The Meaning of 3 John 1:5 Explained

3 John 1:5

KJV: Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;

YLT: Beloved, faithfully dost thou do whatever thou mayest work to the brethren and to the strangers,

Darby: Beloved, thou doest faithfully in whatever thou mayest have wrought towards the brethren and that strangers,

ASV: Beloved, thou doest a faithful work in whatsoever thou doest toward them that are brethren and strangers withal;

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Beloved,  thou doest  faithfully  whatsoever  thou doest  to  the brethren,  and  to  strangers; 

What does 3 John 1:5 Mean?

Verse Meaning

John loved Gaius as Gaius loved the brethren to whom he had extended hospitality.
"The early Christian community"s deep interest in hospitality is inherited from both its Jewish roots and the Greco-Roman culture of its day." [1]
John"s affection for Gaius is obvious in his repeated use of the word "beloved" (cf. 3 John 1:2). Gaius acted faithfully in the sense that his behavior was consistent with God"s truth (cf. 2 John 1:1-2).
It is possible that Gaius had shown love "for the brethren and for strangers" as some Greek texts read. On the other hand, perhaps the NASB translation is correct: he showed love to the brethren and even to those brethren who were strangers to him. Probably Gaius had demonstrated love to all these varieties of people (cf. Hebrews 13:2).

Context Summary

3 John 1:1-14 - The Apostle's Joy
Again we meet the words love and truth. Transparency of speech and life is an essential condition of soul health. It would not be desirable to express the wish of 3 John 1:2 to all our friends, because if their bodies were to correspond to the condition of their souls, they would suddenly fall into ill-health. In the old legend mirrors were blurred with mist when any approached who were out of harmony with truth, 3 John 1:4.
The Christian must always act worthily of God, especially toward strangers, 3 John 1:5-6. "For the sake of the Name," 3 John 1:7, r.v.-as children we must maintain the family honor. Such hospitality makes us fellow-workers with the truth. There is a Boanergic touch in 3 John 1:10. The threefold witness to Demetrius should stir our desire to emulate his character. What will it not be when the dimness of earthly converse is exchanged for the face-to-face intercourse of eternity! 3 John 1:14 [source]

Chapter Summary: 3 John 1

1  He commends Gaius for his piety,
5  and hospitality,
7  to true preachers;
9  complaining of the unkind dealing of ambitious Diotrephes on the contrary side;
11  whose evil example is not to be followed;
12  and gives special testimony to the good report of Demetrius

Greek Commentary for 3 John 1:5

A faithful work [πιστον]
Either thus or “thou makest sure,” after an example in Xenophon quoted by Wettstein (ποιειν πιστα — poiein pista) and parallel to καινα ποιεω — kaina poieō in Revelation 21:5. But it is not certain. [source]
In whatsoever thou doest [ο εαν εργασηι]
Indefinite relative with modal εαν — ean (= αν — an) and the first aorist middle subjunctive of εργαζομαι — ergazomai See Colossians 3:23 for both ποιεω — poieō and εργαζομαι — ergazomai in the same sentence.And strangers withal (και τουτο χενους — kai touto xenous). “And that too” (accusative of general reference as in 1 Corinthians 6:6; Philemon 1:28; Ephesians 2:8). This praise of hospitality (Romans 12:13; 1 Peter 4:9; 1 Timothy 3:2; 1 Timothy 5:10; Titus 1:8; Hebrews 13:2) shows that in 2 John 1:10 John has a peculiar case in mind. [source]
And strangers withal [και τουτο χενους]
“And that too” (accusative of general reference as in 1 Corinthians 6:6; Philemon 1:28; Ephesians 2:8). This praise of hospitality (Romans 12:13; 1 Peter 4:9; 1 Timothy 3:2; 1 Timothy 5:10; Titus 1:8; Hebrews 13:2) shows that in 2 John 1:10 John has a peculiar case in mind. [source]
Thou doest faithfully [πιστὸν ποιεῖς]
Rev., thou doest a faithful work. A third interpretation is thou givest a pledge or guaranty, and a fourth, akin to this, thou makest sure. The Rev. is best. There is no parallel to justify the third and fourth. [source]
Thou doest [ἐργάσῃ]
Or lit., according to the eymology, workest ( ἔργον work). See on James 2:9. The distinction between this verb and others signifying to do, such as ποιεῖν , πράσσειν , δρᾶν , which last does not occur in the New Testament, is not sharply maintained in Attic Greek. In certain connections the difference between them is great, in others, it is hardly perceptible. On ποιεῖν and πρα.σσειν , see on John 3:21. Ἐργάζομαι , like πράσσειν , contemplates the process rather than the end of action, carrying the ideas of continuity and repetition. It means to labor, to be active, to perform, with the idea of continued exertion, and therefore is used of servants, or of those who have an assigned business or office. See Matthew 21:28; Matthew 25:26; Luke 13:14; John 5:17; John 6:27; John 9:4; 1 Thessalonians 2:9. For the phrase ἐργάσῃ εἰς thoudoest toward (Rev.), see Matthew 26:10. [source]
And to strangers [καὶ εἰς τοὺς ξένους]
The best texts read, instead of εἰς τοὺς tothe (strangers), τοῦτο , that; so that the sentence is, literally, “to them that are brethren, and that strangers.” For the phrase and that, compare 1 Corinthians 6:6; Philemon 1:28; Ephesians 2:8. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 3 John 1:5

Acts 10:33 Well [καλῶς]
You have done a courteous and handsome thing in coming. Compare 3 John 1:5, 3 John 1:6. [source]
1 Corinthians 9:6 Forbear working []
For their own support. Ἑργάζεσθαι towork, is the regular word for manual labor. See Matthew 21:28; Acts 18:3. See on 3 John 1:5; and see on trade, Revelation 18:17. [source]
1 Corinthians 1:14 Save Crispus and Gaius [ει μη Κρισπον και Γαιον]
Crispus was the ruler of the synagogue in Corinth before his conversion (Acts 18:8), a Roman cognomen, and Gaius a Roman praenomen, probably the host of Paul and of the whole church in Corinth (Romans 16:23), possibly though not clearly the hospitable Gaius of 3 John 1:5, 3 John 1:6. The prominence and importance of these two may explain why Paul baptized them. [source]
Galatians 6:10 Let us do good [ἐργαζώμεθα τὸ ἀγαθὸν]
Let us work the good. For the distinctive force of ἐργάζεσθαι see on 3 John 1:5; and for ποιεῖν todo, see on John 3:21. Comp. Colossians 3:23where both verbs occur. Τὸ ἀγαθὸν is, of course, the morally good as distinguished from what is merely useful or profitable, but includes what is beneficent or kindly. See Philemon 1:14; Ephesians 4:28; 1 Thessalonians 3:6; Romans 5:7. Here, in a general sense, embracing all that is specified in Galatians 6:1, Galatians 6:2, Galatians 6:3, Galatians 6:10. [source]
1 Timothy 5:10 Lodged strangers [ἐξενοδόχησεν]
N.T.oolxx. On the duty of hospitality comp. 1 Timothy 3:2; Matthew 25:35; Romans 12:13; Hebrews 13:2; 1 Peter 4:9; 3 John 1:5. [source]
1 Peter 4:9 Without murmuring [χωρις γογγυσμων]
Like chōris goggusmōn in Philemon 2:14. Complaint spoils hospitality. Jesus enjoined the entertainment of strangers (Matthew 25:35). Inns were rare and very poor. Hospitality made mission work possible (3 John 1:5). [source]
1 John 2:9 His brother [τὸν ἀδελφόν]
His fellow-Christian. The singular, brother, is characteristic of this Epistle. See 1 John 2:10, 1 John 2:11; 1 John 3:10, 1 John 3:15, 1 John 3:17; 1 John 4:20, 1 John 4:21; 1 John 5:16. Christians are called in the New Testament, Christians (Acts 11:26; Acts 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16), mainly by those outside of the Christian circle. Disciples, applied to all followers of Christ (John 2:11; John 6:61) and strictly to the twelve (John 13:5sqq.). In Acts 19:1, to those who had received only John's baptism. Not found in John's Epistles nor in Revelation. Brethren. The first title given to the body of believers after the Ascension (Acts 1:15, where the true reading is ἀδελφῶν brethrenfor μαθητῶν disciples). See Acts 9:30; Acts 10:23; Acts 11:29; 1 Thessalonians 4:10; 1 Thessalonians 5:26; 1 John 3:14; 3 John 1:5, 3 John 1:10; John 21:23. Peter has ἡ ἀδελφότης thebrotherhood (1 Peter 2:17; 1 Peter 5:9). The believers. Under three forms: The believers ( οἱ πιστοί ; Acts 10:45; 1 Timothy 4:12); they that believe ( οἱ πιστεύοντες ; 1 Peter 2:7; 1 Thessalonians 1:7; Ephesians 1:19); they that believed ( οἱ πιστεύσαντες ; Acts 2:44; Acts 4:32; Hebrews 4:3). The saints ( οἱ ἅγιοι ); characteristic of Paul and Revelation. Four times in the Acts (Acts 9:13, Acts 9:32, Acts 9:41; Acts 26:10), and once in Jude (Judges 1:3). Also Hebrews 6:10; Hebrews 13:24. In Paul, 1 Corinthians 6:1; 1 Corinthians 14:33; Ephesians 1:1, Ephesians 1:15, etc. In Revelation 5:8; Revelation 8:3, Revelation 8:4; Revelation 11:18, etc.|Until now ( ἕως ἄρτι )|Though the light has been increasing, and though he may claim that he has been in the light from the first. The phrase occurs in John 2:10; John 5:17; John 16:24; and is used by Paul, 1 Corinthians 4:13; 1 Corinthians 8:7; 1 Corinthians 15:6.| [source]
1 John 2:7 Beloved [αγαπητοι]
First instance of this favourite form of address in these Epistles (1 John 3:2, 1 John 3:21; 1 John 4:1, 1 John 4:7; 3 John 1:1, 3 John 1:2, 3 John 1:5, 3 John 1:11). [source]
3 John 1:1 The beloved [τωι αγαπητωι]
Four times in this short letter this verbal adjective is used of Gaius (here, 3 John 1:2, 3 John 1:5, 3 John 1:11). See 2 John 1:1 for the same phrase here, “whom I love in truth.” [source]
3 John 1:9 I wrote somewhat unto the church [εγραπσα τι τηι εκκλησιαι]
A few MSS. add αν — an to indicate that he had not written (conclusion of second-class condition), clearly spurious. Not epistolary aorist nor a reference to 2 John as Findlay holds, but an allusion to a brief letter of commendation (Acts 18:27; 2 Corinthians 3:1; Colossians 4:10) sent along with the brethren in 3 John 1:5-7 or to some other itinerant brethren. Westcott wrongly thinks that τι — ti is never used of anything important in the N.T. (Acts 8:9; Galatians 6:3), and hence that this lost letter was unimportant. It may have been brief and a mere introduction. Διοτρεπες — Diotrephes This ambitious leader and sympathiser with the Gnostics would probably prevent the letter referred to being read to the church, whether it was 2 John condemning the Gnostics or another letter commending Demetrius and John‘s missionaries. Hence he sends Gaius this personal letter warning against Diotrephes. [source]

What do the individual words in 3 John 1:5 mean?

Beloved faithfully you are doing whatever if you might have done toward the brothers and they are strangers
Ἀγαπητέ πιστὸν ποιεῖς ἐὰν ἐργάσῃ εἰς τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς καὶ τοῦτο ξένους

Ἀγαπητέ  Beloved 
Parse: Adjective, Vocative Masculine Singular
Root: ἀγαπητός  
Sense: beloved, esteemed, dear, favourite, worthy of love.
πιστὸν  faithfully 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: πιστός  
Sense: trusty, faithful.
ποιεῖς  you  are  doing 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 2nd Person Singular
Root: ποιέω  
Sense: to make.
  whatever 
Parse: Personal / Relative Pronoun, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: ὅς 
Sense: who, which, what, that.
ἐργάσῃ  you  might  have  done 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Subjunctive Middle, 2nd Person Singular
Root: ἐργάζομαι  
Sense: to work, labour, do work.
εἰς  toward 
Parse: Preposition
Root: εἰς  
Sense: into, unto, to, towards, for, among.
ἀδελφοὺς  brothers 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root: ἀδελφός  
Sense: a brother, whether born of the same two parents or only of the same father or mother.
τοῦτο  they  are 
Parse: Demonstrative Pronoun, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: οὗτος  
Sense: this.
ξένους  strangers 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root: ξένος  
Sense: a foreigner, a stranger.