3 John 1:8

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".

1:1-8 Those who are beloved of Christ, will love the brethren for his sake. Soul prosperity is the greatest blessing on this side heaven. Grace and health are rich companions. Grace will employ health. A rich soul may be lodged in a weak body; and grace must then be exercised in submitting to such a dispensation. But we may wish and pray that those who have prosperous souls, may have healthful bodies; that their grace may shine where there is still more room for activity. How many professors there are, about whom the apostle's words must be reversed, and we must earnestly wish and pray that their souls might prosper, as their health and circumstances do! True faith will work by love. A good report is due from those who receive good; they could not but testify to the church, what they found and felt. Good men will rejoice in the soul prosperity of others; and they are glad to hear of the grace and goodness of others. And as it is a joy to good parents, it will be a joy to good ministers, to see their people adorn their profession. Gaius overlooked petty differences among serious Christians, and freely helped all who bore the image, and did the work of Christ. He was upright in what he did, as a faithful servant. Faithful souls can hear their own praises without being puffed up; the commendation of what is good in them, lays them at the foot of the cross of Christ.

Christians should consider not only what they must do, but what they may do; and should do even the common actions of life, and of good-will, after a godly sort, serving God therein, and designing his glory. Those who freely make known Christ's gospel, should be helped by others to whom God gives the means. Those who cannot themselves proclaim it, may yet receive, help, and countenance those who do so.

8. We—in contradistinction to "the Gentiles" or "heathen" referred to, 3Jo 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.

3 John 1:8 . ἡμεῖς , emphatic in contrast to the Gentiles. ὀφείλομεν , of moral obligation. See note on 1 John 2:6 . ὑπολαμβάνειν , suscipere , “receive hospitably” ( cf. ὑποδέχεσθαι ), “take under one’s protection”. Observe the Wortspiel — λαμβάνοντες , ὑπολαμβάνειν . συνεργοὶ τῇ ἀληθείᾳ : 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”.

Ver. 8. - We, therefore, ought to support such. The pronoun is very emphatic. If no help comes from the heathen, we must give it; that we may become their fellow-workers for the truth. Just as the apostle warned the elect lady that to welcome and support preachers of false doctrine is to partake in their evils works ( 2 John 1:11 ), so he encourages Gains and his friends with the thought that to welcome and support preachers of the truth is to partake in their good works. It is the Master's teaching in another form, "He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward" ( Matthew 10:41 ). 3 John 1:8

Ought (ὀφείλομεν) See on 1 John 2:6. To receive (ἀπολαμβάνειν) The best texts read ὑπολαμβάνειν to support; 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.

8 . We therefore ] ‘We’ is in emphatic contrast to the heathen just mentioned. The Apostle softens the injunction by including himself: comp. 1 John 2:1 . ought to receive such ] Or, ought to support such , to undertake for them: the verb ( ὑπολαμβάνειν not ἀπολαμβάνειν ) occurs elsewhere in N.T. only in S. Luke’s writings, and there with a very different meaning. Comp. Xen. Anab. I. i. 7. There is perhaps a play upon words between the missionaries taking nothing from the Gentiles, and Christians being therefore bound to undertake for them. that we might be fellowhelpers to ] Rather, that we may become fellow - workers with . ‘Fellow-workers’ rather than ‘fellow-helpers’ on account of 3 John 1:5 ; see also on 2 John 1:11 . Cognate words are used in the Greek, and this may as well be preserved in the English. ‘Fellow-workers’ with what? Not with the truth, as both A.V. and R.V. lead us to suppose; but with the missionary brethren. In N.T. persons are invariably said to be ‘fellow-workers of ’ ( Romans 16:3 ; Romans 16:9 ; Romans 16:21 ; 1 Corinthians 3:9 ; 2 Corinthians 1:24 ; Php 2:25 ; Php 4:3 ; [ 1 Thessalonians 3:2 ;] Philemon 1:24 ), never ‘fellow-workers to ’ or ‘fellow-workers with :’ those with whom the fellow-worker works are put in the genitive, not in the dative. The dative here is the dativus commodi , and the meaning is; that we may become their fellow-workers for the truth .