, absol., 1Co.12:28; ὃς μὲν . . . ὁ δέ, Rom.14:2. …

testifiedἐμαρτύρησάνemarturēsanG3140
to testify

μαρτυρέω (martureō) μαρτυρέω, -ῶ (μάρτυς), [in LXX chiefly for עֵד (עֵד (Gen.31:47-48, al.), also for עוּד hi. (Gen.43:3, La 2:13), עָנָה (Num.35:30) ;] (a) prop., to be a witness, bear witness, testify: absol. (find., al.), Jhn.15:27, Act.26:5; parenthetical (Bl., § 79, 7; MM, xvi), 2Co.8:3; with dative of person(s) (comm. and incomm.; El., § 37, 2), Act.22:5, Heb.10:15; id. before ὅτι, Mat.23:31, Rom.10:2, al.; accusative and inf., Act.10:43; with accusative of thing(s) (cl.), Jhn.3:11, Rev.22:16, 20; with accusative cogn., before περί, Jhn.5:32, 1Jn.5:10; with dative of thing(s), Jhn.5:33, Act.14:3, al.; befo …

of yourσουsouG4771
you

σέ (se) αὐτός, -ή, -ό, determinative pron., in late Gk. much more frequently than in cl. (WM, 178f.; Jannaris, HGG, §1399). 1. Emphatic (so always in nom. exc. when preceded by the art., see infr., iii); (1) self (ipse), expressing opposition, distinction, exclusion, etc., αὐ. ἐκχυθήσεται, Luk.5:37; αὐ. ἐγινώσκεν, Jhn.2:25; αὐ.ὑμεῖς, Jhn.3:28; καὶ αὐ. ἐγώ, Rom.15:14; αὐ. Ἰησοῦς, Jhn.2:24; αὐ. καὶ οἱ μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ, Mrk.2:25; ὑμεῖς αὐ., Mrk.6:31; esp. (as freq in cl.) αὐ. ὁ, Mat.3:4, Mrk.6:17, Jhn.16:27, 1Th.3:11, al.; in late Gk., sometimes weakened, ἐν αὐτῇ τ. ὥρᾳ, in that hour, Luk.10:21 (M, Pr., 91; …

loveἀγάπῃagapēG0026
love

ἀγάπη (agapē) ἀγάπη, -ης, ἡ [in LXX for אַהֲבָה, which is also rendered by ἀγάπησις and φιλία ;] love, goodwill, esteem. Outside of bibl. and eccl. books, there is no clear instance (with Deiss., LAE, 18:4, 70:2, cf. the same writer in Constr. Quar., ii, 4; and with MM, VGT, see word, cf. Dr. Moulton in Exp. Times, xxvi, 3, 139). In NT, like ἀγαπάω, -ῶ, 1. Of men's love: (a) to one another, Jhn.13:35; (b) to God, 1Jn.2:5. 2. Of divine love; (a) God's love: to men, Rom.5:8; to Christ, Jhn.17:26; (b) Christ's love to men: Rom.8:35. 3. In pl., love feasts: Ju 12 (DB, iii, 157). …

beforeἐνώπιονenōpionG1799
before

ἐνώπιον (enōpion) ἐνώπιος, -ον (ὤψ), [in LXX for פָּנִים, etc. ;] face to face, in sight (Theocr.; ἄρτοι ἐ., Exo.25:29): neut., ἐνώπιον, in vernacular, with force of prep. with genitive [in LXX for פָּנִים, עַיִן, etc., cf. Dalman, Words, 31 f., 209 f., and Deiss., BS., 213], in NT, most frequently in Lk, Ac, Re, never in Mt, Mk, before, in the presence of: Luk.1:19 Luk.4:7, Act.4:10 Act.6:5, Rev.1:4 2:14, al.; esp. ἐ. Κυρίου (θεοῦ), in the sight of God, or with God as witness or as judge, Rom.14:22, 1Co.1:29, 1Ti.2:3, Jas.4:10, 1Pe.3:4, al. (AS)

[the] church,ἐκκλησίας,ekklēsiasG1577
assembly

ἐκκλησία (ekklēsia) ἐκκλησία, -ας, ἡ (ἐκ-καλέω), [in LXX chiefly for קָהָל, otherwise for one of its cogn. forms ;] 1. prop., an assembly of citizens regularly convened (in Thuc., ii, 22, opposite to σύλλογος, a concourse): Act.19:32, 39 41. 2. In LXX of the assembly, congregation, community of Israel (Deu.4:10 23:2, al.): Act.7:38, Heb.2:12" (LXX) . 3. NT, esp. of an assembly or company of Christians, a (the) church; (a) of gatherings for worship: 1Co.11:18 14:19, 34 35; …

whomοὓςhousG3739
which

ὅς (hos, hē) ὅς, ἥ, ὅ, the postpositive article (ἄρθρον ὑποτακτικόν). I. As demonstr. pron. = οὗτος, ὅδε, this, that, also for αὐτός, chiefly in nom.: ὅς δέ, but he (cf. ἦ δὲ ὅς, frequently in Plat.), Mrk.15:23, Jhn.5:11; ὃς μὲν . . . ὃς δέ, the one . . . the other, Mat.21:35, 22:5, 25:15, Luk.23:33, Act.27:14, Rom.14:5, 1Co.11:21, 2Co.2:18, Ju 22; neut., ὃ μὲν . . . ὃ δέ, the one . . . the other, some . . . some, Mat.13:8, 23, Rom.9:21; ὃς (ὃ) μὲν . . . (ἄλλος (ἄλλο)) . . . ἕτερος, Mrk.4:4, Luk.8:5, 1Co.12:8-10; οὓς μέν, absol., 1Co.12:28; ὃς μὲν . . . ὁ δέ, Rom.14:2. …

wellκαλῶςkalōsG2573
well

καλῶς (kalōs) καλῶς adv. (καλός), [in LXX for parts and derivatives of יָטַב ;] finely, rightly, well: Luk.6:48, 1Co.14:17, Gal.4:17 5:7, Jas.2:3; λέγειν, λαλεῖν, etc., Mat.15:7, Mrk.7:6 12:28, Luk.6:26 20:39, Jhn.4:17 8:48 13:13 18:23, Act.28:25; as exclamation of approval, Mrk.12:32, Rom.11:20; κ. ποιεῖν, Mat.12:12, 1Co.7:37-38 Jas.2:8, 19; with dative of person(s) (cl. accusative; WM, § 32, 1 β), Luk.6:27; with accusative of thing(s), Mrk.7:37; with ptcp., Act.10:33 (M, Pr., 131), Php.4:14, 2Pe.1:19, 3Jn.6; προϊστάναι (-ασθαι), 1Ti.3:4 3:12 5:17; διακονεῖν, 1Ti.3:13; ἀνατρέφεσθαι, Heb.13:18; ironically …

you will doποιήσειςpoiēseisG4160G
to do/make: do

ποιέω (poieō) ποιέω, -ῶ, [in LXX for a great variety of words, but chiefly for עשׂה ;] 1. to make, produce, create, cause: with accusative of thing(s), Mat.17:4, Mrk.9:5, Jhn.9:11, Act.9:39, Rom.9:20, al.; of God as Creator (with accusative of person(s) also), Mat.19:4, Mrk.10:6, Luk.11:40, Act.4:24, Heb.1:2, al.; like Heb. עשׂה, absol. = ἐργάζομαι, to work, Mat.20:12 (cf. Rut.2:19; so AV, but see infr.), Rev.13:5, R, mg. (but see infr.); σκάνδαλα, Rom.16:17; εἰρεήνην, Eph.2:15, Jas.3:18; ἐπίστασιν, Act.24:12; συστροφήν, Act.23:12; with accusative of thing(s) and dative of person(s), Luk.1:68, Act.15:3; w …

having set forwardπροπέμψαςpropempsasG4311
to help on the way

προπέμπω (propempō) προ-πέμπω [in LXX: I Est.4:47, Jdth.10:15, Wis.19:2, 1Ma.12:4, 2Ma.6:23 * ;] 1. to send before, send forth. 2. to set forward on a journey, escort: with accusative of person(s), 1Co.16:11, Tit.3:13, 3Jn.6; before εἰς, Act.20:38; οὗ, 1Co.16:6; ἕως, Act.21:5; pass., Act.15:3, Rom.15:24, 2Co.1:16.† (AS)

worthilyἀξίωςaxiōsG0516
appropriately

ἀξίως (axiōs) ἀξίως, adv. [in LXX: Wis.7:15 16:1, Sir.14:11 * ;] worthily: Rom.16:2, Eph.4:1, Php.1:27; with genitive (frequently in Inscr.; Deiss., BS, 248; MM, VGT, 51), ἀ. τ. Κυρίου, Col.1:10; τ. θεοῦ 1Th.2:12, 3Jn.6.† (AS)

of God.θεοῦ.theouG2316
God

θεός (theos) θεός, -οῦ, ὁ, ἡ (Act.19:37 only; see M, Pr., 60, 244), late voc., θεέ (Mat.27:46; cf. Deu.3:24, al.), [in LXX chiefly for אֱלֹהִים, also for אֵל and other cognate forms, יהוה, etc. ;] a god or deity, God. 1. In polytheistic sense, a god or deity: Act.28:6, 1Co.8:4, 2Th.2:4, al.; pl., Ac. 14:11 19:26, Gal.4:8, al. 2. Of the one true God; …

Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.