Greeting to Gaius from the Elder
(2 John 1:1-3)
1The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.
2Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. 3For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth. 4I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
Gaius' Example of Hospitality
5Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers; 6Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well: 7Because that for his name's sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles. 8We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.
Diotrephes and Demetrius
9I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. 10Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.
11Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God. 12Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true.
Conclusion
13I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee:
14But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name.
King James Bible
Text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.
A Greeting from the Elder
(2 John 1:1–3)
1 The elder to Gaius the beloved, whom I love in truth.
2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be healthy, even as your soul prospers. 3 For I rejoiced greatly, when brothers came and testified about your truth, even as you walk in truth. 4 I have no greater joy than this, to hear about my children walking in truth.
Gaius Commended for Hospitality
5 Beloved, you do a faithful work in whatever you accomplish for those who are brothers and strangers. 6 They have testified about your love before the assembly. You will do well to send them forward on their journey in a way worthy of God, 7 because for the sake of the Name they went out, taking nothing from the Gentiles. 8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.
Diotrephes and Demetrius
9 I wrote to the assembly, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, doesn’t accept what we say. 10 Therefore, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words. Not content with this, neither does he himself receive the brothers, and those who would, he forbids and throws out of the assembly.
11 Beloved, don’t imitate that which is evil, but that which is good. He who does good is of God. He who does evil hasn’t seen God. 12 Demetrius has the testimony of all, and of the truth itself; yes, we also testify, and you know that our testimony is true.
Conclusion
(2 John 1:12–13)
13 I had many things to write to you, but I am unwilling to write to you with ink and pen;
14 but I hope to see you soon, and we will speak face to face. Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.
A Greeting from the Elder
(2 John 1:1–3)
1 The elder,
To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth:
2 Beloved, I pray that in every way you may prosper and enjoy good health, as your soul also prospers. 3 For I was overjoyed when the brothers came and testified about your devotion to the truth, in which you continue to walk. 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
Gaius Commended for Hospitality
5 Beloved, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers, and especially since they are strangers to you. 6 They have testified to the church about your love. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God. 7 For they went out on behalf of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. 8 Therefore we ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers for the truth.
Diotrephes and Demetrius
9 I have written to the church about this, a but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not accept our instruction. 10 So if I come, I will call attention to his malicious slander against us. And unsatisfied with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers and forbids those who want to do so, even putting them out of the church.
11 Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God.
12 Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself. We also testify for him, and you know that our testimony is true.
Conclusion
(2 John 1:12–13)
13 I have many things to write to you, but I would prefer not to do so with pen and ink. 14 Instead, I hope to see you soon and speak with you face to face. b
Peace to you.
The friends here send you greetings.
Greet each of our friends there by name.
Footnotes:
9 a Literally I have written something to the church
14 b Literally and we will speak mouth to mouth ; some translators begin a new verse (15) after face to face.
Greeting to Gaius from the Elder
(2 John 1:1-3)
1The Elder to Gaius the beloved, whom I love in truth!
2beloved, concerning all things I desire thee to prosper, and to be in health, even as thy soul doth prosper, 3for I rejoiced exceedingly, brethren coming and testifying of the truth in thee, even as thou in truth dost walk; 4greater than these things I have no joy, that I may hear of my children in truth walking.
Gaius' Example of Hospitality
5Beloved, faithfully dost thou do whatever thou mayest work to the brethren and to the strangers, 6who did testify of thy love before an assembly, whom thou wilt do well, having sent forward worthily of God, 7because for His name they went forth, nothing receiving from the nations; 8we, then, ought to receive such, that fellow-workers we may become to the truth.
Diotrephes and Demetrius
9I did write to the assembly, but he who is loving the first place among them -- Diotrephes -- doth not receive us; 10because of this, if I may come, I will cause him to remember his works that he doth, with evil words prating against us; and not content with these, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and those intending he doth forbid, and out of the assembly he doth cast.
11Beloved, be not thou following that which is evil, but that which is good; he who is doing good, of God he is, and he who is doing evil hath not seen God; 12to Demetrius testimony hath been given by all, and by the truth itself, and we also -- we do testify, and ye have known that our testimony is true.
Conclusion
13Many things I had to write, but I do not wish through ink and pen to write to thee,
14and I hope straightway to see thee, and mouth to mouth we shall speak. Peace to thee! salute thee do the friends; be saluting the friends by name.
The Favor of God paraphrase
A Letter from the Elder to Gaius
¹ From the elder, to my dear friend Gaius, whom I love in the truth.
² Beloved friend, I pray that everything is going well for you and that you are in good health, just as your soul is flourishing.
³ It gave me great joy when some of the brothers came and testified about your faithfulness to the truth, how you continue to walk in it.
⁴ I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
Commendation of Hospitality and Love
⁵ Dear friend, you are being faithful in what you are doing for the brothers, even though they are strangers to you.
⁶ They have testified about your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God.
⁷ They have gone out for the sake of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles.
⁸ Therefore, we ought to support such people, so that we may be fellow workers for the truth.
Warning about Diotrephes’ Behavior
⁹ I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not welcome us.
¹⁰ So when I come, I will call attention to what he is doing, spreading malicious nonsense about us. Not satisfied with that, he even refuses to welcome the brothers. He also stops those who want to welcome them and puts them out of the church.
Commendation of Demetrius
¹¹ Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.
¹² Demetrius is well spoken of by everyone—and even by the truth itself. We also speak well of him, and you know that our testimony is true.
Final Greetings
¹³ I have much to write to you, but I do not want to do so with pen and ink.
¹⁴ I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face. Peace to you. The friends here send their greetings. Greet the friends there by name.
Footnotes:
1.“The elder” refers to John the apostle, highlighting his role as a senior leader in the Christian community. The use of “elder” conveys both age and spiritual authority.
2.“Gaius” is a common name in the New Testament, and while several people by this name are mentioned, this Gaius was likely a respected Christian leader in his church, known for his hospitality and faithfulness.
3.The phrase “walking in the truth” refers not only to understanding correct doctrine but also to living in alignment with God’s teachings. The Greek word for “truth” (ἀλήθεια, alētheia) emphasizes the idea of reality, reliability, and faithfulness.
4.Hospitality to traveling preachers and missionaries was a crucial aspect of early Christian life. The brothers Gaius helped were likely itinerant teachers or evangelists who depended on local believers for support.
5.Diotrephes’ behavior represents an early form of church division, where personal pride and ambition disrupted the unity of the faith community. His refusal to acknowledge apostolic authority created conflict.
6.The testimony about Demetrius being “spoken well of by everyone” contrasts with Diotrephes, underscoring the importance of humility, integrity, and faithfulness in the Christian life.
7.“Face to face” meetings were considered the most effective way to resolve issues and strengthen relationships in the early church. Personal communication carried a sense of urgency and affection that written letters could not fully convey.
