The Pulpit Commentary — 3 John — Section 15

they told, ia presence of tho Church, how well they bad been treated by Gaius. Thus the things which were lovely became also the things of good report. (3) Encoura,qed. "Whom thou wilt do well to set forward on their journey worthily of God." 'fhe missioaary brethren were returning to their labours his way; the apostle, therefore, bespeaks for them a good reception. Let him follow up his former kindnesses, and set them forward on their journey, by providing the necessary rest, and also, a.~ is su,..geHted by what follows, by making some provision against their futnre needs. He w:.~ to rlo this worthily of God, i.e. as representing to them the Divine solicitude. They were de~erving. "Because that for the sake of the Name they went forth, taking nothin~ of the Gentiles." 'fhe Jews "besought Jesus earnestly for the centurion, saying, He is worthy that thou shouldest do this for him: for he loveth our nation, and himself built us our syaagogue." The missionary brethren were worthy that Gaius should assist them by seUing them forward on their journey. It was for the sake of the Name that they went forth, i.e. "not for their own occasions and earthly interests," but that the Name of Christ might be magnified. They went forth from the home Church (which was limited in its resources) to convert the Gentiles. That they might not hinder their aim by the appearance of being mercenary, they chose (so far as it was necessary) to labour with their own bands, rather than take from the Gentiles. 'l'he accomplishment of their aim, in the formation of a Gentile Christian Church (to be cared for by others while they went further on), was work to which the building of a sacred house was secondary. It was work fitted to exalt the Nam!', showing the power of Divine love over the hard- ness of men's hearts and the evils of Gentilism. They, then, whose missionary zeal was kindled by the Name must not be overlooked. They were representatives r:f the truth. "We therefore ought to welcome such, that we may be fellow-helpers with the truth." We are to think of Gaius, in accordance with his known character, taking the burden (so we may translate) for these men-making them happy while in his house, and contributing not only for the journey, but for the end of the journey, so that with disengaged hands they might begin their mission; and thus, while not proclaiming the truth himself, earning the praise of being a "fellow-helper with the truth." There is an obligation lying on us to take the burden for the missionaries. While, in the interest of the truth, they go forth as bearers of the truth to the heathen, we are, by our con- tributions, to leave their hands and minds free for their proper work; thus, while not bearers of the truth ourselves (from want of opportunity and qualifications), having an interest in the truth, and having the satisfaction and honour of being" fellow-helpers with the truth." II. DroTREPBES. 1. Bis resistance of John's authority. "I wrote somewhat unto the Church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the pre-eminence among them, receiveth us not." The particular Church is not named ; but we must understand it to be that to which Gaius belonged, so that we have a new element introduced. Gaius entertained the stranger missionaries in the face of opposition. The opposition came from Diotrephes. The occasion was a Jetter from John. 'l'his letter has not been preserved; we· must think of it as containing a request to tbe Church to give a favourable reception to the missionarie~. The request was only reasonable; but Diotrephes opposed it, not because he disliked John's teaching, or the teaching of the missionaries, but simply because he wished to assert bis personal authority. He belonged to the class of those who love to have the pre-eminence; who are bent, not on the peace and prosperity of the Church, but on their being first in the Church, even at the expense of its peace and prosperity. .And this ambitious member or office-bearer of the Church succeeded for a time; he tasted the sweets of ecclesiastical power, in getting a majority to agree with him against the apostle. We come here upon the design of this Jett.er to Gaius. 2. Bis coming defeat. "Therefore, if I come, I will bring to remembrance his works which he doeth, prating against us with wicked words: and not content there- with, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and them that would he forbiddeth, and casteth them out of the Church." Diotrephes did not gain his victory without working for it. Hie works, however, were not such as could bear to be remembered. His punishment would be, on the coming of John, to have his works brought to remembrance. Their true valuation would be his dethronement from power. What he did was to speak against John and his friends. While his words were null, they were mischievous. Not content with speaking, he had recourse to action. He set the example 16 THE TMRD EPISTLE OF JOHN. [1-1'.