3 Jana 1:2 Komentarz

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.

Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper,.... Or succeed in all temporal affairs, in the business of life, in which he was; and as success of this sort depends upon the blessing of God, which maketh rich, it is to be wished and prayed for from him: and be in health; that is, of body, which above all things above all outward mercies, is the most desirable; for without this, what are the richest dainties, the largest possessions, or the best of friends? without this there can be no comfortable enjoyment of either of them; and therefore of this sort of mercies, it is in the first place, and above all others, to be wished for, and desired by one friend for another. The rule and measure of this wish is according to the prosperity of his soul, even as thy soul prospereth: the soul is diseased with sin, and may be said to be in good health, when all its iniquities are forgiven; and may be said to prosper, when having a spiritual appetite for the Gospel, the sincere milk of the word, it feeds upon it, is nourished by it, and grows thereby; when it is in the lively exercise of faith, hope, and love; when spiritual knowledge is increased, or it grows in grace, and in the knowledge of Christ Jesus; when the inward man is renewed day by day with fresh strength; and when it enjoys communion with God, has the light of his countenance, and the joys of his salvation; and when it is fruitful in every good work.

Things are going well for Gaius because his soul is carrying on in good works as the will of his mind directs him.

Dearly beloved, I wish that you may prosper in all things and be in good health, just as your soul prospers. "just as your soul prospers." It acts prosperously, namely in the state that is according to the Gospel.

Beloved, I pray that in all things, etc. He says, I frequent prayers to the Lord, that you may complete well what you do well. And just as now your soul, that is, the internal intention of your mind prospers, that is, advances in abundant works of alms, and the liberality of a bountiful mind, and the resources of money which you share with the needy, so may you always be able to lead a life full of virtues with the Lord’s help.

The Apostle writes this epistle with the purpose of bestowing praise upon certain brethren. He writes to Gaius, of whom he testifies that he receives many strangers, and for this bestows upon him great praise. For "he who does good is of God," he says (3 John 1:11). He further encourages him by the fact that he disapproves of Diotrephes, who does not wish to act in this way. He praises Demetrius, who acts in the same manner as Gaius, and gives a true testimony of his virtue. "As your soul prospers"; and it prospers in the life according to the Gospel.

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.

I wish above all things - Περι παντων ευχομαι· Above all things I pray that thou mayest prosper, and be in health, και ὑγιαινειν· to which one MS. adds εν αληθεια, which gives it a different meaning, viz., that thou mayest be sound in the truth. The prayer of St. John for Caius includes three particulars: 1. Health of body; 2. Health of soul; and 3. Prosperity in secular affairs. That thou mayest Prosper and be in Health, as thy Soul Prospereth. These three things, so necessary to the comfort of life, every Christian may in a certain measure expect, and for them every Christian is authorized to pray; and we should have more of all three if we devoutly prayed for them. It appears from the last clause that the soul of Caius was in a very prosperous state.

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).

above all things--Greek, "concerning all things": so ALFORD: in all respects. But WAHL justifies English Version (compare Pe1 4:8). Of course, since his soul's prosperity is presupposed, "above all things" does not imply that John wishes Gaius' bodily health above that of his soul, but as the first object to be desired next after spiritual health. I know you are prospering in the concerns of your soul. I wish you similar prosperity in your body. Perhaps John had heard from the brethren (Jo3 1:3) that Gaius was in bad health, and was tried in other ways (Jo3 1:10), to which the wish, Jo3 1:2, refers. prosper--in general. be in health--in particular.