3 John 1:14 - Printer Friendly

ESV: I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face. [15]Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends, each by name.

NIV: I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face. Peace to you. The friends here send their greetings. Greet the friends there by name.

NASB: but I hope to see you shortly, and we will speak face to face. [15]Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.

CSB: I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face. [15] Peace to you. The friends send you greetings. Greet the friends by name.

NLT: For I hope to see you soon, and then we will talk face to face. [15]Peace be with you. Your friends here send you their greetings. Please give my personal greetings to each of our friends there.

KJV: 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.

NKJV: but I hope to see you shortly, and we shall speak face to face. Peace to you. Our friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.

John plans to personally visit Gaius and his congregation. This short note introduces what John wants to discuss in person (3 John 1:13). This explains why 3 John is so brief, and suggests its time frame. Third John would have been written when a church was more likely to be visited by a traveling teacher than an apostle. John was not yet on the island of Patmos, where he penned Revelation. This suggests some time around AD 80, after Domitian was emperor and John wrote his other letters. John had likely been to Gaius's church before and knew some of its members. The Greek phrase used here is stoma pro stoma, which makes no sense if translated literally into English as "mouth to mouth." Instead, it is better translated as "face to face," which is how John wants to discuss these issues with Gaius. Then, as now, there is a difference between remote conversations and personal contact.

Some translations move the final farewell phrase to a 15th verse. John also mentions peace in 2 John 1:3, and six times in the gospel of John (John 14:27 twice; John 16:33; John 20:19; John 20:21; John 20:26) and twice in Revelation (Revelation 1:4; Revelation 6:4).

Third John 1:11–14 (15) encourages Gaius to follow good examples. In the previous verses, John condemned the actions of a man named Diotrephes. Rather than being arrogant and unwelcoming, Gaius is to follow those who seem to have “seen God.” One of these may be Demetrius, who is mentioned immediately afterwards. Third John not only emphasizes “truth,” but the importance of copying godly behaviors, not evil ones. This passage concludes his letter.

Third John is a short letter from the apostle John to a fellow Christian, Gaius. John emphasizes the importance of “truth,” which is mentioned a half-dozen times. The passage highlights the need for Christians to support each other, so that missionaries and evangelists don’t depend on the support of non-believers. John’s words also speak against church leaders who are more interested in reputation and power than submission to the truth.

Third John consists of just one chapter. This is a short letter from the apostle John to a fellow believer, Gaius. “Truth” is mentioned six times in this book's brief 15 verses. Gaius is praised for his commitment to Christian service. At the same time, John condemns the actions of Diotrephes, a church member causing problems. After mentioning the good reputation of a man named Demetrius, John closes his letter in the hope of coming to see Gaius face-to-face. This upcoming meeting seems to be why the letter is so short.