Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary

Adam Clarke Commentary

We therefore ought to receive such - Those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, and have professed the truth at the hazard of their lives, and the loss of all their worldly substance. Instead of απολαμβανειν, to receive, the most ancient and reputable MSS. have ὑπολαμβανειν, to take up, undertake for, or kindly receive.

Fellow helpers to the truth - And thus encourage the persecuted, and contribute to the spread and maintenance of the Gospel.

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible

We therefore ought to receive such - All of us ought hospitably to entertain and help such persons. The work in which they are engaged is one of pure benevolence. They have no selfish aims and ends in it. They do not even look for the supplies of their own needs among the people to whom they go to minister; and we ought, therefore, to help them in their work, and to contribute to their support. Doubtless, the apostle meant to urge this duty particularly upon Gaius; but, in order to show that he recognized the obligation himself, he uses the term “we,” and speaks of it as a duty binding on all Christians.

That we might be fellow-helpers to the truth - All Christians cannot go forth to preach the gospel, but all may contribute something to the support of those who do; and in this case they would have a joint participation in the work of spreading the truth. The same reasoning which was applicable to that case, is also applicable now in regard to the duty of supporting those who go forth to preach the gospel to the destitute.

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible

We therefore ought to welcome such, that we may be fellow-workers for the truth.

See under 3 John 1:1:7 for three reasons why missionaries such as these should be supported, the third being, "that we may be fellow-workers in the truth," that is, participants in the rewards of spreading the gospel. John has built up the case here to show how important it was for such men to be aided, thus pointing up the sinful nature of Diotrephes' actions in shutting his doors against them and blocking the efforts any one else might have been willing to make on their behalf. All of this contrasts with the beautiful and hospitable behaviour of Gaius.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

We therefore ought to receive such,.... We who are Jews, that have believed in Christ, for such an one Gaius, it seems, as well, as the apostle, were, ought to receive such preachers of the word into our houses, and entertain them cheerfully, while they continue, and supply them with all necessaries when they depart:

that we might be fellow helpers to the truth; that is, to the Gospel, and the propagation of it in the world: some are helpers to it, in preaching of it, by making use of the ministerial gifts bestowed upon them; and others are fellow helpers with them, to the same good work, by their purses, communicating freely to the support of those, who labour in the word and doctrine; and these latter have the honour to be co-workers, or fellow labourers with the former, as the word here used signifies. The Alexandrian copy reads, "fellow helpers to the church", that so the whole burden of taking care of these ministers might not lie upon them. The Vulgate Latin, Arabic, and Ethiopic versions read, "fellow helpers of the truth".

Geneva Study Bible

We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be ^d fellowhelpers to the truth.

(d) That we ourselves may help the preaching of the truth.

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

We — in contradistinction to “the Gentiles” or “heathen” referred to, 3 John 1:7.

therefore — as they take nothing from the Gentiles or heathen.

receive — The oldest manuscripts read, “take up.” As they “take” nothing from the Gentiles, we ought to take them up so as to support them.

fellow helpers — with them.

to the truth — that is, to promote the truth.

Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament

Ought (οπειλομεν — opheilomen). See for this word 1 John 2:6; 1 John 3:16; 1 John 4:11.

To welcome (υπολαμβανειν — hupolambanein). Present active infinitive (habit of welcoming) of υπολαμβανω — hupolambanō old word, to take up under, to carry off (Acts 1:9), to reply (Luke 10:30), to suppose (Acts 2:15), only here in N.T. in this sense of receiving hospitably or to take under one‘s protection like υποδεχομαι — hupodechomai (Luke 10:38).

Such (τους τοιουτους — tous toioutous). “The such” according to the Greek idiom (1 Corinthians 16:16, 1 Corinthians 16:18).

That we may be (ινα γινωμετα — hina ginōmetha). Purpose clause with ινα — hina and the present middle subjunctive of γινομαι — ginomai “that we may keep on becoming.”

Fellow-workers (συνεργοι — sunergoi). Old compound (συν εργον — sunτηι αλητειαι — ergon).

With the truth (συν — tēi alētheiāi). So associative instrumental case with συνεργοι — sun in συνεργεω — sunergoi but it is not certain that this is the idea, though εργοις — sunergeō is so used with Συνεργος — ergois in James 2:22. τεου συνεργοι — Sunergos itself occurs with the genitive of the person as in της χαρας — theou sunergoi (1 Corinthians 3:9) or with genitive of the thing tēs charās (1 Corinthians 3:9). So then here the meaning may be either “co-workers with such brethren for the truth” (dative of advantage) or “co-workers with the truth” (associative instrumental case).

Vincent's Word Studies

Ought ( ὀφείλομεν )

See on 1 John 2:6.

To receive ( ἀπολαμβάνειν )

The best texts read ὑπολαμβάνειν tosupport; i.e., to welcome with the provision of hospitality. Rev., welcome. The verb means, originally, to take underneath in order to raise. Hence, to support. Figuratively, to take upon the mind, to suppose, as Luke 7:43; Acts 2:15: to take up or follow in speech; hence to answer, as Luke 10:30.

Fellow-helpers to the truth ( συνεργοὶ τῇ ἀληθείᾳ )

Lit., fellow-workers. The expression is explained in two ways: either fellow-workers with the teachers ( τοιούτους such) in support of the truth; or fellow-workers with the truth. Adopt the latter, as Rev.

Wesley's Explanatory Notes

We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.

To receive — With all kindness.

The truth — Which they preach.

John Trapp Complete Commentary

8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.

Ver. 8. That we might be fellowhelpers] And so receive a prophet’s reward. {See Trapp on "Matthew 10:41"}

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible

3 John 1:8. We therefore ought to receive such, &c.— "It therefore certainly is our duty, who wish well to the cause of Christ and to immortal souls, to take such generous, and disinterested, and needy ministers into our affectionate care and kind regards; and to be helpful to them according to our ability, that we may have the pleasure and the honour of bearing a part with them in the success of their ministrations, by contributing to their maintenance; and so may work together with them in propagating the truth of the gospel among the Gentiles as well as the Jews.

Heinrich Meyer's Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament

indicates “the highest point of view for Christian φιλοξενία” (Lücke)

3 John 1:8 indicates “the highest point of view for Christian φιλοξενία” (Lücke).

ἡμεῖς οὖν] ἡμεῖς emphatically forms the antithesis to οἱ ἐθνικοί; as they take nothing from the Gentiles, we Christians are bound to take an interest in them; ὀφείλομεν ὑπολαμβάνειν τοὺς τοιούτους] ὑπολαμβάνειν is just as little used in the N. T. in the sense of hospitable reception (Oec. ὑποδέχεσθαι) as the ἀπολαμβάνειν that is found in the Rec. In the classics it appears (but not ἀπολαμβάνειν) both in this meaning and in the modified signification: “to support” (so in Strabo: οἱ εὔποροι τοὺς ἐνδεεῖς ὑπολαμβάνουσι); so it is to be taken here also, and in connection with it the play upon words, between λαμβάνοντες and ὑπο … λαμβάνειν, must not be overlooked.

ἵνα συνεργοὶ γινώμεθα τῇ ἀληθείᾳ] Confirmation of ὀφείλομεν. The dative τῇ ἀληθ. is not dependent on συν; Vulg.: ut cooperatores simus veritatis; Luther: “so that we may be helpers of the truth” (so Grotius, Bengel, Besser, etc.), but it is the dative of reference, and συν refers back to τοὺς τοιούτους (Brückner, Düsterdieck, Ebrard, Braune): “so that we may be their fellow-workers for the truth;” comp. 2 Corinthians 8:23; Colossians 4:11, where instead of the dative the preposition εἰς is used.

Johann Albrecht Bengel's Gnomon of the New Testament

3 John 1:8. συνεργοὶ, fellow-helpers) that we may assist the truth, so that it may not be hindered.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

See Poole on "3 John 1:7"

Justin Edwards' Family Bible New Testament

Be fellow-helpers; assist them in spreading the gospel.

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

‘We therefore ought to welcome such, that we may be fellow-workers for the truth.’

It was right that these travelling preachers should be welcomed and given hospitality, because of Whose they were, and by doing so Gaius had a part in their ministry. He was a fellow-worker with them in the truth. All may not be able to preach, but all can have a part in the ministry of such people by their continual support. It was the widow who gave her pittance who was especially honoured by God, not the wealthy donors in the Temple, for she gave of her all (Mark 12:41-44). One cup of cold water rightly given can quench the thirst of Heaven.

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable

Giving financial and hospitable aid makes the giver a partner with the receiver in his work (cf. 2 John 1:10-11). Since pagans did not support Christian preachers and teachers, the duty of Christians to support them was even greater.

"As a deacon expressed it to me in the first church I pastored, "You pay your board where you get your food!" It is unbiblical for church members to send their tithes and offerings all over the world and neglect to support the ministry of their own local church." [Note: Ibid.]

Note John"s emphasis on the truth again. Preaching the gospel is proclaiming the truth.

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

that = in order that. Greek. hina.

might = may.

be = become.

fellowhelpers. Greek. sunergos. See 1 Corinthians 3:9.

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Unabridged

We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth. We - in contradistinction to "the Gentiles" (3 John 1:7).

Therefore - as they take nothing from the Gentiles. Receive. 'Aleph (') A B C read, 'take up.' As they take nothing from the Gentiles, we ought to take up their support.

Fellow-helpers - with them. To the truth - i:e., to promote the truth.

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.

to receive

10; Matthew 10:14,40; Luke 11:7; 2 Corinthians 7:2,3

fellow-helpers

1 Corinthians 3:5-9; 16:10,11; 2 Corinthians 6:1; 8:23; Philippians 4:3; Colossians 4:11; 1 Thessalonians 3:2; Philemon 1:2,24

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 22:17 - all the princes;  Psalm 94:16 - rise up;  Matthew 10:11 - inquire;  John 21:17 - Feed;  Acts 13:3 - they sent;  Acts 15:4 - received;  Acts 16:15 - come;  Acts 18:27 - exhorting;  Acts 21:17 - the brethren;  Romans 14:1 - receive;  1 Corinthians 3:9 - we;  1 Corinthians 16:16 - helpeth;  3 John 1:9 - receiveth

E.M. Zerr's Commentary on Selected Books of the New Testament

Because of the aforesaid sacrifice, John insists that the disciples should voluntarily assist them. Fellowhelpers to the truth. A man may not be able to preach the Gospel, but if he supports the man who does Song of Solomon, he becomes a partner with him in the work and will be lessed of the Lord for his contribution.

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

8.Therefore—In view of their unpaid labours and need of supplies, Christians should support the missionaries if Gentiles or pagans do not.

Fellow-helpers—Of the missionaries. Ordinary Christians cannot go on missions in their own persons; but they can become fellow-helpers by paying missionary expenses.

 

The Expositor's Greek Testament

3 John 1:8_{. , emphatic in contrast to the Gentiles. , of moral obligation. See note on} 1 John 2:6_{. , suscipere, “receive hospitably” (cf. ), “take under one’s protection”. Observe the Wortspiel— , . : a division of labour. If we cannot preach the Gospel ourselves, we may help others to do it. William Carey, comparing his missionary enterprise to the exploration of a mine, said: “I will go down if you will hold the ropes”.}

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The Bible Study New Testament

8. We Christians, then. John is still urging Gaius to show hospitality to the brothers and strangers who come. “We Christians can all share in the work these brothers are doing by helping them!” We can sometimes fulfill our responsibility (at least part of it) by proxy. SeeLuke 10:35.