3 John 1:7

7 They started out in service to Christ, and they have been accepting nothing from nonbelievers.

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 My dear friend, it is good that you help the brothers and sisters, even those you do not know.
6 They told the church about your love. Please help them to continue their trip in a way worthy of God.
7 They started out in service to Christ, and they have been accepting nothing from nonbelievers.
8 So we should help such people; when we do, we share in their work for the truth.
9 I wrote something to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be their leader, will not listen to us.
Scripture taken from the New Century Version. Copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.