A Paraphrase on the New Testament, 3 John
The Third Epiſtle of JOHN ('tis moſt likely the Apoſtle.)
1 THe elder unto the well beloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth. 2. Beloved, I wiſh above all things that thou mayeſt proſper, and be in health, even as thy ſoul proſpereth.
1, 2. My love to thee for the Truths ſake, which thou adhereſt to, maketh me wiſh earneſtly that, as thy Soul proſpereth, ſo may thy Bodily Health, for the ſervice of God and thy Soul.
3. For I rejoyced greatly when the brethren came and teſtified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkeſt in the truth.
3. Note 1. Soul-Mercies are the greateſt Mercies, and matters of greateſt joy for one another. 2. Good Reports of our Brethren is a duty tending to the comfort of Miniſters and Friends.
4. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
4. Note; True Miniſters rejoyce more for the welfare of men's Souls, than in Preſerments, Wealth or Worldly Honour.
5. Beloved, thou doeſt faithfully whatſoever thou doeſt to the brethren, and to ſtrangers: 6. Which have born witneſs of thy charity before the church:
5. It is well done of thee, as a ſincere Chriſtian, that thou ſheweſt ſo much love and help, both to the Brethren of the Church with thee, and to Strangers in their Baniſhment and Travels: Which divers have here teſtified before the Church, to thy praiſe.
6. Whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly ſort, thou ſhalt do well: 7. Becauſe that for his name's ſake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles,
6, 7. And if thou further furniſh and help them in their Travel, it will be a laudable, Chriſtian Duty, doing as to God's Servants, who, for Chriſt's Name ſake, went out of their Country, to preach abroad (or were perſecuted out) and took nothing of the Gentile Chriſtians, towards their Maintenance in their Travels.
8. We therefore ought to receive ſuch, that we might be fellow-helpers to the truth.
8. To entertain and further ſuch, is part of our duty for the propagating of the Goſpel. (He that receiveth a Prophet, in the name of a Prophet, ſhall have a Prophet's reward.)
9. I wrote unto the church, but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the pre-eminence among them, receiveth us not.
9. I wrote for them, to the Church, my Teſtimonial, and deſire of their Reception: but their Biſhop, Diotrephes, who loveth to rule as pre-eminent among them, receiveth nor us Jews (or my Letters and Requeſt to the Church for them.)
10. Wherefore if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doth, 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.
10. Note 1. By remembring his deeds and words, is meant ſharp rebuking him before all, at leaſt, 2. It's like that this Diotrephes was Paſtor, (or Biſhop.) elſe he could not have caſt ſuch out of the Church: At leaſt he was ſome great man that uſurpt that Power: But ſure no Layman did ſo early uſurp the Keys. 3. By this we ſee that the Pride of domineering Biſhops began early to be Schiſmatical, and divide the Church by Tyranny: Yea it grew arrogant to oppoſe and reject the Beloved Apoſtle, and maliciouſly to prate againſt him. There is no Man or Cauſe ſo good, but a malicious Biſhop, or other man, may prate againſt it. As there are few Mutinies dangerous in Armies, unleſs headed by ſome Commanders; ſo there are few Schiſms much dangerous in the Church, but thoſe that are headed by Biſhops or Clergy-men. 4. It is uncertain whether it was to receive them to Communion, or only to Hoſpitality, that Diotrephes oppoſed: But it's like it was both, becauſe he caſt out their receivers from Communion. 5. It is not certain whether he did it on any difference of Opinion, or occaſional quarrel; but it is moſt like it was that he was a Gentile Chriſtian, and too much deſpiſed the Jews, as they cenſured and ſeparated too much from the Gentiles, Rom. 14. Gal. 2. Thus Separation on both ſides ſoon began, and even Peace-making Apoſtles could not be heard by the dividers.
11. Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good, He that doth good, is of God: but he that doth evil, hath not ſeen God.
11. Imitate not ſuch proud, hurtful, uncharitable, dividing Examples; whatever it pretend to, a hurtful, uncharitable courſe is not of God; ſuch are not true Believers, and know not God aright. But it is doing good that muſt ſhew that we are of God. By their fruit ye ſhall know them.
Note; Clergy Roman Cruelty by Inquiſitions, Priſons, Ejecting true Miniſters, &c. ſhews that they are not of God, though they pretend Power, Order, Unity, Faith, as if it were for God and Truth.
12. Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth it ſelf: yea, and we-alſo bear record, and ye know that our record is true.
12. Both common report, and his own good works, and our true Witneſs commend Demetrius.
13, 14. 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.
13, 14. Note; Kind Remembrances and Greetings are ſuitable to Chriſtian Friendſhip.