3 John 1:8

8 We must support believers who go on trips like this so that we can work together with them in spreading the truth.

3 John 1:8 Meaning and Commentary

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".

3 John 1:8 In-Context

6 These believers have told the congregation about your love. You will do well to support them on their trip in a way that proves you belong to God.
7 After all, they went on their trip to serve the one named Christ, and they didn't accept any help from the people to whom they went.
8 We must support believers who go on trips like this so that we can work together with them in spreading the truth.
9 I wrote a letter to the congregation. But Diotrephes, who loves to be in charge, won't accept us.
10 For this reason, when I come I will bring up what he's doing. He's not satisfied with saying malicious things about us. He also refuses to accept the believers [we send] as guests. He even tries to stop others who want to accept them and attempts to throw those people out of the congregation.
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