Study Desk

For the time has come for the judging, starting with the church of God; but if it makes a start with us, what will be the end of those who are not under the rule of God?

I who am myself one of the rulers of the church, and a witness of the death of Christ, having my part in the coming glory, send this serious request to the chief men among you:

I, a ruler in the church, send word to the noble sister who is of God's selection, and to her children, for whom I have true love; and not only I, but all who have knowledge of what is true;

I, a ruler in the church, send word to the well loved Gaius, for whom I have true love.

Who have given witness to the church of your love for them: and you will do well to send them on their way well cared for, as is right for servants of God:

I sent a letter to the church, but Diotrephes, whose desire is ever to have the first place among them, will not have us there.

So if I come, I will keep in mind the things he does, talking against us with evil words: and as if this was not enough, he does not take the brothers into his house, and those who are ready to take them in, he keeps from doing so, putting them out of the church if they do.

span data-lang="eng" data-trans="bbe" data-ref="3jo.1.1" class="versetxt"> I, a ruler in the church, send word to the well loved Gaius, for whom I have true love. My loved one, it is my prayer that you may do well in all things, and be healthy in body, even as your soul does well. For it gave me great joy when some of the brothers came and gave witness that you had the true faith and were walking in the true way. I have no greater joy than to have news that my children are walking in the true way. My loved one, you are doing a good work in being kind to those brothers who come from other places; Who have given witness to the church of your love for them: and you will do well to send them on their way well cared for, as is right for servants of God: For they went out for love of the Name, taking nothing from the Gentiles. So it is right for us to take in such men as guests, so that we may take our part in the work of the true faith. I sent a letter to the church, but Diotrephes, whose desire is ever to have the first place among them, will not have us there. So if I come, I will keep in mind the things he does, talking against us with evil words: and as if this was not enough, he does not take the brothers into his house, and those who are ready to take them in, he keeps from doing so, putting them out of the church if they do. My loved one, do not be copying what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God: he who does evil has not seen God. Demetrius has the approval of all men and of what is true: and we give the same witness, and you are certain that our witness is true. I had much to say to you, but it is not my purpose to put it all down with ink and pen: But I am hoping to see you in a short time, and to have talk with you face to face. May you have peace. Your friends here send you their love. Give my love to our friends by name.

To the angel of the church in Ephesus say: These things says he who has the seven stars in his right hand, who is walking in the middle of the seven gold lights:

And to the angel of the church in Smyrna say: These things says the first and the last, who was dead and is living:

And to the angel of the church in Pergamos say: These things says he who has the sharp two-edged sword:

And to the angel of the church in Thyatira say: These things says the Son of God, whose eyes are like a flame of fire, and his feet like polished brass:

And to the angel of the church in Sardis say: These things says he who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: I have knowledge of your works, that you seem to be living but are dead.

And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia say: These things says he who is holy, he who is true, he who has the key of David, opening the door so that it may be shut by no one, and shutting it so that it may be open to no one.

And to the angel of the church in Laodicea say: These things says the true and certain witness, the head of God's new order: