Yuēhànsānshū 1

1 Zuò zhǎnglǎo de xiĕ xìn gĕi qīnaì de Gāiyóu , jiù shì wǒ chéng xīn suǒ aì de .

2 Qīnaì de xiōngdi a , wǒ yuàn nǐ fán shì xīngshèng , shēntǐ jiànzhuàng , rú nǐde línghún xīngshèng yíyàng .

3 Yǒu dìxiōng lái zhèngmíng nǐ xīnli cún de zhēnlǐ , zhèng rú nǐ àn zhēnlǐ ér xíng , wǒ jiù shèn xǐlè .

4 Wǒ tīngjian wǒde érnǚ men àn zhēnlǐ ér xíng , wǒde xǐlè jiù méiyǒu bǐ zhège dà de .

5 Qīnaì de dìxiōng a , fán nǐ xiàng zuò kèlǚ zhī dìxiōng suǒ xíng de , dōu shì zhōngxīn de ;

6 Tāmen zaì jiàohuì miànqián zhèngmíng le nǐde aì . nǐ ruò peì de guò shén , bāng zhù tāmen wàng qián xíng , zhè jiù hǎo le .

7 Yīn tāmen shì wèi zhǔ de míng ( yuánwén zuò nà míng ) chū waì , duì yú waìbāngrén yī wú suǒ qǔ .

8 Suǒyǐ wǒmen yīnggāi jiēdaì zhèyàng de rén , jiào wǒmen yǔ tāmen yītóng wèi zhēnlǐ zuò gōng .

9 Wǒ céng lǜelǜe de xiĕ xìn gĕi jiàohuì . dàn nà zaì jiàohuì zhōng hào wéi shǒu de Diūtèféi bù jiēdaì wǒmen .

10 Suǒyǐ wǒ ruò qù , bìyào tí shuō tā suǒ xíng de shì . jiù shì tā yòng è yán wàng lùn wǒmen . hái bù yǐ cǐ wéi zú , tā zìjǐ bù jiēdaì dìxiōng , yǒu rén yuànyì jiēdaì , tā yĕ jìnzhǐ , bìngqiĕ jiāng jiēdaì dìxiōng de rén gǎn chū jiàohuì .

11 Qīnaì de xiōngdi a , búyào xiàofǎ è , zhǐyào xiàofǎ shàn . xíng shàn de shǔ hū shén . xíng è de wèicéng jiàn guò shén .

12 Dīmǐdiū xíng shàn yǒu zhòngrén gĕi tā zuò jiànzhèng . yòu yǒu zhēnlǐ gĕi tā zuò jiànzhèng . jiù shì wǒmen yĕ gĕi tā zuò jiànzhèng . nǐ yĕ zhīdào wǒmen de jiànzhèng shì zhēn de .

13 Wǒ yuán yǒu xǔduō shì yào xiĕ gĕi nǐ , què bú yuànyì yòng bǐ mò xiĕ gĕi nǐ .

14 Dàn pànwàng kuaì kuaì de jiàn nǐ , wǒmen jiù dāngmiàn tánlùn .(1:15) Yuàn nǐ píngān . zhòng wèi péngyou dōu wèn nǐ ān . qǐng nǐ tì wǒ àn zhe xìngmíng wèn zhòng wèi péngyou ān .

Yuēhànsānshū 1 Commentary

Chapter 1

This epistle is addressed to a converted Gentile. The scope is to commend his stedfastness in the faith, and his hospitality, especially to the ministers of Christ.

- The apostle commends Gaius for piety and hospitality. (1-8) Cautions him against siding with Diotrephes, who was a turbulent spirit; but recommends Demetrius as a man of excellent character. (9-12) He hopes soon to see Gaius. (13,14)

Verses 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.

Verses 9-12 Both the heart and mouth must be watched. The temper and spirit of Diotrephes was full of pride and ambition. It is bad not to do good ourselves; but it is worse to hinder those who would do good. Those cautions and counsels are most likely to be accepted, which are seasoned with love. Follow that which is good, for he that doeth good, as delighting therein, is born of God. Evil-workers vainly pretend or boast acquaintance with God. Let us not follow that which is proud, selfish, and of bad design, though the example may be given by persons of rank and power; but let us be followers of God, and walk in love, after the example of our Lord.

Verses 13-14 Here is the character of Demetrius. A name in the gospel, or a good report in the churches, is better than worldly honour. Few are well spoken of by all; and sometimes it is ill to be so. Happy those whose spirit and conduct commend them before God and men. We must be ready to bear our testimony to them; and it is well when those who commend, can appeal to the consciences of such as know most of those who are commended. A personal conversation together often spares time and trouble, and mistakes which rise from letters; and good Christians may well be glad to see one another. The blessing is, Peace be to you; all happiness attend you. Those may well salute and greet one another on earth, who hope to live together in heaven. By associating with and copying the example of such Christians, we shall have peace within, and live at peace with the brethren; our communications with the Lord's people on earth will be pleasing, and we shall be numbered with them in glory everlasting.