1. ‘O 7rps<r(3vTspoc, The Elder) This Epistle also has three parts: —
I. The Inscription, ver. 1-2.
II. The Commendation of those who practise hospitality : in which —
1. He approves of the former benefits of Caius, ver.
2-6.
2. He draws forth the commendation itself, introducing
reasons and examples on both sides [of a good and of the opposite character], ver. 6-12.
III. The Conclusion, ver. 13-15.
— Pafy, to Caius) Caius of Corinth, who is mentioned Rom. xvi. 23, either closely resembled this Caius, the friend of J ohn, in his hos- pitality, or he was the same person : if he were the same person, he either migrated from Achaia into Asia, or John sent this letter to Corinth.
2. ’Ayacnjrs, beloved) This expression occurs three times, in ver. 2, 5, 11. — nspi ndvruv, respecting all things) that which relates to all parts [in all respects]. — evodoucdai, to prosper) in property, etc. — iyiuivsiv, to be in health) in body. — xuOuc;, even as) Where the soul is in health, it is possible for all things to be in health.
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3. ’E^apriv, I rejoiced) This is enlarged upon in ver. 4. — yap, for ) A healthy state of the soul is known by the works ; and the prayers of the righteous further this state. — -/.aQug, even as) is explanatory. — au) thou ; opposed to Diotreph.es , ver. 9.
4. Toutuv) than these , joys.
5. Uitfrbv eroisTg, thou doest faithfully) thou doest something, which I readily promised myself and the brethren from you. Thus what- ever harmonises. — Ipyacy, thou shalt do) in the labour of love. — xat) and , that which is of the greatest consequence, to strangers in par- ticular.
6. ’Ei itLmot h/.7cXr) nag, before the Church) These examples were pub- licly mentioned, for encouragement, [in a very familiar method. — V. g.] — %a\obg eroiyjffsig, thou shalt do well) A characteristic [polite] form of exhortation. Thus it is used in the past and the present time, to express approbation : Thou hast spoken well — Thou hast done well , etc., Luke xx. 39 ; Acts x. 33 ; Mark vii. 37 ; John iv. 17, xiii. 13 ; James ii. 8, 19 ; 2 Pet. i. 19. — npoers^ag, bringing for- ward on their journey) with provision for the way, Tit. iii. 13. Con- tinue to afford benefits even to the end. — a^iug rou ©sou, as is worthy of God) He, who honours such as are described in the following verse, honours God.
7. ToD ovo/narog, the name) Understand, of God: Lev. xxiv. 11. Comp. James ii. 7. — [s^Xdov, they went forth) either as exiles, or as preachers of the Gospel. — V. g.] — [iribtv, nothing) They waived that to which they were justly entitled ; and either received no reward for their labour, or submitted to the spoiling of their goods. — aero, from) Construct this with they went forth.
8. 2uvspyoi, fellow-helpers) that we may assist the truth, so that it may not be hindered.
9. "Eypa-^a, I wrote) concerning these things. That epistle is not extant. — rjj UxXrida, to the church) of that place from which they went forth : ver. 7. Here is the anticipation of an objection : lest Caius should say, Why do they come to us ? — 6 <pi\oerpursvuv auruv , who wishes to be the first of them) If even then, during the life of the apostle, Diotrephes< exalted himself, what was not the case after- wards?— iiiU'Ug, ws) who commend them, and those who are commended by us.
10. ’Ea vsXOoj, if 1 shall come) Ver. 14. — twro/Avjj<rw, I will remind him) A Metonymia of the antecedent for the consequent : that is, I will notice (punish), I will set a mark of censure upon, so that be may feel. — a oyoig erovripoTg, with malicious words) by which he endeavours to