3 John 1:7

7 since they set out for the sake of the name, accepting nothing from pagans.

3 John 1:7 Meaning and Commentary

3 John 1:7

Because that for his name's sake they went forth
From Judea; either of their own accord to preach the Gospel, or being drove out by the unbelieving Jews, for professing the name of Christ; and be it which it will, there was good reason why they should be regarded, and especially since they did as follows,

taking nothing of the Gentiles;
even of those who were converted, though their preaching the Gospel, to whom they ministered, for of others, the unconverted Gentiles, they could not expect to receive; and this they did, as the apostles before them, because they would not be chargeable to them, and lest it should be thought they sought their own worldly interest, and not the good of souls and glory of Christ, and so a stumblingblock be laid in the way of the Gospel, to hinder the progress of it. The Ethiopic version reads this in the singular number, "and I went forth for his name's sake, taking nothing of the Gentiles".

3 John 1:7 In-Context

5 Dear friend, you are showing your faith by whatever you do for the brothers, and this [you are doing] for strangers;

6 they have testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God,

7 since they set out for the sake of the name, accepting nothing from pagans.

8 Therefore, we ought to support such men, so that we can be co-workers with the truth.

9 I wrote something to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have first place among them, does not receive us.