3 John 1 1

3 John 1:1 kjv

The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.

3 John 1:1 nkjv

The Elder, To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth:

3 John 1:1 niv

The elder, To my dear friend Gaius, whom I love in the truth.

3 John 1:1 esv

The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth.

3 John 1:1 nlt

This letter is from John, the elder. I am writing to Gaius, my dear friend, whom I love in the truth.

3 John 1 verses

3 John 1 1 Meaning

The apostle John, identifying himself simply as "the elder," begins his short letter by addressing Gaius, a highly respected Christian. The opening establishes a deep spiritual bond rooted in sincere, unfeigned love, a love grounded in their shared allegiance to Christ and the unchanging truth of the Gospel. It signifies that their relationship is not merely personal but profound, centered on their common faith and fidelity to Christian doctrine.

3 John 1 1 Context

The Epistle of 3 John is the shortest book in the New Testament, a personal letter written by "the elder," traditionally understood as John the Apostle, near the end of the first century A.D. Its primary purpose is to commend Gaius for his faithfulness and hospitality, especially towards traveling Christian missionaries and evangelists, and to encourage him in his godly walk. It also contrasts Gaius's honorable conduct with the contentious and un-Christian behavior of a local church leader named Diotrephes, who had rejected John's authority and refused to receive traveling brethren. This opening verse, therefore, establishes the loving and truthful foundation of the relationship between John and Gaius, which sets the stage for the crucial issues of fellowship, truth, and authority addressed in the rest of the letter. It emphasizes that the true expression of Christian fellowship is built upon love for the truth.

3 John 1 1 Word analysis

• The elder (Ὁ πρεσβύτερος - Ho Presbyteros)

  • The: The definite article, pointing to a specific and well-known individual.
  • Ho: Greek definite article "the."
  • Presbyteros: "Older person," "elder." In this context, given other New Testament usage (e.g., 2 John 1) and John's reputed age at the time of writing, it refers not only to an older man but significantly to an established leader or superintendent in the early Church. It conveys spiritual authority and a revered position.
  • Significance: John identifies himself by his apostolic and authoritative office rather than by name, implying his status was widely recognized and respected in the churches of Asia Minor. This self-designation reinforces the authority behind his counsel and commendation.

• unto (πρὸς - pros)

  • Pros: Greek preposition, indicating direction, "to" or "towards."
  • Significance: A simple and direct address, characteristic of personal correspondence.

• the wellbeloved (τὸν ἀγαπητόν - ton agapeton)

  • the: Definite article.
  • Ton: Greek definite article "the."
  • Agapeton: From agapaō, "to love," signifying "dearly loved" or "beloved." This is agape love—a profound, spiritual, and unconditional love that stems from shared faith in Christ and adherence to Christian truth, not merely personal fondness.
  • Significance: Highlights the deep affection and esteem John holds for Gaius, distinguishing him as a genuine follower of Christ worthy of such high regard.

• Gaius (Γάϊον - Gaion)

  • Gaion: A common Roman praenomen (first name). While other Gaiuses appear in the New Testament (Acts 19:29; 20:4; Rom 16:23; 1 Cor 1:14), this Gaius is likely distinct.
  • Significance: His actions, as revealed in the subsequent verses (hospitality to traveling missionaries), confirm why he is so "wellbeloved." He embodies the principles of truth and love that John advocates.

• whom (ὃν - hon)

  • Hon: Relative pronoun "whom."
  • Significance: Connects Gaius to John's declaration of love.

• I love (ἀγαπῶ - agapō)

  • Agapō: First person singular present active indicative of agapaō. "I love," expressing continuous, deliberate, and spiritual affection.
  • Significance: Reiterates John's agape love for Gaius, a core tenet of Christian relationships. It's a foundational, enduring love rooted in Christ.

• in the truth (ἐν ἀληθείᾳ - en aletheia)

  • in: Preposition denoting the sphere, basis, or instrument of the action.
  • En: Greek preposition "in."
  • Aletheia: "Truth," which for John carries profound theological weight. It encompasses God's faithfulness, the Person of Christ (who is the Truth), the message of the Gospel, sound doctrine, and sincerity of life. It implies faithfulness to God's revelation.
  • Significance: This critical phrase qualifies the nature of John's love. It is:
    • Truth-based: The love between them is founded on their mutual adherence to the Gospel and orthodox doctrine.
    • Truthfully expressed: John's love for Gaius is genuine, sincere, and free from hypocrisy. It is not feigned but reflects integrity.
    • Truth-shaped: Their relationship thrives within the realm of Christian verity, contrasting with deceit or false teachings. It is love as demonstrated and commanded by Christ.

• Words-group analysis: "whom I love in the truth"

  • This phrase clarifies the spiritual and theological basis of John's affection. It means that John's love for Gaius is:
    1. Grounded in shared doctrine: Both John and Gaius adhere to the true Gospel, distinguishing their fellowship from relationships built on error or superficiality. Their love is for one another because they walk in the truth of Christ.
    2. Sincere and authentic: The love is genuine, free from pretense or flattery, characteristic of those whose lives are ordered by truth. It emphasizes John's integrity.
    3. Demonstrated in faithfulness: As seen in later verses, Gaius's actions (supporting missionaries, showing hospitality) align with the truth, which deepens John's love for him. This shows how love and truth are inseparable in practical Christian living.

3 John 1 1 Bonus section

• The brevity of the greeting in 3 John (compared to longer salutations in Paul's letters) suggests an intimate, direct relationship where formal introductions were unnecessary due to the elder's well-known identity and stature.
• The repeated emphasis on "truth" throughout John's writings (his Gospel and Epistles) highlights its central role in Christian belief and practice. For John, truth is not an abstract concept but a living reality embodied in Jesus Christ and reflected in the lives of believers.
• This verse implicitly defines genuine Christian love: it is not a sentimental feeling that compromises on truth but a firm, active devotion rooted in shared fidelity to Christ and His revealed will. It demonstrates that spiritual love is necessarily informed and bounded by sound doctrine.
• The opening immediately foreshadows the core conflict of the letter: the love and truth demonstrated by John and Gaius vs. the self-exalting, truth-opposing actions of Diotrephes.

3 John 1 1 Commentary

3 John 1:1 opens with the profound yet concise expression of apostolic authority combined with heartfelt, truth-grounded love. "The elder," a familiar and respected title, establishes the source of the letter without needing a name, indicating John's recognized leadership. His address to "the wellbeloved Gaius" highlights a cherished personal relationship, but the crucial qualifier, "whom I love in the truth," elevates this affection beyond mere human sentiment. This "truth" for John is multifaceted: it is the person of Christ, the gospel message, the sound doctrine of the faith, and sincerity in Christian living. Therefore, John's love for Gaius is authentic, based on their shared fidelity to Christ and His Word, and confirmed by Gaius's demonstrated commitment to true faith (as the letter further details through his hospitality). This verse sets the stage for the rest of 3 John, where John praises Gaius's conduct rooted in truth and implicitly contrasts it with Diotrephes's actions, which stem from a love of preeminence rather than the truth. It underscores that genuine Christian fellowship and love are inseparable from adherence to the foundational truths of the faith.