An Exposition of Pauls Epistles, Letter 21
The third Epistle of IOHN, Analytically expounded.
THE CONTENTS.
GAius to whom the Apostle writes, was a Jew by Countrey, a Christian by Religion, a man rich, and very liberal to the Saints, in favour with the Church where hee lived, and esteem with his Minister ambitious Diotrephes, as is gathered out of this very Epistle. From hence the Apostle exhorts him to entertain freely those Ministers of the Gospel, who brought these, as it were, letters of commendation to him, and when they departed, to vouchsafe them all things belonging to their journey. The parts of the Epistle are three: In the first is the Preface, to vers. 3. In the second is the stirring up of Gaius, to persevere in the exercise of his charity and liberality towards the Saints, to vers. 13. In the third is the conclusion.
Vers. 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.
In the direction of the Epistle, from himself to Gaius, hee declares his respects towards him, in the repetition of a friendly compellation: 2. In his special profession of sincere love towards him: 3. In praying for him, that God would continue a prosperous condition unto him, chiefly, that hee would preserve him in that prosperity of mind, which hee had hitherto shewn in the exercise of Faith and Love.
Vers. 3. For I rejoy…ed greatly when the Brethren came, and testified of the Truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the Truth.
The second part of the Epistle follows, wherein hee exhorts him to persevere in the demonstration of his love to the Saints, and namely to some of the servants of God, who brought this Epistle to him. There are eleven Arguments to prove that Gaius ought to go forward in the duties of Charity.
Argum. 1. From the former demonstration of his sincere Faith working by love. Thou hast obtained a very commendable testimony of thy sincerity, from the Brethren, which came from thee, who have had experience of thy liberality, and hath given mee cause both of rejoycing on thy behalf, and giving thanks to God, and thee also: Therefore it is thy duty to proceed in the duties of Charity.
Vers. 4. I have no greater joy, than to hear that my children walk in Truth.
Argum. 2. Confirming and explaining the former. No greater joy can betide mee, than that my Disciples, which I have begotten to God through the Gospel, do daily proceed in the exercises of Faith and Love.
Vers. 5. Beloved, Thou dost faithfully, whatsoever thou dost to the Brethren, and to strangers.
Argum. 3. The works of Mercy and Charity, which thou exercisest towards the holy servants of God, and strangers, demonstrate thee to bee truly Faithful: Therefore proceed in them.
Vers. 6. Which have born witnesse of thy Charity before the Church, whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well:
Argum. 4. The Brethren, which bring these letters to thee, have born witness openly of thy Charity in the publick assembly of the Church: Therefore go forward both to deserve well of them and others.
Thou shalt do well] Argum. 5. If now thou shalt receive those that come unto thee, as thou hast before, and furnish them when they depart from thee, both with all things necessary for their journey, and accompany them somewhat in their way to another place, as it becomes thee, and is a thing befitting thee to accompany the Ministers of God, thou shalt do an excellent office, and▪ work that becometh thy piety towards God: Therefore see that thou do it.
Vers. 7. Because that for his names sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.
Argum 6. To preach the name of God, or the Gospel of Christ (who is God) they went forth of their own accord, taking nothing of the Gentiles, nor of those that were converted, nor of those that were not, lest they should give occasion to any, of saying that they preached the Gospel to the Gentiles for advantage: Therefore deal thou more liberally with these.
Vers. 8. Wee therefore ought to receive such, that wee might bee fellow-helpers to the Truth.
Argum. 7. All that favour the preaching of the Gospel, are bound to promote the endeavours of men, as far as they are able, that they may share in the work of the Gospel, by sustaining, or some way assisting the preachers of it: Therefore be thou not wanting herein.
Vers. 9. I wrote unto the Church, but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preheminence among them, receiveth us not.
For this end I have written to the Church, wherein thou wast, that by the publick charges they might have provision necessary for their journey, but I am afraid of the success, because that ambitious Diotrephes, who endeavours to have the preheminence over all the rest of his fellows, may undervalue both mee and my Letters of commendation.
Vers. 10. Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which hee doth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth hee himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the Church.
The Apostle adviseth him, that hee will deal with this ambitious lover of preheminence before the Church, when hee comes, and gives five reasons of his purpose.
Reas. 1. Because Diotrephes did many evil deeds.
2. Because hee did prate against the Apostles with malicious words, and namely against Iohn, whom he knew to be an enemy to ambition, and humane Episcopacy, creeping into the Church, through the ambition and devices of these kind of men.
3. Because hee did neither entertain, nor did bestow any kinde of respect upon the true Christians that held fast the Doctrine of the Apostles in all things.
4. Because by his tyrannical injunctions and constitutions threatning excommunication, and casting out of the Church, hee prohibits (who entertained and received those Preachers with all Christian offices that were … by the Apostles) if they did contrary to his commands.
5. Because hee did imperiously excommunicate those that transgressed his commands, and did entertain this kind of Brethren.
Vers. 11. Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. Hee that doth good is of God; but hee that doth evil, hath not seen God.
Argum. 9. Thou oughtest not to follow the evil carriage of thy Pastor Diotrephes, or obey his wicked commands, because this would bee evil, and contrary to true Faith, and love towards God; but thou oughtest to follow that onelyonly which is good, and agreeable to sound Doctrine: Therefore go on in exercising the duties of love.
Hee that doth good] Argum. 10. Confirming the formee; hee that indeavours to do good, is born of God; but hee that doth evil, is void of the true and saving knowledge of God, or faith in him: Therefore go thou on to do good, that thou mayest approve thy self to bee of God.
Vers. 12. Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the Truth it self: yea and wee also bear record, and yee know that our record is true.
Argum. 11. Thou oughtest rather to imitate Demetrius his kindness towards the Saints, and poor strangers, of whom, all and the very truth of the thing, shewing it self in deeds, gives testimony, and I my self, who am not wont to affirm, unless it be those things which are true, and I know by experience, do give testimony of his praise: Therefore imitate him, and go on in the duties of Charity.
Vers. 13. I had many things to write, but I will not with Ink and Pen write unto thee.
14. But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and wee shall speak face to face.
The conclusion remains, wherein are two Articles. In the first hee excuses the shortness of his Epistle, hoping to see and talk face to face with him.
Vers. 15. Peace bee to thee. Our Friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name.
In the second Article. 1. Hee salutes Gaius, by wishing peace to him, i. e. the blessing of God in all things. 2. Hee doth hearty commendations to Gaius from his friends, viz. the Saints, who were his true friends. 3. Hee wills him to salute in his name particularly, and by name all his friends, i. e. who loved him.