3JN front intro kwv9 0 # Introduction to 3 John<br>## Part 1: General Introduction<br><br>#### Outline of the Book of 3 John<br><br>1. Introduction (1:1)<br>1. Encouragement and instructions to show hospitality (1:2-8)<br>1. Diotrephes and Demetrius (1:9-12)<br>1. Conclusion (1:13-14)<br><br>#### Who wrote the Book of 3 John?<br><br>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.<br><br>#### What is the Book of 3 John about?<br><br>John wrote this letter to a believer named Gaius. He instructed Gaius to be hospitable to fellow believers who were traveling through his area.<br><br>#### How should the title of this book be translated?<br><br>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]])<br><br>## Part 2: Important Religious and Cultural Concepts<br><br>#### What is hospitality?<br><br>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.<br><br>## Part 3: Important Translation Issues<br><br>#### How does the author use family relationships in his letter?<br><br>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.<br><br>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.<br>
3JN 01 01 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 01 01 w99t figs-explicit 0 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 01 01 lls6 translate-names 0 Gaius This is a fellow believer to whom John is writing this letter. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
3JN 01 01 mp9w 0 whom I love in truth "whom I truly love"
3JN 01 02 v6dv 0 all may go well with you and that you may be healthy "you may do well in all things and be healthy"
3JN 01 02 i269 0 just as it is well with your soul "just as you are doing well spiritually"
3JN 01 03 b4zh 0 brothers came "fellow believers came." These people were probably all male.
3JN 01 03 y7q3 figs-metaphor 0 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 01 04 w79m figs-metaphor 0 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 01 05 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 01 05 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 01 05 tmh1 0 Beloved Here this is used as a term of endearment for fellow believers.
3JN 01 05 gs6x 0 you practice faithfulness "you are doing what is faithful to God" or "you are being loyal to God"
3JN 01 05 g4gz 0 work for the brothers and for strangers "help fellow believers and those you do not know"
3JN 01 06 wzf6 0 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 01 06 pb64 0 You do well to send them John is thanking Gaius for his normal practice of helping these believers.
3JN 01 07 d8y1 figs-metonymy 0 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 01 07 yzc8 0 taking nothing receiving no gifts or help
3JN 01 07 hk3p 0 the Gentiles Here "Gentiles" does not just mean people who are not Jewish. It implies people who do not trust in Jesus.
3JN 01 08 d2l7 0 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 01 09 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 01 09 tm9q 0 congregation This refers to Gaius and the group of believers who met together to worship God.
3JN 01 09 cz9d translate-names 0 Diotrephes He was a member of the congregation. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
3JN 01 09 s82w 0 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 01 10 f6qj 0 talking wicked nonsense against us "and how he says evil things about us that certainly are not true"
3JN 01 10 wi6a 0 refused to welcome the brothers "did not welcome the fellow believers"
3JN 01 10 it7p 0 stops those who want to welcome them "stops those who want to welcome the believers"
3JN 01 10 g98b 0 puts them out of the church "he forces them to leave the congregation"
3JN 01 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 01 11 a3z8 0 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 01 11 pv24 0 do not imitate what is evil "do not copy the evil things that people do"
3JN 01 11 sz2h figs-ellipsis 0 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 01 11 cm8t 0 is of God "belongs to God"
3JN 01 11 zan2 0 has not seen God "does not belong to God" or "does not believe in God"
3JN 01 12 pl7i figs-activepassive 0 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 01 12 m22h translate-names 0 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 01 12 rad4 figs-personification 0 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 01 12 s712 figs-ellipsis 0 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 01 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 01 13 am6k 0 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 01 14 r8i4 figs-idiom 0 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 01 15 v8yj 0 May peace be with you "May God give you peace"
3JN 01 15 mhs1 0 The friends greet you "The friends here greet you"
3JN 01 15 lq8r 0 Greet our friends there by name "Greet each of the believers there for me"
See in Reader
