Book Chapter Verse ID SupportReference OrigQuote Occurrence GLQuote OccurrenceNote 3JN front intro kwv9 0 # Introduction to 3 John
## Part 1: General Introduction

### Outline of the Book of 3 John

1. Introduction (1:1)
1. Encouragement and instructions to show hospitality (1:2-8)
1. Diotrephes and Demetrius (1:9-12)
1. 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: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/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.
3JN 1 1 rni7 figs-you 0 General Information: This is a personal letter from John to Gaius. All instances of “you” and “your” refer to Gaius and are singular. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-you]]) 3JN 1 1 w99t figs-explicit ὁ πρεσβύτερος 1 The elder 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: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) 3JN 1 1 lls6 translate-names Γαΐῳ 1 Gaius This is a fellow believer to whom John is writing this letter. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) 3JN 1 1 mp9w ὃν ἐγὼ ἀγαπῶ ἐν ἀληθείᾳ 1 whom I love in truth “whom I truly love” 3JN 1 2 v6dv περὶ πάντων…σε εὐοδοῦσθαι καὶ ὑγιαίνειν 1 all may go well with you and that you may be healthy “you may do well in all things and be healthy” 3JN 1 2 i269 καθὼς εὐοδοῦταί σου ἡ ψυχή 1 just as it is well with your soul “just as you are doing well spiritually” 3JN 1 3 b4zh ἐρχομένων ἀδελφῶν 1 brothers came “fellow believers came.” These people were probably all male. 3JN 1 3 y7q3 figs-metaphor σὺ ἐν ἀληθείᾳ περιπατεῖς 1 you walk in truth 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: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) 3JN 1 4 w79m figs-metaphor τὰ ἐμὰ τέκνα 1 my children 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: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) 3JN 1 5 jtc6 figs-inclusive 0 General Information: Here the word “we” refers to John and those with him, and possibly includes all believers. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-inclusive]]) 3JN 1 5 vl13 0 Connecting Statement: 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. 3JN 1 5 tmh1 ἀγαπητέ 1 Beloved Here this is used as a term of endearment for fellow believers. 3JN 1 5 gs6x πιστὸν ποιεῖς 1 you practice faithfulness “you are doing what is faithful to God” or “you are being loyal to God” 3JN 1 5 g4gz ὃ, ἐὰν ἐργάσῃ εἰς τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς καὶ τοῦτο ξένους 1 work for the brothers and for strangers “help fellow believers and those you do not know” 3JN 1 6 wzf6 οἳ ἐμαρτύρησάν σου τῇ ἀγάπῃ ἐνώπιον ἐκκλησίας 1 who have borne witness of your love in the presence of the church These words describe the “strangers” (verse 5). “strangers who have told the believers in the church about how you have loved them” 3JN 1 6 pb64 καλῶς ποιήσεις, προπέμψας 1 You do well to send them John is thanking Gaius for his normal practice of helping these believers. 3JN 1 7 d8y1 figs-metonymy γὰρ τοῦ ὀνόματος ἐξῆλθον 1 because it was for the sake of the name that they went out Here “the name” refers to Jesus. Alternate translation: “for they have gone out to tell people about Jesus” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) 3JN 1 7 yzc8 μηδὲν λαμβάνοντες 1 taking nothing receiving no gifts or help 3JN 1 7 hk3p τῶν ἐθνικῶν 1 the Gentiles Here “Gentiles” does not just mean people who are not Jewish. It implies people who do not trust in Jesus. 3JN 1 8 d2l7 ἵνα συνεργοὶ γινώμεθα τῇ ἀληθείᾳ 1 so that we will be fellow workers for the truth “so that we will cooperate with them in announcing God’s truth to people” 3JN 1 9 dp1v figs-exclusive 0 General Information: The word “us” refers to John and those with him and does not include Gaius. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive]]) 3JN 1 9 tm9q τῇ ἐκκλησίᾳ 1 congregation This refers to Gaius and the group of believers who met together to worship God. 3JN 1 9 cz9d translate-names Διοτρέφης 1 Diotrephes He was a member of the congregation. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) 3JN 1 9 s82w ὁ φιλοπρωτεύων αὐτῶν 1 who loves to be first among them “who loves to be the most important one among them” or “who loves to act as though he’s their leader” 3JN 1 10 f6qj λόγοις πονηροῖς φλυαρῶν ἡμᾶς 1 talking wicked nonsense against us “and how he says evil things about us that certainly are not true” 3JN 1 10 wi6a αὐτὸς ἐπιδέχεται τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς 1 refused to welcome the brothers “did not welcome the fellow believers” 3JN 1 10 it7p τοὺς βουλομένους κωλύει 1 stops those who want to welcome them “stops those who want to welcome the believers” 3JN 1 10 g98b ἐκ τῆς ἐκκλησίας ἐκβάλλει 1 puts them out of the church “he forces them to leave the congregation” 3JN 1 11 a16a figs-exclusive 0 General Information: Here “we” refers to John and those with him and does not include Gaius. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive]]) 3JN 1 11 a3z8 ἀγαπητέ 1 Beloved Here this is used as a term of endearment for fellow believers. See how you translated this in [3 John 1:5](../01/05.md). 3JN 1 11 pv24 μὴ μιμοῦ τὸ κακὸν 1 do not imitate what is evil “do not copy the evil things that people do” 3JN 1 11 sz2h figs-ellipsis ἀλλὰ τὸ ἀγαθόν 1 but what is good There are words left out but they are understood. Alternate translation: “but imitate the good things that people do” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]]) 3JN 1 11 cm8t ἐκ τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐστιν 1 is of God “belongs to God” 3JN 1 11 zan2 οὐχ ἑώρακεν τὸν Θεόν 1 has not seen God “does not belong to God” or “does not believe in God” 3JN 1 12 pl7i figs-activepassive Δημητρίῳ μεμαρτύρηται ὑπὸ πάντων 1 Demetrius is borne witness to by all 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: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]]) 3JN 1 12 m22h translate-names Δημητρίῳ 1 Demetrius This is probably a man whom John wants Gaius and the congregation to welcome when he comes to visit. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) 3JN 1 12 rad4 figs-personification ὑπὸ αὐτῆς τῆς ἀληθείας 1 by the truth itself “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: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-personification]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rpronouns]]) 3JN 1 12 s712 figs-ellipsis καὶ ἡμεῖς…μαρτυροῦμεν 1 We also bear witness What John is confirming is implied and can be made specific here. Alternate translation: “We also speak well of Demetrius” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]]) 3JN 1 13 v27c 0 General Information: This is the end of John’s letter to Gaius. He gives some final remarks and closes with a greeting. 3JN 1 13 am6k οὐ θέλω διὰ μέλανος καὶ καλάμου σοι γράφειν 1 I do not wish to write them to you with pen and ink 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. 3JN 1 14 r8i4 figs-idiom στόμα πρὸς στόμα 1 face to face “Face to face” here is an idiom, meaning “in person.” Alternate translation: “in person” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) 3JN 1 15 v8yj εἰρήνη σοι 1 May peace be with you “May God give you peace” 3JN 1 15 mhs1 ἀσπάζονταί σε οἱ φίλοι 1 The friends greet you “The friends here greet you” 3JN 1 15 lq8r ἀσπάζου τοὺς φίλους κατ’ ὄνομα 1 Greet our friends there by name “Greet each of the believers there for me”