Beloved Gaius
Passage: 3 John 1:1-8
Gaius hosted traveling teachers.
Overview
'I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.' 'I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.' Support them 'that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth'.
Going deeper
Hospitality is partnership in the gospel.
Key verses (KJV)
- 3 John 1:2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
- 3 John 1:4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
- 3 John 1:8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.
From the commentaries
2. above all things—Greek, "concerning all things": so Alford: in all respects. But Wahl justifies English Version (compare 1Pe 4:8). Of course, since his soul's prosperity is presupposed, "above all things" does not imply that John wishes Gaius' bodily health above that of his soul, but as the first object to be desired next after spiritual health. I know you are prospering in the concerns of your soul. I wish you similar prosperity in your body. Perhaps John had heard from the brethren (3Jo 3) that Gaius was in bad health, and was tried in other ways (3Jo 10), to which the wish, 3Jo 2, refers. prosper—in general. be in health—in particular.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown, Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory (1871)
Verse 2 I wish above all things - Περι παντων ευχομαι· Above all things I pray that thou mayest prosper, and be in health, και ὑγιαινειν· to which one MS. adds εν αληθεια, which gives it a different meaning, viz., that thou mayest be sound in the truth. The prayer of St. John for Caius includes three particulars: 1. Health of body; 2. Health of soul; and 3. Prosperity in secular affairs. That thou mayest Prosper and be in Health, as thy Soul Prospereth. These three things, so necessary to the comfort of life, every Christian may in a certain measure expect, and for them every Christian is authorized to pray; and we should have more of all three if we devoutly prayed for them. ...
Adam Clarke, Adam Clarke's Commentary (1810-1826)
Verse 2. Beloved, I wish above all things. Marg., pray. The word used here commonly means in the New Testament to pray; but it is also employed to express a strong and earnest desire for anything, Ac 27:29; Ro 9:3; 2 Co 13:9. This is probably all that is implied here. The phrase rendered "above all things"—peri pantwn —would be more correctly rendered here "concerning, or in respect to all things;" and the idea is, that John wished earnestly that in all respects he might have the same kind of prosperity which his soul had. The common translation "above all things" would seem to mean that John valued health and outward prosperity more than he did anything else; that he wished that more than h
Albert Barnes, Barnes' Notes on the New Testament (1834-1885)
Application
- How can you be a 'fellowhelper'?
- What gives you the greatest joy?
- Who could you welcome?