unfoldingWord_en_tn/en_tn_65-3JN.tsv

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23JNfrontintrokwv90# 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>
33JN11rni7figs-you0General 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]])
43JN11w99tfigs-explicitὁ πρεσβύτερος1The elderThis 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]])
53JN11lls6translate-namesΓαΐῳ1GaiusThis is a fellow believer to whom John is writing this letter. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
63JN11mp9wὃν ἐγὼ ἀγαπῶ ἐν ἀληθείᾳ1whom I love in truth“whom I truly love”
73JN12v6dvπερὶ πάντων…σε εὐοδοῦσθαι καὶ ὑγιαίνειν1all may go well with you and that you may be healthy“you may do well in all things and be healthy”
83JN12i269καθὼς εὐοδοῦταί σου ἡ ψυχή1just as it is well with your soul“just as you are doing well spiritually”
93JN13b4zhἐρχομένων ἀδελφῶν1brothers came“fellow believers came.” These people were probably all male.
103JN13y7q3figs-metaphorσὺ ἐν ἀληθείᾳ περιπατεῖς1you walk in truthWalking on a path is a metaphor for how a person lives his life. Alternate translation: “you are living your life according to Gods truth” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
113JN14w79mfigs-metaphorτὰ ἐμὰ τέκνα1my childrenJohn 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]])
123JN15jtc6figs-inclusive0General 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]])
133JN15vl130Connecting Statement:Johns 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.
143JN15tmh1ἀγαπητέ1BelovedHere this is used as a term of endearment for fellow believers.
153JN15gs6xπιστὸν ποιεῖς1you practice faithfulness“you are doing what is faithful to God” or “you are being loyal to God”
163JN15g4gzὃ, ἐὰν ἐργάσῃ εἰς τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς καὶ τοῦτο ξένους1work for the brothers and for strangers“help fellow believers and those you do not know”
173JN16wzf6οἳ ἐμαρτύρησάν σου τῇ ἀγάπῃ ἐνώπιον ἐκκλησίας1who have borne witness of your love in the presence of the churchThese words describe the “strangers” (verse 5). “strangers who have told the believers in the church about how you have loved them”
183JN16pb64καλῶς ποιήσεις, προπέμψας1You do well to send themJohn is thanking Gaius for his normal practice of helping these believers.
193JN17d8y1figs-metonymyγὰρ τοῦ ὀνόματος ἐξῆλθον1because it was for the sake of the name that they went outHere “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]])
203JN17yzc8μηδὲν λαμβάνοντες1taking nothingreceiving no gifts or help
213JN17hk3pτῶν ἐθνικῶν1the GentilesHere “Gentiles” does not just mean people who are not Jewish. It implies people who do not trust in Jesus.
223JN18d2l7ἵνα συνεργοὶ γινώμεθα τῇ ἀληθείᾳ1so that we will be fellow workers for the truth“so that we will cooperate with them in announcing Gods truth to people”
233JN19dp1vfigs-exclusive0General Information:The word “us” refers to John and those with him and does not include Gaius. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive]])
243JN19tm9qτῇ ἐκκλησίᾳ1congregationThis refers to Gaius and the group of believers who met together to worship God.
253JN19cz9dtranslate-namesΔιοτρέφης1DiotrephesHe was a member of the congregation. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
263JN19s82wὁ φιλοπρωτεύων αὐτῶν1who loves to be first among them“who loves to be the most important one among them” or “who loves to act as though hes their leader”
273JN110f6qjλόγοις πονηροῖς φλυαρῶν ἡμᾶς1talking wicked nonsense against us“and how he says evil things about us that certainly are not true”
283JN110wi6aαὐτὸς ἐπιδέχεται τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς1refused to welcome the brothers“did not welcome the fellow believers”
293JN110it7pτοὺς βουλομένους κωλύει1stops those who want to welcome them“stops those who want to welcome the believers”
303JN110g98bἐκ τῆς ἐκκλησίας ἐκβάλλει1puts them out of the church“he forces them to leave the congregation”
313JN111a16afigs-exclusive0General Information:Here “we” refers to John and those with him and does not include Gaius. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive]])
323JN111a3z8ἀγαπητέ1BelovedHere this is used as a term of endearment for fellow believers. See how you translated this in [3 John 1:5](../01/05.md).
333JN111pv24μὴ μιμοῦ τὸ κακὸν1do not imitate what is evil“do not copy the evil things that people do”
343JN111sz2hfigs-ellipsisἀλλὰ τὸ ἀγαθόν1but what is goodThere 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]])
353JN111cm8tἐκ τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐστιν1is of God“belongs to God”
363JN111zan2οὐχ ἑώρακεν τὸν Θεόν1has not seen God“does not belong to God” or “does not believe in God”
373JN112pl7ifigs-activepassiveΔημητρίῳ μεμαρτύρηται ὑπὸ πάντων1Demetrius is borne witness to by allThis 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]])
383JN112m22htranslate-namesΔημητρίῳ1DemetriusThis 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]])
393JN112rad4figs-personificationὑπὸ αὐτῆς τῆς ἀληθείας1by 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]])
403JN112s712figs-ellipsisκαὶ ἡμεῖς…μαρτυροῦμεν1We also bear witnessWhat 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]])
413JN113v27c0General Information:This is the end of Johns letter to Gaius. He gives some final remarks and closes with a greeting.
423JN113am6kοὐ θέλω διὰ μέλανος καὶ καλάμου σοι γράφειν1I do not wish to write them to you with pen and inkJohn 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.
433JN114r8i4figs-idiomστόμα πρὸς στόμα1face to face“Face to face” here is an idiom, meaning “in person.” Alternate translation: “in person” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
443JN115v8yjεἰρήνη σοι1May peace be with you“May God give you peace”
453JN115mhs1ἀσπάζονταί σε οἱ φίλοι1The friends greet you“The friends here greet you”
463JN115lq8rἀσπάζου τοὺς φίλους κατ’ ὄνομα1Greet our friends there by name“Greet each of the believers there for me”