Chapter: 1
INTRODUCTION
1 The Presbyter,
To Gaius, my dear friend, whom I love in truth.
GAIUS
2 My dear friend, I pray that everything may go well with you and that you may be in good health. I know that all goes well with your soul.
3 I was delighted when our brethren arrived and told me about your pious life which is governed by the rules of our faith. 4 My greatest joy is to hear that my children live in accordance with our doctrine.
5 My dear friend, you are rendering a great service to our faith when you help our missionary brethren, whom you have never seen before. 6 They have testified of your charity before the Church. You will do well to help them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of the service of God.
7 As you know, they have set out for the service of the Lord, and they are accepting no help from Gentiles. 8 Consequently, we must welcome them, and cooperate with them for the benefit of the Gospel.
DIOTREPHES AND DEMETRIUS
9 I have written to your Church officials. But Diotrephes, who likes to be their chief, does not recognize my authority. 10 Therefore when I come there, I will denounce his actions and his malicious gossip about me. Not content with that, he refuses to welcome the brethren himself, stops those who want to welcome them, and excommunicates them.
11 My dear friend, do not follow bad examples. Follow only good examples. Whoever does good comes from God. Whoever does evil has not seen God.
12 Demetrius has the good testimony of all, and of the Church itself. We also give him our testimony, and you know that our testimony is true.
13 I had much to write you, but I do not want to write it with pen and ink. 14 I hope, however, to visit you soon and tell you all about it by word of mouth.
15 Peace be to you. All your friends send you their greetings. Give my greetings to everyone of our friends.