1The elder,
2Beloved, I pray that in every way you may prosper and enjoy good health, as your soul also prospers.
3For I was overjoyed when the brothers came and testified about your devotion to the truth, in which you continue to walk.
4I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
5Beloved, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers, and especially since they are strangers to you.
6They have testified to the church about your love. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God.
7For they went out on behalf of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles.
8Therefore we ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers for the truth.
9I have written to the church about this, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not accept our instruction.
10So if I come, I will call attention to his malicious slander against us. And unsatisfied with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers and forbids those who want to do so, even putting them out of the church.
11Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God.
12Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself. We also testify for him, and you know that our testimony is true.
13I have many things to write to you, but I would prefer not to do so with pen and ink.
14Instead, I hope to see you soon and speak with you face to face.
Understand This
3 John 1, explained
What 3 John 1 is saying
The elder writes to his beloved Gaius, commending his faithfulness and hospitality toward itinerant missionaries who 'went out for the sake of the Name.' In contrast, Diotrephes is censured for loving preeminence (philoprōteuōn), refusing the elder's authority, spreading malicious accusations, and excommunicating those who welcome the missionaries. Demetrius receives commendation from all and from the truth itself. The letter models the Johannine test: imitate good, not evil.
The background behind it
This personal letter reveals the ecclesiastical politics of the early church, where house-church networks and itinerant ministry created complex authority dynamics. Diotrephes may represent an emerging form of monarchical episcopacy in conflict with the older charismatic-apostolic authority represented by the elder. The 'Name' (onoma) likely refers to Christ, for whose sake the missionaries received no support from Gentiles.
Themes running underneath
The brief letter crystallizes the Johannine ethical test: 'the one who does good is from God; the one who does evil has not seen God.' The contrast between Gaius's generous hospitality and Diotrephes's self-aggrandizing exclusion illustrates how character reveals spiritual reality. Support for gospel workers is framed as partnership (synergoi) in the truth.
Why it still matters
Church leadership that prioritizes personal status over the community's mission and excludes those who serve Christ is condemned in the strongest terms. The letter provides a model for navigating institutional conflict while maintaining faithfulness and generosity.
Scripture text: Berean Standard Bible — used by permission, Bible Hub.