Study Desk

I wrote a letter[fn] to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be in charge, will not accept us.

For this reason, when I come I will call attention to what he is doing in spreading false charges against us. And not content with that, he refuses to accept the brothers. He even tries to stop those who want to accept them and throws them out of the church.

span data-lang="eng" data-trans="isv" data-ref="3jo.1.1" class="versetxt"> From[fn] the elder to my dear friend Gaius, whom I love in truth.[xr] Dear friend, I pray that you are doing well in every way and that you are healthy, just as your soul is healthy. For I was overjoyed when some brothers arrived and testified about your truthfulness and how you live according to the truth.[xr] I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are living according to the truth.[xr] Dear friend, you are faithful in whatever you do for the brothers, especially when they are strangers. They have testified before the church about your love. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God. After all, they went on their trip for the sake of Christ's[fn] name, accepting no support from the Gentiles.[xr] Therefore, we ought to support such people so that we can become their helpers in spreading[fn] the truth. I wrote a letter[fn] to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be in charge, will not accept us. For this reason, when I come I will call attention to what he is doing in spreading false charges against us. And not content with that, he refuses to accept the brothers. He even tries to stop those who want to accept them and throws them out of the church. Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The person who does what is good is from God. The person who does what is evil has never seen God.[xr] Demetrius has received a good report from everyone, including the truth itself. We, too, can testify to this, and you know that our testimony is true.[xr] Although I have a great deal to write to you, I would rather not write with pen and ink.[xr] Instead, I hope to see you soon and talk face to face. May peace be with you! Your friends greet you. Greet each of our friends by name.

"To the messengerangel">[fn] of the church in Ephesus, write:Revelation 1:13,16, 20;">[xr] 'The one who holds the seven stars in his right hand, the one who walks among the seven gold lampstands, says this:

"To the messengerangel">[fn] of the church in Smyrna, write:Revelation 1:8,17-18;">[xr] 'The first and the last, who was dead and became alive, says this:

"To the messengerangel">[fn] of the church in Pergamum, write:Revelation 1:16;">[xr] 'The one who holds the sharp, two-edged sword, says this:

"To the messengerangel">[fn] of the church in Thyatira, write:Revelation 1:14-15;">[xr] 'The Son of God, whose eyes are like flaming fire and whose feet are like glowing bronze, says this:

"To the messengerangel">[fn] of the church in Sardis, write:Ephesians 2:1,5; 1 Timothy 5:6; Revelation 1:4,16, 5; 2:2; 4:5; 5:6;">[xr] 'The one who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars says this: 'I know your works. You are known for being alive, but you are dead.

"To the messengerangel">[fn] of the church in Philadelphia, write:Job 1:12:14; Isaiah 22:22; Matthew 16:19; Luke 1:32; Acts 3:14; 1 John 5:20; Revelation 1:5,18; 5:14; 6:10; 19:11;">[xr] 'The one who is holy, who is true, who has the key of David, who opens a door thatwho opens and">[fn] no one can shut, and who shuts a door thatwho shuts and">[fn] no one can open, says this:

"To the messengerangel">[fn] of the church in Laodicea, write:Isaiah 65:16; Colossians 1:15; Revelation 1:5; 19:11; 22:6-7;">[xr] 'The Amen, the witness who is faithful and true, the beginningsource">[fn] of God's creation, says this: