Dual Panel1THE ELDERLY elder [of the church addresses this letter] to the beloved (esteemed) Gaius, whom I truly love.
2Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in every way and [that your body] may keep well, even as [I know] your soul keeps well {and} prospers.
3In fact, I greatly rejoiced when [some of] the brethren from time to time arrived and spoke [so highly] of the sincerity {and} fidelity of your life, as indeed you do live in the Truth [the whole Gospel presents].
4I have no greater joy than this, to hear that my [spiritual] children are living their lives in the Truth.
5Beloved, it is a fine {and} faithful work that you are doing when you give any service to the [Christian] brethren, and [especially when they are] strangers.
6They have testified before the church of your love {and} friendship. You will do well to forward them on their journey [and you will please do so] in a way worthy of God's [service].
7For these [traveling missionaries] have gone out for the Name's sake (for His sake) and are accepting nothing from the Gentiles (the heathen, the non-Israelites).
8So we ourselves ought to support such people [to welcome and provide for them], in order that we may be fellow workers in the Truth (the whole Gospel) {and} cooperate with its teachers.
9I have written briefly to the church; but Diotrephes, who likes to take the lead among them {and} put himself first, does not acknowledge my authority {and} refuses to accept my suggestions {or} to listen to me.
10So when I arrive, I will call attention to what he is doing, his boiling over {and} casting malicious reflections upon us with insinuating language. And not satisfied with that, he refuses to receive {and} welcome the [missionary] brethren himself, and also interferes with {and} forbids those who would welcome them, and tries to expel (excommunicate) them from the church.
11Beloved, do not imitate evil, but imitate good. He who does good is of God; he who does evil has not seen (discerned or experienced) God [has enjoyed no vision of Him and does not know Him at all].
12Demetrius has warm commendation from everyone--and from the Truth itself; we add our testimony also, and you know that our testimony is true.
13I had much [to say to you when I began] to write, but I prefer not to put it down with pen (a reed) and ink;
14I hope to see you soon, and we will talk together face to face. (1:15) Peace be to you! (Good-bye!) The friends here send you greetings. Remember me to the friends there [to every one of them personally] by name.