To the Beloved Gaius
A personal note commending Gaius for his hospitality and faithfulness, and warning against a domineering leader.
1 1The elder, to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth.
2Beloved, I pray you prosper in every way and stay healthy, as your soul prospers. 3I rejoiced greatly when brothers arrived and testified about your faithfulness to the truth — for you truly are walking in it. 4I have no greater joy than this: to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
5Beloved, you act faithfully in all you do for the brothers, even strangers. 6They testified to your love before the church. Send them on in a way worthy of our Father. 7For they went out for the sake of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. a a v7 "The Name" refers to Jesus — these missionaries went out representing him and accepted no financial support from unbelievers. 8Therefore we ought to support such people, so that we may be fellow workers for the truth.
9I wrote something to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves being first among them, does not receive us. 10So if I come, I'll expose what he's doing — slandering us with malicious words. Not satisfied with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers, stops those who want to, and throws them out of the church.
11Beloved, don't imitate evil, but good. Whoever does good is from our Father; whoever does evil hasn't seen our Father. 12All speak well of Demetrius, and so does the truth. We testify too, and you know our testimony is true.
13I had much to write to you, but I would rather not write with pen and ink. 14I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face. 15Peace to you. The friends send their greetings. Greet each of the friends by name.
