3 John 1:4 Komentář

In this epistle the apostle congratulates Gaius upon the prosperity of his soul (Jo3 1:1, Jo3 1:2), upon the fame he had among good Christians (Jo3 1:3, Jo3 1:4), and upon his charity and hospitality to the servants of Christ (Jo3 1:5, Jo3 1:6). He complains of contemptuous treatment by an ambitious Diotrephes (Jo3 1:9, Jo3 1:10), recommends Demetrius (Jo3 1:12), and expresses his hope of visiting Gaius shortly (Jo3 1:13, Jo3 1:14).

The elder unto the well beloved Gaius,.... The elder is the writer of the epistle, the Apostle John, who so styles himself on account of his age, and office, as in the preceding epistle. The person to whom he writes is "the well beloved Gaius"; not that Gaius, who was the Apostle Paul's host, Rom 16:23, for though their characters agree, being both hospitable men, yet neither the place nor time in which they lived. The Apostle Paul's Gaius lived at Corinth, this is in some place near to Ephesus, for the apostle in his old age purposed to come and see him shortly; the other was contemporary with Paul, this with John; there were thirty or forty years difference between them: besides, the Corinthian Gaius was baptized by Paul, and was doubtless one of his spiritual children, or converts, whereas this Gaius was one of the Apostle John's spiritual children, Jo3 1:4; nor does he seem to be the same with Gaius of Macedonia, Act 19:29, or with Gaius of Derbe, Act 20:4, who seem to be two different persons by their country, though both companions in travel of the Apostle Paul; for which reason, as well as the time of their living, neither of them can be this Gaius, who was a settled housekeeper, and resided at some certain place. His name is a Roman name, and the same with Caius, though he seems to have been a Jew, as he might, it being usual with the Jews in other countries to take Gentile names. His character is, that he was "well beloved"; that is, of God, as it appears he was from the grace bestowed on him, from the prosperous estate of his soul, and from the truth that was in him, and his walking in it; and of the Lord Jesus Christ, for the same reasons; and also of all the brethren and saints that knew him; he being a person not only truly gracious, and of faithfulness and integrity, but of great liberality and beneficence, which must gain him much love and esteem among them; and he was well beloved by the Apostle John; and so the Syriac version renders it, "to my beloved Gaius": though his love to him is expressed in the following clause, whom I love in the truth; as being in it, or for the sake of it, or truly and sincerely; See Gill on Jo2 1:1.

I have no greater joy,.... Nothing that causes greater joy. The Vulgate Latin version reads "grace" or "thanks"; and then the sense is, that he had nothing to be more thankful for: than to hear that my children walk in truth; meaning his spiritual children, those whose conversion he had been the instrument of; and among these it seems Gaius was one.

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. "no greater joy than." The term "greater" (µειζοτέραν) according to the practice of the Greek language is not a suitable comparative expression, but it is placed as if seeking a more fervent exaggeration, and thus the comparative is formed from the comparative.

I have no greater joy than this, etc. That is, that I recognize those whom I have begotten to God by preaching or baptizing, observing the truth both of right faith and good operation.

The expression μειζοτέραν is not in accord with the elegance of the Greek language; for to the comparative degree (μείζονα) yet another comparative suffix (-τερ) has been added.

The apostle's address to Caius, and his good wishes for his prosperity in body and soul, Jo3 1:1, Jo3 1:2. He commends him for his steadiness in the truth, and his general hospitality, especially to the itinerant evangelists, Jo3 1:3-8. Speaks of the bad conduct of Diotrephes; his abuse of his power in the Church; and his slander of the apostles, Jo3 1:9, Jo3 1:10. Exhorts Caius to avoid his example, and to follow what is good, Jo3 1:11. Commends Demetrius, Jo3 1:12. Excuses himself from writing more fully, and proposes to pay him a visit shortly, Jo3 1:13, Jo3 1:14.

To hear that my children - From this it has been inferred that Caius was one of St. John's converts, and consequently not the Corinthian Caius, who was converted, most probably, by St. Paul. But the apostle might use the term children here as implying those who were immediately under his pastoral care, and, being an old man, he had a right to use such terms in addressing his juniors both in age and grace; and there is much both of propriety and dignity in the appellation coming from such a person.

I--emphatical. I personally, for my part. On Gaius or Caius, see my Introduction before Second Epistle. love in the truth-- (Jo2 1:1). "Beloved" is repeated often in this Epistle, indicating strong affection (Jo3 1:1-2, Jo3 1:5, Jo3 1:11).

my children--members of the Church: confirming the view that the "elect lady" is a Church.