They have testified to the church about your love.This phrase highlights the commendation of Gaius, the recipient of the letter, for his demonstration of Christian love. In the early church, hospitality was a crucial expression of love, especially towards traveling missionaries and teachers. The testimony given to the church indicates that Gaius's actions were not only noticed but also celebrated among the believers. This aligns with the broader New Testament teaching on love as a defining characteristic of Christian discipleship (
John 13:35). The early church often met in homes, and the sharing of resources and hospitality was vital for the spread of the Gospel. This testimony serves as an encouragement for believers to continue in love and good works (
Hebrews 10:24).
You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God.
This phrase underscores the importance of supporting those who are engaged in ministry. The phrase "in a manner worthy of God" suggests that the support given should reflect the character and generosity of God Himself. This is a call to excellence in hospitality and provision, ensuring that those who labor for the Gospel are well cared for. The early church relied heavily on the support of local believers to sustain itinerant preachers and missionaries. This practice is echoed in other New Testament writings, such as Paul's encouragement to the Philippians for their partnership in the Gospel (Philippians 4:15-18). The phrase also implies a sense of stewardship and responsibility, reminding believers that their actions should honor God and advance His kingdom.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
John the ApostleThe author of the letter, one of Jesus' original twelve disciples, known for his close relationship with Christ and his emphasis on love and truth.
2.
GaiusThe recipient of the letter, a beloved member of the early Christian community, known for his hospitality and support of traveling missionaries.
3.
The ChurchThe broader Christian community that serves as a witness to Gaius's love and hospitality.
4.
Traveling MissionariesIndividuals who were spreading the Gospel and relied on the support and hospitality of local believers like Gaius.
5.
The TestimonyThe report given by the missionaries to the church about Gaius's love and support.
Teaching Points
The Importance of HospitalityHospitality is a tangible expression of Christian love and support for the mission of the Gospel.
Gaius's example shows that even seemingly small acts of kindness can have a significant impact on the spread of Christianity.
Living a Testimony of LoveOur actions should reflect the love of Christ, serving as a testimony to others.
Gaius's love was evident to the church, demonstrating the power of living out one's faith.
Supporting God's WorkSupporting those who are actively spreading the Gospel is a way to participate in God's mission.
Sending missionaries "in a manner worthy of God" means providing for their needs generously and respectfully.
Community and AccountabilityThe church serves as a community that witnesses and affirms the actions of its members.
Being accountable to the church encourages believers to live out their faith authentically.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of 3 John 1:6?
2.How can we "send them on their way" in a manner pleasing to God?
3.What does 3 John 1:6 teach about hospitality towards fellow believers?
4.How does 3 John 1:6 connect with Matthew 25:40 on serving others?
5.In what ways can your church support traveling missionaries today?
6.How can you personally apply the principles of 3 John 1:6 this week?
7.How does 3 John 1:6 emphasize the importance of hospitality in Christian practice?
8.What does 3 John 1:6 reveal about early Christian community support?
9.How does 3 John 1:6 challenge modern Christians to support missionaries?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 3 John 1?
11.How do we harmonize 3 John 1's emphasis on truth and hospitality with other New Testament passages that appear to prioritize different virtues?
12.What does loving Jesus entail?
13.If 1 Corinthians 3:17 insists God will destroy those who destroy His temple, how does this square with passages elsewhere emphasizing mercy and forgiveness?
14.What is Religious Science?What Does 3 John 1:6 Mean
They have testified- “They” points to itinerant brothers who had stayed with Gaius and then reported back to the apostle John.
- Their witness is a reminder that a believer’s daily conduct is observed and spoken of (cf.1 Timothy 3:7, “He must have a good reputation with outsiders,”).
- Scripture consistently values reliable testimony (Deuteronomy 19:15;Acts 6:3). Here, the report is entirely positive, showing that genuine Christian love will not stay hidden (Matthew 5:16).
to the church- The report was given openly before the assembled believers, not in private. That public setting heightens the importance of Gaius’s example (Acts 14:27, “When they arrived and gathered the church together, they reported all that God had done,”).
- Healthy churches celebrate and imitate what God is doing in individuals (Philippians 3:17).
- By placing Gaius’s story before the body, John strengthens the congregation and offers a living illustration of1 John 3:18, “let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth,”.
about your love- “Love” here is not sentiment; it is concrete, sacrificial hospitality toward traveling ministers (v. 5).
- This echoesHebrews 13:2, “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers,”, and1 Peter 4:9, “Show hospitality to one another without complaining,”.
- Gaius’s care reflects Christ’s own love (John 13:35). What he did for these workers he effectively did for Christ Himself (Matthew 25:40).
You will do well- John gently urges, “Keep going; do not let up.” Encouragement like this guards believers from weariness (Galatians 6:9).
- The phrase carries apostolic approval: continuing in such behavior pleases God (Philippians 4:8–9).
- It also signals that obedient action should follow the commendation; love is ongoing, not a one-time deed (James 1:22).
to send them on their way- In the first-century church, “sending on one’s way” meant supplying food, money, letters of commendation, and safe escort (Acts 15:3;Romans 15:24).
-Titus 3:13 offers the same charge: “Diligently help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way,”.
- Such practical partnership makes every supporter a sharer in gospel fruit (Philippians 4:17).
in a manner worthy of God- The ultimate standard is not convenience but God’s own character (Colossians 1:10, “walk in a manner worthy of the Lord,”).
- Treating Christ’s servants as Christ Himself (Matthew 10:40) displays reverence for the One who sent them.
- Generosity, respect, and excellence all flow from remembering Whose name we bear (1 Thessalonians 2:12).
summaryThe verse praises Gaius’s proven love, urges him to keep helping traveling ministers, and sets God’s honor as the measure for that help. Christian love is visible, publicly celebrated, and expressed through tangible support that reflects the worthiness of the God we serve.
Ver. 6. -
Who bare witness to thy love before the Church. The thoroughly Greek word
ἐκκλησία (which, however, had received a number of Jewish associations through its frequent use in the Septuagint)is used by St. John nowhere but in this Epistle. This witness of the brethren before the Church respecting the good deeds done to them is a type and earnest of the witness of Christ at the day of judgment: "I was a stranger, and ye took me in... Inasmuch as ye did it unto one of these my brethren, even these least, ye did it unto me."
Whom thou wiltdo well to forward on their journey in a manner worthyof God. No higher standard could well be set. It reminds us of "perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect" Gains is to treat them as remembering the Divine declaration, "He that receiveth whomsoever I send, receiveth me; and he that receiveth me, receiveth him that sent me" (
John 13:20). This coincidence, consciously or unconsciously made, between the Gospel and Third Epistle, is lost in the rather colourless rendering in the Authorized Version, "after a godly sort."
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
[They]οἳ(hoi)Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3739:Who, which, what, that.have testifiedἐμαρτύρησάν(emartyrēsan)Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 3140:To witness, bear witness, give evidence, testify, give a good report. From martus; to be a witness, i.e. Testify.toἐνώπιον(enōpion)Preposition
Strong's 1799:Neuter of a compound of en and a derivative of optanomai; in the face of.[the] churchἐκκλησίας(ekklēsias)Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 1577:From a compound of ek and a derivative of kaleo; a calling out, i.e. a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation.about yourσου(sou)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4771:You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.love.ἀγάπῃ(agapē)Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 26:From agapao; love, i.e. Affection or benevolence; specially a love-feast.You will doποιήσεις(poiēseis)Verb - Future Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4160:(a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.wellκαλῶς(kalōs)Adverb
Strong's 2573:Well, nobly, honorably, rightly. Adverb from kalos; well.to send them on their wayπροπέμψας(propempsas)Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4311:To send forward, accompany, equip for a journey. From pro and pempo; to send forward, i.e. Escort or aid in travel.in a manner worthyἀξίως(axiōs)Adverb
Strong's 516:Worthily, in a manner worthy of. Adverb from axios; appropriately.of God.Θεοῦ(Theou)Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316:A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.
Links
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NT Letters: 3 John 1:6 They have testified about your love before (3J iiiJ 3Jn iii jn 3 jo) 
