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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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on the Whole Bible</h1>
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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[<A HREF="MHC64001.HTM">Previous</A>]
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<TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="TOP">
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1721)
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</TD></TR></TABLE>
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
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<CENTER>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>T H I R D J O H N.</B></FONT>
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<BR>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. I.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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</CENTER>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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In this epistle the apostle congratulates Gaius upon the prosperity of
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his soul
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=3Jo+1:1,2">ver. 1, 2</A>),
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upon the fame he had among good Christians
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=3Jo+1:3,4">ver. 3, 4</A>),
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and upon his charity and hospitality to the servants of Christ,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=3Jo+1:5,6">ver. 5, 6</A>.
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He complains of contemptuous treatment by an ambitious Diotrephes,
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=3Jo+1:9,10">ver. 9, 10</A>),
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recommends Demetrius,
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=3Jo+1:12">ver. 12</A>),
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and expresses his hope of visiting Gaius shortly,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=3Jo+1:13,14">ver. 13, 14</A>.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="3Jo1_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="3Jo1_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Salutation and Prayer.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT VALIGN=BOTTOM><FONT SIZE=-1>A. D.</FONT> 90.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the
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truth.
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2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and
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be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Here we see, I. The sacred penman who writes and sends the letter; not
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here indeed notified by his name, but a more general character: <I>The
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elder,</I> he that is so by years and by office; honour and deference
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are due to both. Some have questioned whether this were John the
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apostle or no; but his style and spirit seem to shine in the epistle.
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Those that are beloved of Christ will love the brethren for his sake.
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Gaius could not question from whom the letter came. The apostle might
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have assumed many more illustrious characters, but it becomes not
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Christ's ministers to affect swelling pompous titles. He almost levels
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himself with the more ordinary pastors of the church, while he styles
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himself the elder. Or, possibly, most of the extraordinary ministers,
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the apostles, were now dead, and this holy survivor would countenance
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the continued standing ministry, by assuming the more common title--the
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elder. <I>The elders I exhort, who am also an elder,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Pe+5:1">1 Pet. v. 1</A>.</P>
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<P>
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II. The person saluted and honoured by the letter. The former is
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directed to an elect lady, this to a choice gentleman; such are worthy
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of esteem and value. He is notified,
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1. By his name,--<I>Gaius.</I> We read of several of that name,
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particularly of one whom the apostle Paul baptized at Corinth, who
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possibly might be also the apostle's host and kind entertainer there
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+16:23">Rom. xvi. 23</A>);
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if this be not he, it is his brother in name, estate, and disposition.
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Then,
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2. By the kind expressions of the apostle to him: <I>The
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well-beloved,</I> and <I>whom I love in the truth.</I> Love expressed
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is wont to kindle love. Here seems to be either the sincerity of the
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apostle's love or the religion of it. The sincerity of it: <I>Whom I
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love in the truth,</I> for the truth's sake, as abiding and walking in
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the truth as it is in Jesus. To love our friends for the truth's sake
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is true love, religious gospel love.</P>
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<P>
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III. The salutation or greeting, containing a prayer, introduced by an
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affectionate compellation--<I>Beloved,</I> thou beloved one in Christ.
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The minister who would gain love must show it himself. Here is,
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1. The apostle's good opinion of his friend, that his <I>soul
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prospered.</I> There is such a thing as soul-prosperity--the greatest
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blessing on this side heaven. This supposes regeneration, and an inward
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fund of spiritual life; this stock is increasing, and, while spiritual
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treasures are advancing, the soul is in a fair way to the kingdom of
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glory.
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2. His good wish for his friend that his body may <I>prosper and be in
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health</I> as well as his soul. Grace and health are two rich
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companions; grace will improve health, health will employ grace. It
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frequently falls out that a rich soul is lodged in a crazy body; grace
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must be exercised in submission to such a dispensation; but we may well
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wish and pray that those who have prosperous souls may have healthful
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bodies too; their grace will shine in a larger sphere of activity.</P>
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<A NAME="3Jo1_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="3Jo1_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="3Jo1_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="3Jo1_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="3Jo1_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="3Jo1_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Character of Gaius.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT VALIGN=BOTTOM><FONT SIZE=-1>A. D.</FONT> 90.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>3 For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified
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of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.
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4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in
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truth.
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5 Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the
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brethren, and to strangers;
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6 Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church:
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whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort,
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thou shalt do well:
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7 Because that for his name's sake they went forth, taking
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nothing of the Gentiles.
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8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be
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fellowhelpers to the truth.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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In these verses we have,</P>
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<P>
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I. The good report that the apostle had received concerning this friend
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of his: <I>The brethren came and testified of the truth that is in
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thee</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=3Jo+1:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>),
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<I>who have borne witness of thy charity before the church,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=3Jo+1:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>.
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Here we may see,
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1. The testimony or thing testified concerning Gaius--the truth that
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was in him, the reality of his faith, the sincerity of his religion,
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and his devotedness to God; and this evinced by his charity, which
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includes his love to the brethren, kindness to the poor, hospitality to
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Christian strangers, and readiness to accommodate them for the service
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of the gospel. Faith should work by love; it gives a lustre in and by
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the offices of love, and induces others to commend its integrity.
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2. The witnesses-brethren that came from Gaius testified and bore
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witness. A good report is due from those who have received good;
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though a good name is but a small reward for costly service, yet it is
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<I>better than precious ointment,</I> and will not be refused by the
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ingenuous and religious.
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3. The auditory or judicatory before which the report and testimony
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were given--<I>before the church.</I> This seems to be the church at
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which the apostle now resided. What church this was we are not sure;
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what occasion they had thus to testify his faith and love before the
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church we cannot tell; possibly out of the fulness of the heart the
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mouth spoke; they could not but testify what they found and felt;
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possibly they would engage the church's prayer for the continued life
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and usefulness of such a patron, that he might <I>prosper and be in
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health as his soul prospered.</I></P>
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<P>
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II. The report the apostle himself gives of him, introduced by an
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endearing appellation again: <I>Beloved, thou doest faithfully
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whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=3Jo+1:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>.
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1. He was hospitable, good to the brethren, even to strangers; it was
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enough to recommend them to Gaius's house that they belonged to Christ.
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Or he was good to <I>the brethren</I> of the same church with himself,
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and to those who came from far; all who were of the household of faith
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were welcome to him.
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2. He seems to have been of a catholic spirit; he could overlook the
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petty differences among serious Christians, and be communicative to all
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who bore the image and did the work of Christ. And,
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3. He was conscientious in what he did: "<I>Thou doest faithfully</I>
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(thou makest faithful work of) <I>whatsoever thou doest;</I> thou doest
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it as a faithful servant, and from the Lord Christ mayest thou expect
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the reward of the inheritance." Such faithful souls can hear their own
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praises without being puffed up; the commendation of what is good in us
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is designed, not for our pride, but for our encouragement to continue
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therein, and should be accordingly improved.</P>
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<P>
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III. The apostle's joy therein, in the good report itself, and the good
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ground of it: <I>I rejoiced greatly when the brethren came and
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testified,</I> &c.,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=3Jo+1:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>.
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<I>I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in the
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truth,</I> in the prescripts of the Christian religion. The best
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evidence of our having the truth is our <I>walking in the truth.</I>
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Good men will greatly rejoice in the soul-prosperity of others; and
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they are glad to hear of the grace and goodness of others. <I>They
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glorified God in me.</I> Love envieth not, but rejoiceth in the good
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name of other folks. As it is joy to good parents, it will be joy to
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good ministers, to see their children evidence their sincerity in
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religion, and adorn their profession.</P>
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<P>
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IV. The direction the apostle gives his friend concerning further
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treatment of the brethren that were with him: <I>Whom if thou bring
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forward on their journey, after a godly sort, thou shalt do well.</I>
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It seems to have been customary in those days of love to attend
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travelling ministers and Christians, at least some part of their road,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+16:6">1 Cor. xvi. 6</A>.
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It is a kindness to a stranger to be guided in his way, and a pleasure
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to travellers to meet with suitable company: this is a work that may be
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done <I>after a godly sort,</I> in a manner worthy of God, or suitable
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to the deference and relation we bear to God. Christians should
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consider not only what they must do, but what they may do, what they
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may most honourably and laudably do: <I>the liberal mind deviseth
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liberal</I> generous <I>things.</I> Christians should do even the
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common actions of life and of good-will after a godly sort, as serving
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God therein, and designing his glory.</P>
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<P>
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V. The reasons of this directed conduct; these are two:--
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1. <I>Because that for his name's sake these brethren went forth,
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taking nothing of the Gentiles.</I> It appears thus that these were
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ministerial brethren, that they went forth to preach the gospel and
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propagate Christianity; possibly they might be sent out by this apostle
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himself: they went forth to convert the Gentiles; this was excellent
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service: they went forth for God and his name's sake; this is the
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minister's highest end, and should be his principal spring and motive,
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to gather and to build up a people for his name: they went forth also
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to carry a free gospel about with them, to publish it without charge
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wherever they came: <I>Taking nothing of the Gentiles.</I> These were
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worthy of double honour. There are those who are not called to preach
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the gospel themselves who may yet contribute to the progress of it. The
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gospel should be made without charge to those to whom it is first
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preached. Those who know it not cannot be expected to value it;
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churches and Christian patriots ought to concur to support the
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propagation of holy religion in the pagan countries; public spirits
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should concur according to their several capacities; those who are
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freely communicative of Christ's gospel should be assisted by those who
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are communicative of their purses.
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2. <I>We ought therefore to receive such, that we may be fellow-helpers
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to the truth,</I> to true religion. The institution of Christ is the
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true religion; it has been attested by God. Those that are true in it
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and true to it will earnestly desire, and pray for, and contribute to,
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its propagation in the world. In many ways may the truth be befriended
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and assisted; those who cannot themselves proclaim it may yet receive,
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accompany, help, and countenance those who do.</P>
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<A NAME="3Jo1_9"> </A>
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<A NAME="3Jo1_10"> </A>
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<A NAME="3Jo1_11"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Character of Diotrephes.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT VALIGN=BOTTOM><FONT SIZE=-1>A. D.</FONT> 90.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>9 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have
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the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.
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10 Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he
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doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content
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therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and
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forbiddeth them that would, and casteth <I>them</I> out of the church.
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11 Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is
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good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath
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not seen God.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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I. Here is a very different example and character, an officer, a
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minister in the church, less generous, catholic, and communicative than
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the private Christians. Ministers may sometimes be out-shone, out-done.
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In reference to this minister, we see,</P>
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<P>
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1. His name--a Gentile name: <I>Diotrephes,</I> attended with an
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unchristian spirit.</P>
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<P>
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2. His temper and spirit--full of pride and ambition: <I>He loves to
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have the pre-eminence.</I> This ferment sprang and wrought betimes. It
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is an ill unbeseeming character of Christ's ministers to love
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pre-eminence, to affect presidency in the church of God.</P>
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<P>
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3. His contempt of the apostle's authority, and letter, and friends.
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(1.) Of his authority: <I>The deeds which he doeth</I> contrary to our
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appointment, <I>prating against us with malicious words.</I> Strange
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that the contempt should run so high! But ambition will breed malice
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against those who oppose it. Malice and ill-will in the heart will be
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apt to vent themselves by the lips. The heart and mouth are both to be
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watched.
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(2.) Of his letter: "<I>I wrote to the church</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=3Jo+1:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>),
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namely, in recommendation of such and such brethren. <I>But Diotrephes
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receiveth us not,</I> admits not our letter and testimony therein."
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This seems to be the church of which Gaius was a member. A gospel
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church seems to be such a society as to which a letter may be written
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and communicated. Gospel churches may well expect and be allowed
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credentials with the strangers who desire to be admitted among them.
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The apostle seems to write by and with these brethren. To an ambitious
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aspiring spirit apostolical authority or epistle signifies but little.
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(3.) Of his friends, the brethren he recommended: <I>Neither doth he
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himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth those that would, and
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casteth them out of the church,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=3Jo+1:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>.
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There might be some differences or different customs between the Jewish
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and Gentile Christians. Pastors should seriously consider what
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differences are tolerable. The pastor is not at absolute liberty, nor
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lord over God's heritage. It is bad to do no good ourselves; but it is
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worse to hinder those who would. Church-power and church-censures are
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often abused. Many are cast out of the church who should be received
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there with satisfaction and welcome. But woe to those who cast out the
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brethren whom the Lord Christ will take into his own communion and
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kingdom!</P>
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<P>
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4. The apostle's menace of this proud domineerer: <I>Wherefore, if I
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come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=3Jo+1:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>),
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will remember to censure them. This seems to intimate apostolical
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authority. But the apostle seems not to hold an episcopal court, to
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which Diotrephes must be summoned; but he will come to take cognizance
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of this affair in the church to which it belongs. Acts of
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ecclesiastical domination and tyranny ought to be animadverted upon.
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May it be better agreed to whom that power belongs!</P>
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<P>
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II. Here is counsel upon that different character, dissuasion from
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copying such a pattern, and indeed any evil at all: <I>Beloved, follow
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not that which is evil, but that which is good,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=3Jo+1:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>.
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Imitate not such unchristian pernicious evil; but pursue the contrary
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good, in wisdom, purity, peace, and love. Caution and counsel are not
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needless to those who are good already. Those cautions and counsels are
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most likely to be accepted that are seasoned with love. <I>Beloved,
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follow not that which is evil.</I> To this caution and counsel a reason
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is respectively subjoined.
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1. To the counsel: <I>Follow that which is good;</I> for <I>he that
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doeth good</I> (naturally and genuinely doeth good, as delighting
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therein) <I>is of God,</I> is born of God. The practice of goodness is
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the evidence of our filial happy relation to God.
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2. To the caution: <I>Follow not that which is evil,</I> for <I>he that
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doeth evil</I> (with bent of mind pursues it) <I>hath not seen God,</I>
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is not duly sensible of his holy nature and will. Evil-workers vainly
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pretend or boast an acquaintance with God.</P>
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<A NAME="3Jo1_12"> </A>
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<A NAME="3Jo1_13"> </A>
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<A NAME="3Jo1_14"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec4"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Character of Demetrius; Conclusion and Salutation.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT VALIGN=BOTTOM><FONT SIZE=-1>A. D.</FONT> 90.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>12 Demetrius hath good report of all <I>men,</I> and of the truth
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itself: yea, and we <I>also</I> bear record; and ye know that our
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record is true.
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13 I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen
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write unto thee:
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14 But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak
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face to face. Peace <I>be</I> to thee. <I>Our</I> friends salute thee.
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Greet the friends by name.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Here we have, I. The character of another person, one <I>Demetrius,</I>
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not much known otherwise. But here his name will live. A name in the
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gospel, a fame in the churches, is better than that of sons and
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daughters. His character was his commendation. His commendation was,
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1. General: <I>Demetrius has a good report of all men.</I> Few are well
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spoken of by all; and sometimes it is ill to be so. But universal
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integrity and goodness are the way to (and sometimes obtain) universal
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applause.
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2. Deserved and well founded: <I>And of the truth itself,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=3Jo+1:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>.
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Some have a good report, but not of the truth itself. Happy are those
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whose spirit and conduct commend them before God and men.
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3. Confirmed by the apostle's and his friends' testimony: <I>Yea, and
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we also bear record;</I> and that with an appeal to Gaius's own
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knowledge: <I>And you</I> (you and your friends) <I>know that our
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record is true.</I> Probably this Demetrius was known to the church
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where the apostle now resided, and to that where Gaius was. It is good
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to be well known, or known for good. We must be ready to bear our
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testimony to those who are good: it is well for those who are commended
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when those who commend them can appeal to the consciences of those who
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know them most.</P>
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<P>
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II. The conclusion of the epistle, in which we may observe,
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1. The referring of some things to personal interview: <I>I have many
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things to write, but I will not with ink and pen, but I trust I shall
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shortly see thee,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=3Jo+1:13,14"><I>v.</I> 13, 14</A>.
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Many things may be more proper for immediate communication than for
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letter. A little personal conference may spare the time, trouble, and
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charge, of many letters; and good Christians may well be glad to see
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one another.
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2. The benediction: <I>Peace be to you;</I> all felicity attend you.
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Those that are good and happy themselves wish others so too.
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3. The public salutation sent to Gaius: <I>Our friends salute thee.</I>
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A friend to the propagation of religion deserves a common remembrance.
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And these pious persons show their friendship to religion as well as to
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Gaius.
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4. The apostle's particular salutation of the Christians in Gaius's
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church or vicinity: <I>Greet thy friends by name.</I> I doubt they were
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not very many who must be so personally saluted. But we must learn
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humility as well as love. The lowest in the church of Christ should be
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greeted. And those may well salute and greet one another on earth who
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hope to live together in heaven. And the apostle who had lain in
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Christ's bosom lays Christ's friends in his heart.</P>
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