Greeting from the Elder
(3 John 1:1-4)
1The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth; 2For the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever. 3Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
Walking in the Truth
(John 8:31-41)
4I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father. 5And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another. 6And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.
Beware of Deceivers
7For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. 8Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. 9Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. 10If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: 11For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
Final Greetings
12Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.
13The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen.
King James Bible
Text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.
A Greeting from the Elder
(3 John 1:1–4)
1 The elder, to the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in truth; and not I only, but also all those who know the truth; 2 for the truth’s sake, which remains in us, and it will be with us forever: 3 Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
Walking in the Truth
(John 8:30–47)
4 I rejoice greatly that I have found some of your children walking in truth, even as we have been commanded by the Father. 5 Now I beg you, dear lady, not as though I wrote to you a new commandment, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another. 6 This is love, that we should walk according to his commandments. This is the commandment, even as you heard from the beginning, that you should walk in it.
Beware of Deceivers
7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who don’t confess that Jesus Christ came in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the Antichrist. 8 Watch yourselves, that we don’t lose the things which we have accomplished, but that we receive a full reward. 9 Whoever transgresses and doesn’t remain in the teaching of Christ, doesn’t have God. He who remains in the teaching, the same has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you, and doesn’t bring this teaching, don’t receive him into your house, and don’t welcome him, 11 for he who welcomes him participates in his evil works.
Conclusion
(3 John 1:13–14)
12 Having many things to write to you, I don’t want to do so with paper and ink, but I hope to come to you, and to speak face to face, that our joy may be made full.
13 The children of your chosen sister greet you. Amen.
A Greeting from the Elder
(3 John 1:1–4)
1 The elder,
To the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in the truth—and not I alone, but also all who know the truth— 2 because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever:
3 Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, will be with us in truth and love.
Walking in the Truth
(John 8:30–47)
4 I was overjoyed to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father has commanded us. 5 And now I urge you, dear lady—not as a new commandment to you, but one we have had from the beginning—that we love one another. 6 And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the very commandment you have heard from the beginning, that you must walk in love.
Beware of Deceivers
7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world, refusing to confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist. 8 Watch yourselves, so that you do not lose what we have worked for, a but that you may be fully rewarded. 9 Anyone who runs ahead without remaining in the teaching of Christ does not have God. Whoever remains in His teaching has both the Father and the Son.
10 If anyone comes to you but does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your home or even greet him. 11 Whoever greets such a person shares in his evil deeds.
Conclusion
(3 John 1:13–14)
12 I have many things to write to you, but I would prefer not to do so with paper and ink. Instead, I hope to come and speak with you face to face, b so that our joy may be complete.
13 The children of your elect sister send you greetings. c
Footnotes:
8 a NE and WH what you have worked for
12 b Literally mouth to mouth
13 c BYZ and TR include Amen.
Greeting from the Elder
(3 John 1:1-4)
1The Elder to the choice Kyria, and to her children, whom I love in truth, and not I only, but also all those having known the truth, 2because of the truth that is remaining in us, and with us shall be to the age, 3there shall be with you grace, kindness, peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
Walking in the Truth
(John 8:31-41)
4I rejoiced exceedingly that I have found of thy children walking in truth, even as a command we did receive from the Father; 5and now I beseech thee, Kyria, not as writing to thee a new command, but which we had from the beginning, that we may love one another, 6and this is the love, that we may walk according to His commands; this is the command, even as ye did hear from the beginning, that in it ye may walk,
Beware of Deceivers
7because many leading astray did enter into the world, who are not confessing Jesus Christ coming in flesh; this one is he who is leading astray, and the antichrist. 8See to yourselves that ye may not lose the things that we wrought, but a full reward may receive; 9every one who is transgressing, and is not remaining in the teaching of the Christ, hath not God; he who is remaining in the teaching of the Christ, this one hath both the Father and the Son; 10if any one doth come unto you, and this teaching doth not bear, receive him not into the house, and say not to him, 'Hail!' 11for he who is saying to him, 'Hail,' hath fellowship with his evil works.
Final Greetings
12Many things having to write to you, I did not intend through paper and ink, but I hope to come unto you, and speak mouth to mouth, that our joy may be full;
13salute thee do the children of thy choice sister. Amen.
The Favor of God paraphrase
A Letter from the Elder to the Chosen Lady and Her Children
¹ From the elder, to the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in the truth—and not just I, but all who know the truth— ² because of the truth that lives in us and will be with us forever: ³ Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, will be with us in truth and love.
Walking in the Commandments of Love
⁴ I was overjoyed to find that some of your children are walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us. ⁵ And now, dear lady, I am not writing to you with a new command but one we have had from the beginning: Love one another! ⁶ And this is love: that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, that you must walk in it.
Warning Against Deception
⁷ Many deceivers have gone out into the world, people who do not acknowledge that Jesus Christ came in the flesh. Such a person is the deceiver and the antichrist. ⁸ Watch out! Be careful that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may receive your full reward. ⁹ Anyone who goes too far and does not remain in the teaching of Christ does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. ¹⁰ If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not welcome them into your house or give them any encouragement. ¹¹ Anyone who welcomes them shares in their evil work.
Final Greetings
¹² I have much more to write to you, but I do not want to do so with paper and ink. Instead, I hope to come to you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete. ¹³ The children of your sister, who is also chosen, send their greetings.
Footnotes:
1.“The elder” traditionally refers to John, the apostle, but the title emphasizes his role as a senior figure in the community and a shepherd of the faith.
2.The “chosen lady” is likely a metaphor for a church, and “her children” refers to its members. It’s also possible that this refers to an actual woman and her family.
3.The Greek word for “truth” (ἀλήθεια, alētheia) here not only refers to doctrinal correctness but also encompasses living in God’s reality and moral integrity.
4.The command to “love one another” is a theme central to Johannine writings (John 13:34). It’s a recurring command because of its foundational role in Christian life.
5.The phrase “many deceivers” references early heresies like Gnosticism, which denied Jesus’ incarnation. The term “antichrist” (ἀντίχριστος, antichristos) here denotes anyone opposed to Christ’s true nature and work.
6.Verse 8 warns believers to guard their faith and works against false teachers, indicating that rewards in heaven can be affected by deception or wavering from the truth.
7.John’s desire to speak “face to face” reflects the warmth and personal connection valued in early Christian fellowship, contrasting with the limitations of written communication.
