Episode Ninety-Nine
John’s Third Letter
To Gaius, the Galatian, apostle from Derbe
From John, ‘the Elder’, apostle from Galilee
Probably in Ephesus, after 70 AD
Around this time, John and Gaius were each living and traveling around Asia, helping many churches. Some co-workers of Gaius were well received when they shared in one of John’s churches. John, in turn, sent a letter with some of his own disciples to encourage one of Gaius’ churches; but a brother there prevented the visitors from speaking to the church. John writes Gaius to tell him about what has happened.
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From John the Elder
To my dear Gaius, whom I love in truth:
Dear one, I hope all is well with you and your health, and I know it is well with your soul. I myself was overjoyed when the brothers came here and shared your truth, showing that you walk in the truth. I have no greater joy than when I hear my children are walking in truth.
Dear one, you are faithful when you do whatever you can for the brothers and for the strangers. Now they have shared your love with the church. When they leave, you will do well to send them off in a manner worthy of God, because they went out for His Name's sake, receiving nothing from the Gentiles. And we ought to receive such, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.
I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes loves to be first-place among them and does not receive us. Because of this, if I come myself, I will tell them about what he did: babbling about me with evil words. And he's not satisfied by refusing the brothers himself, but he stops those who want to receive them, and then puts those out of the church!
Dear one, don't copy what is evil but copy what is good. The one who does good is of God. The one who does evil has not seen God. Demetrius has a good standing with everyone, and with the truth itself. We also support him, and you know that our word is true.
I had lots of things to write about, but I don't want to put them in a letter. Instead, I hope I'll see you soon, and we can talk face to face.
Peace to you. Our friends greet you. Greet each of our friends.
To Gaius, the Galatian, apostle from Derbe
From John, ‘the Elder’, apostle from Galilee
Probably in Ephesus, after 70 AD
Around this time, John and Gaius were each living and traveling around Asia, helping many churches. Some co-workers of Gaius were well received when they shared in one of John’s churches. John, in turn, sent a letter with some of his own disciples to encourage one of Gaius’ churches; but a brother there prevented the visitors from speaking to the church. John writes Gaius to tell him about what has happened.
~~~!~~!~~~
From John the Elder
To my dear Gaius, whom I love in truth:
Dear one, I hope all is well with you and your health, and I know it is well with your soul. I myself was overjoyed when the brothers came here and shared your truth, showing that you walk in the truth. I have no greater joy than when I hear my children are walking in truth.
Dear one, you are faithful when you do whatever you can for the brothers and for the strangers. Now they have shared your love with the church. When they leave, you will do well to send them off in a manner worthy of God, because they went out for His Name's sake, receiving nothing from the Gentiles. And we ought to receive such, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.
I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes loves to be first-place among them and does not receive us. Because of this, if I come myself, I will tell them about what he did: babbling about me with evil words. And he's not satisfied by refusing the brothers himself, but he stops those who want to receive them, and then puts those out of the church!
Dear one, don't copy what is evil but copy what is good. The one who does good is of God. The one who does evil has not seen God. Demetrius has a good standing with everyone, and with the truth itself. We also support him, and you know that our word is true.
I had lots of things to write about, but I don't want to put them in a letter. Instead, I hope I'll see you soon, and we can talk face to face.
Peace to you. Our friends greet you. Greet each of our friends.