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CHAPTER 1John commends Gaius for his help to those who love the truth. |
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1 The
eldera unto the wellbeloved Gaius,
whom I love in the truth.
2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. 3 For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth. |
1a The elder John, the author of this epistle, refers to himself simplely as 'the elder'. In all of John's writings he is so reluctant to name himself by name. Thus here he merely states himself as an 'elder' of the church, which to Latter-day Saints is a familiar title which refers to a General Authority of the Church. That John would so name himself as 'the elder' might be that John is at this juncture of time the only remaining apostle yet living. Either that or the translator of the text has miss applied the article 'the' which so exclusively sets forth John in such a manner to presuppose that John is 'the elder' above such as Peter or any other. This is not the nature of John except in such a case as that being where he would actually be the sole remaining elder. If an error in translation a better 'article' than 'the' would have been 'an', thus stating 'An elder' and implying that there are indeed others yet living. But as we know that John was indeed to become the sole living aposlte, all the others having died, there is real room to consider that John's usage so implies here that at this time he is the sole living apostle left in the chruch. | |
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4 I have no greater ajoy than to hear
that my
bchildrena
cwalk in truth.
5 Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the abrethren, and to bstrangers; 6 Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well: |
4a my children Here again it would be presumptuous for John to refer to a body of the members of the church simply as 'my children' unless either John is at this time the sole surviving apostle and head of the church, or these indeed are but John's converts alone. We know that a Bishop of a ward is considered the 'father of the ward' and the ward members to be his children. That this is the distinct relationship between John and those to whom he writes as members of the church is not beyond possibility, for there was indeed a period of time were John was the sole remaining head of the church with such high position of authority and responsibility over it of those who remained faithful in the faith, such as Gaius is here considered. The only other possibility here is quite remote to even consider that John could be referencing his own personal children of parenthood. | |
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7 Because that for his name's sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.
8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth. |
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9 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth
to have the apreeminence among them,
breceiveth us not.
10 Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, aprating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church. |
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11 Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that
which is good. He that doeth agood is of God: but he that
doeth evil hath not seen God.
12 Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our arecord is true. |
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13 I had many things to write, but I will not with
ink and pen awrite unto thee:
14 But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name. |
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