The Pulpit Commentary — 3 John — Section 14

dition. His soul wns prospering; he was therefore a man for whom this might bo eafoly sought. He wss making a good use of his means in the interest of the trnth and s0 his health was precious. ,vhat, then, John wishes for Gains is in effect this~ mo~ means and bet#er health, that he might have more to serve God with. 1'ho more that such a man as Gsius had, the more good he would do. Dut we cannot snfely wish for evcr_y ma.n more moans a.nd better health. That might only mean more to servo the den! with. What some need is to get a severe check in business, to bo la.id down o"n a bed of sickness ; a.nd our wish for them may justly be tbnt this should happen to them, mt.hcr than that they should lo8e their souls. From this it will bo seen that a Chrblian may be justified in seeking the utmost success in business and the largest mea,m.re ef health, provided his motive is to have more means and hotter health with which to serve God. This may be a greater spur to diligence than even the desire to ~mass wealth, being attended with the advant~ge that it leaves the mind free and huoyant. Let us learn the benefit of well-wuihing. It was no small thing to have John a.s a well-wisher, both from the office which he held and his great spiritual experience; and the likelihood was that Gaius would get more means and better health becau~e of the aged apostle's wish. Let us, in our letters or otherwise, wish our friends well in their worldly &flairs and in their health, not without regard to the degree in which their souls prosper, and God will see to our wishes taking effect. 2. His relation to tJ-~ truth rejoice,/, i1i. (1) 'Fruth app1·opriated. "For I rejoiced greatly, when brethren came a.nd bare witness unto thy truth." The joy of John wa.s great because of brethren arriving a.ad testifyia:i; to the reception of the truth by Gaius. It is men- tioneri here a.s that on which his soul-prosperity depended. One of the lessons taught by the open flower in the ornamentation of the temple was receptivity. " It lies open to catch the sunshine, a.nd to drink the rain and the dew, shuts up when the sun departs, but expands itself again when the sun's rays touch it. By reception the plant and the flower live; and by reception tbe soul of man lives and grows." We are to be careful to gh·e the srml its proper nourishment, which is the truth: thoughts of God's love, thoughts of his ends in our life. If we entertain false views of God and of life1 we are really taking poison into our soul'I. Gaius felt the need of the truth to nourish and beautify him. "Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts." This Gaius ha.d; by assimilation, it had become part of his being. (2) Truth carried out into conduct. "Even a.e thou wa.lkest in truth." This was more tha.n receiving the truth, being its proper consequent. The reception of the truth appeared (so tha.t brethren could testify to it) in a. higher style of conduct. It is under sunny skies tha.t the finest colouring in nature is to be found. It is in good society that the finest accent is to be found. So it is those who move within the circle of the Divine thoughts, lie open to the Divine influences, tha.t a.tta.in to the most attractive style of life. Brethren carry a.way a good report of them, which is cheering to the souls of veterans. .Appended comment emphasizing the apostle's joy. "Greater joy ha.ve I none tha.n this, to hear of my children walking in the truth." The reception of the truth was implied in walking in t.he truth; therefore it wa.e enough to note the latter. There were many to whom John stood in the relation of spirit'U<Ufather (more than those who owed to him their spiritual birth); he wa.e no i:tra.nger to fatherly joy. ADd what gave him joy? To hear of his children, that they were prospering in their worldly affairs, that they were enjoying good health, that they were exempted from persecution. It did cheer him to hear of their lower prosperity; hut what cheered him, with more rdreshing influence, wa.s to hear of their soul-prosperity, a.s evidence in their walking in the truth. 3. Practice of hospitality. (1) Commended. "Beloved, thou doest a faithful work in whatsoever thou doest toward them that are brethren and strangers withal." The truth binds the whole wa.lk; it special,ly hound Gaius in the practice of hospitality. While just, he made a free use of his means. The objects of his hospitality were brethren, as it appears, missionary brethre14 and missionary brethren who were strangers to him, and therefore hnd no claim on him beyond their Christian position and calling. He ha.d opportunity of rendenng them service beyond simply entertaining them; and, whatever service he rendered, he did it as the truth required, i.e. handsomely. ,(2) Witnessed t-0. "Who bare witness to thy love before the Church." It was love that moved Ga.ius to serve the missionary brethren; and they were mindful of services rendered. On their return to the Church over which John presided, in giving an account of their missic,nary labours, }...;....14,] THE TIDRD EPISTLE OF JOHN. 15