The Pulpit Commentary — 3 John — Section 8

2. Tiie person by whom it had been l!CIJ6rcised. Gaius. But St. John in the text sets forth the exercise of hospitality &s specially becoming in Christil\ns. He speaks of it RB "a faithful work," i.e. a work worthy of a faithful man or a Christian. Hospitality is fr0que11tly in the sacred Scriptures enjoined upon ChristiRns RB a duty (Rom. xii.18 • Heb. xiii. 2 ; 1 Pet. iv. 9). St. Paul mrntions it as one of the duties of a Christia~ bishop (1 Tim. iii. 2; Titus i. 8). At the last judgment, one reason for the reward of the good is thRt they exerci~ed hospitality, and one of the charges upon which the wicked will be condemned is the neglect of hospitality (Matt. xxv. 34-46). Accord- ingly, we find that the "p1imitive Christians considered one principal part of their duty to consist in showing hospitality to strangers. 'l'hey were, in fact, so ready in dis- charging this duty, that the very heathen admired them for it. They were hospitahlo t-0 all strangers, but especially to those who were of the household of faith. Believers scarcely ever travelled without letters of communion, which testified the purity of thl'ir faith, and procured for them a favourable reception wherever the name of Jesus Christ was known" (Calmet). We also find that the hospitality of Gains was hearty; for the brethren whom he bad entertained testified to bis love (ver. 6). "'fbere is," saya Wasbiogton Ining, "an emanation from the heart in genuine hospitality which cannot be drscribed, but is immediately felt, and puts the stranger at once at bis ease." As occasion requires it, hospitality is still a Christian duty. II. HosPITALITY ACKNOWLEDGED. "\Vho bare witness to thy love before the Church." The evangelists, when they returned to the Church from which they bad been sent forth on their work, ga"l""e an account of their mission, and in so doing testified to the hearty hospitality of Gaius. This report of Gaius differed from that of a. minister of whom I have read. This minister "had travelled far to preach for a congregation a.t - - . After the sermon, he waited, expecting some one would ask him to dinner. At length, the place becoming almost empty, he mustered courage, and walked up to an old gentleman, and so.id, 'Will you go home and dine with me to-day, brother?' •·where do you live?' "About twenty miles from bere,eir.' 'No;' said the man, colouring, • but you must go with me.' • Thank you; I will, cheerfully.' After this the minister was never troubled about his dinner." Gllllf!!'fully to testify to kindness like that of Gaius must be a delight to those who are worthy recipients of it. IIL HosPITALITY ENCOURAGED. " Whom thou wilt do well to set forward on their journey worthily of God." This refers to a second visit to Gaius, in which they prob- e.bi_, brought this letter with them. To set them forward was to enable them to proceed onward by furnishing them with necessaries for the journey. Here is an admirable rule for regulating the exercise of our hospitality-" worthily of God;" Alford, "In a manner worthy of him whose messengers they a.re and whose servant thou art." We should show kindness as becometb the followers of him" who giveth to all liberally a.nu upbraideth not." "It would,'' says Barnes, "be particularly expected of Christians that they should show hospitality to the ministers of religion. 'Ibey were commonly poor; they received no fixed salary; they travelled from place to place; and they would be dependent for suppo_rt on the kindness of those who loved the Lord Jesus Christ" (cf. Matt. x. 9-15). The exercise of this duty is often richly rewarded in the present. Certain and splendid is its reward in the future (Matt. x. 40-42 ; :u.v. 34-36).-W. J. Vers. 7, 8.-Missionary workers and hilper,. "Because that for his Name's sake they went forth," etc. The Bible is remarkable for its universality. Either directly or ioferentially, it has something of importance and value to say on almost everything which affects human life and interests. It throws light on many modern questions; and in studying it we are often agreeably surprised to find directions and hints touch- ing many ibings which we regard as quite modern, and concerning which we had not expected to find much sul!gestion or light in its pages. Thus in this short letter we have borne apostolic notes on Christian missions, which are as applicable to missionary enterprise new a.s they were to the mission work of the Church eighteen hundred years ago. Here are notes on- I. Miss10NABY WORKERS. "For the sake of the Name they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles." Notice: 1. The 'ITWtive of these OJvristian misawnaria. "For the ake of the Na.me they went forth.'' In JJl that we do we are IMltuated by 1-U.] THE THIRD EPISTLE OF JOHN. 9