Fathers

3 John 1

Tap a verse to read the Fathers. Press and hold, then drag, to make a card.

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

About · Privacy · Credits · Support VRSZ

What the Fathers say

3 John 1:8

Eastern Fathers

Theophylact of Ohrid

"To receive" is used in the sense of "to take up," "to seize." By this the Apostle teaches us not to wait for the needy to come to us, but to run to meet them ourselves and entreat them to come to us, as Abraham and Lot did (Gen. 18:2–3; 19:1–2).

Commentary on 3 John ↗

Oecumenius

Therefore, we ought to receive such as these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth. "we ought to receive." ᾽Απολαμδάνειν is taken for ἀναλαμδάνεσθαι, that is, to receive as when it is said: "They received me like a lion ready for prey." (Ps. 17:12) Moreover, this instructs us not to wait for the needy until they come to us, but rather to run to and follow them: like Abraham and Lot. (Gen. 8)

Commentary on 3 John ↗

Western Saints

Gregory the Dialogist

Hence it is said to Gaius through John concerning certain traveling brothers: "For they went forth for the name of Christ, taking nothing from the Gentiles. We therefore ought to receive such persons, that we may be fellow workers for the truth." For he who provides temporal assistance to those who have spiritual gifts becomes a fellow worker in those very spiritual gifts. …

40 Homilies on the Gospels, Homily 20 ↗

Bede

Therefore, we ought to support such men, etc. The blessed John, who had left all things for Christ, aligns himself with the person of believing rich men, so that he might make them more eager to have compassion on the poor and strangers: nor should it be doubted that he could have truly said what we read Paul to have said: "You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. …

Commentary on the Catholic Epistles ↗