1
Ὁ πρεσβύτερος Γαΐῳ τῷ ἀγαπητῷ, ὃν ἐγὼ ἀγαπῶ ἐν ἀληθείᾳ.
The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth.
The epistolary superscription. The author names himself only as 'the elder' (as in 2 John), and the addressee Gaius as 'beloved' — a designation repeated at vv.2, 5, 11. The keyword ἀλήθεια ('truth') sounds at once and will dominate the opening.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
ὉtheNominativearticle
πρεσβύτεροςelderNominativesubject (nominative of superscription)πρεσβύτερος: 'elder, old man'; the author's sole self-designation (so 2 John 1) — bespeaking age and recognized authority rather than a personal name.
Γαΐῳto GaiusDativeindirect object (addressee)Γάϊος: a common Roman praenomen; here a beloved believer commended for his hospitality — not certainly identifiable with others of the name in the NT.
τῷtheDativearticle
ἀγαπητῷbelovedDativeattributive adjectiveἀγαπητός: 'beloved'; from ἀγαπάω — the affectionate address to Gaius, recurring at vv.2, 5, 11.
ὃνwhomAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἀγαπῶ)
ἐγὼINominativesubject (emphatic personal pronoun)ἐγώ: the expressed pronoun adds emphasis — 'whom I myself love.'
ἀγαπῶlovePres Act Indic 1 Sg · ἀγαπάωmain verb (relative clause)→ stative/ongoing presentἀγαπάω: 'love'; the Johannine love-verb — Gaius is loved 'in truth,' genuinely and in the sphere of gospel reality.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere/manner)
ἀληθείᾳtruthDativedat. of sphere/manner (object of ἐν)ἀλήθεια: 'truth'; the letter's keyword (vv.1, 3 [×2], 4, 8, 12). ἐν ἀληθείᾳ = 'truly' and 'in the realm of the gospel truth' at once.
2
Ἀγαπητέ, περὶ πάντων εὔχομαί σε εὐοδοῦσθαι καὶ ὑγιαίνειν, καθὼς εὐοδοῦταί σου ἡ ψυχή.
Beloved, I pray that in all things you may prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers.
A conventional epistolary health-wish, Christianized: the elder prays for Gaius's bodily welfare 'even as' his soul already prospers. The comparison assumes Gaius's spiritual flourishing as the established benchmark — a delicate compliment.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
ἈγαπητέBelovedVocativevocative of addressἀγαπητός: 'beloved'; the direct address that opens new movements (cf. vv.5, 11).
περὶconcerning/inpreposition + genitive (reference)περί: 'concerning'; περὶ πάντων = 'in all respects, above all things.'
πάντωνall thingsGenitiveobject of περί (substantival adjective)πᾶς: 'all'; the neuter plural — 'in all things / above all.'
εὔχομαίI prayPres Mid Indic 1 Sg · εὔχομαιmain verb→ present (performative)εὔχομαι: 'pray, wish'; the deponent verb of the epistolary prayer-wish.
σεyouAccusativeaccusative subject of the infinitives
εὐοδοῦσθαιto prosperPres Pass Inf · εὐοδόωcomplementary infinitive (content of prayer)→ present (general)εὐοδόω: lit. 'have a good journey' (εὖ + ὁδός), hence 'prosper, get on well'; passive 'be prospered.' The verb is echoed of the soul in the comparison.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ὑγιαίνεινto be in healthPres Act Inf · ὑγιαίνωcomplementary infinitive (coordinate)→ present (general)ὑγιαίνω: 'be healthy, be well' (cf. 'hygiene'); bodily health, set beside the soul's prospering.
καθὼςeven ascomparative conjunctionκαθώς: 'just as, even as'; introduces the standard of comparison — the soul's known prosperity.
εὐοδοῦταίprospersPres Pass Indic 3 Sg · εὐοδόωverb of comparative clause→ stative/ongoing presentεὐοδόω: repeated of the soul — Gaius's spiritual flourishing is the assumed benchmark for the wish.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession
ἡtheNominativearticle
ψυχήsoulNominativesubject of εὐοδοῦταιψυχή: 'soul, inner life'; the whole inward person whose well-being is the measure of the prayer.
3
ἐχάρην γὰρ λίαν ἐρχομένων ἀδελφῶν καὶ μαρτυρούντων σου τῇ ἀληθείᾳ, καθὼς σὺ ἐν ἀληθείᾳ περιπατεῖς.
For I rejoiced greatly when brothers came and testified to your truth, even as you walk in the truth.
The γάρ supplies the occasion of the elder's confidence and joy: traveling brothers brought a good report of Gaius's 'truth.' The genitive-absolute construction (ἐρχομένων … μαρτυρούντων) recounts the recurring visits that prompted the rejoicing.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
ἐχάρηνI rejoicedAor Pass Indic 1 Sg · χαίρωmain verb→ constative aoristχαίρω: 'rejoice'; the (deponent) aorist passive ἐχάρην — joy at the brothers' report; cf. the 'greater joy' of v.4.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
λίανgreatlyadverb (degree)λίαν: 'very, exceedingly'; the intensity of the elder's joy.
ἐρχομένωνcomingPres Mid Ptc · Gen Pl Masc · ἔρχομαιgenitive absolute (temporal)→ present (concurrent/iterative)ἔρχομαι: 'come'; the present participle in a genitive absolute — the brothers' (repeated) arrival was the occasion of the joy.
ἀδελφῶνbrothersGenitivesubject of the genitive absoluteἀδελφός: 'brother'; here the itinerant Christian missionaries whom Gaius had hosted (cf. vv.5–8).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
μαρτυρούντωνtestifyingPres Act Ptc · Gen Pl Masc · μαρτυρέωgenitive absolute (coordinate)→ present (concurrent)μαρτυρέω: 'bear witness, testify'; a Johannine keyword (cf. v.12) — the brothers attested Gaius's faithfulness publicly.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (w/ τῇ ἀληθείᾳ)
τῇtheDativearticle
ἀληθείᾳtruthDativedat. complement of μαρτυρέω (that to which they testify)ἀλήθεια: 'truth'; μαρτυρέω + dative = 'bear witness to' — they testified to 'your truth,' i.e. to the genuineness of Gaius's faith and conduct.
καθὼςeven ascomparative conjunctionκαθώς: 'just as'; the report matches the reality — Gaius indeed walks in the truth.
σὺyouNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)σύ: the expressed pronoun is emphatic — 'as you (for your part) walk.'
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
ἀληθείᾳtruthDativedat. of sphere (object of ἐν)ἀλήθεια: 'truth'; 'to walk in the truth' = to order one's life by the gospel reality (cf. 2 John 4).
περιπατεῖςwalkPres Act Indic 2 Sg · περιπατέωverb of comparative clause→ customary/ongoing presentπεριπατέω: lit. 'walk about'; the common biblical metaphor for the conduct of one's life.
4
μειζοτέραν τούτων οὐκ ἔχω χαράν, ἵνα ἀκούω τὰ ἐμὰ τέκνα ἐν τῇ ἀληθείᾳ περιπατοῦντα.
I have no greater joy than this, that I hear of my children walking in the truth.
The pastoral heart of the opening: the elder's supreme joy is to hear that his spiritual children walk in the truth. The double comparative μειζοτέραν ('greater') is a colloquial intensification; the ἵνα clause gives the joy's content.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
μειζοτέρανgreaterAccusativecomparative adjective (predicate of χαράν)μειζότερος: 'greater'; a double comparative (μείζων + -τερος) — colloquial intensive Koine for 'greater still.'
τούτωνthan these thingsGenitivegenitive of comparisonοὗτος: 'this'; the genitive of comparison — 'greater than these (joys),' pointing forward to the ἵνα clause.
οὐκnotnegative particleοὐ: 'not'; the negation of ἔχω.
ἔχωI havePres Act Indic 1 Sg · ἔχωmain verb→ stative presentἔχω: 'have, hold'; 'I have no greater joy.'
χαράνjoyAccusativedirect objectχαρά: 'joy'; cognate with ἐχάρην (v.3) — the recurring note of the elder's gladness.
ἵναthatconjunction (epexegetical/content)ἵνα: 'that'; here introducing the content of the joy rather than purpose — 'namely, that I hear...'
ἀκούωI hearPres Act Subj 1 Sg · ἀκούωverb of ἵνα clause (subjunctive)→ present (general/ongoing)ἀκούω: 'hear'; the subjunctive after ἵνα states the gladdening report.
τὰtheAccusativearticle
ἐμὰmyAccusativepossessive adjectiveἐμός: 'my'; the emphatic possessive — 'my own children.'
τέκναchildrenAccusativeobject of ἀκούω (acc. + ptc.)τέκνον: 'child'; Gaius and others the elder has fathered in the faith (cf. 1 John 2:1).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
τῇtheDativearticle
ἀληθείᾳtruthDativedat. of sphere (object of ἐν)ἀλήθεια: 'truth'; 'walking in the truth' again — the standard of the children's life.
περιπατοῦνταwalkingPres Act Ptc · Acc Pl Neut · περιπατέωsupplementary participle (w/ ἀκούω)→ present (ongoing)περιπατέω: 'walk'; the participle completes the verb of perception — 'hear (them) walking in the truth.'
5
Ἀγαπητέ, πιστὸν ποιεῖς ὃ ἐὰν ἐργάσῃ εἰς τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς καὶ τοῦτο ξένους,
Beloved, you act faithfully in whatever you do for the brothers, and that for strangers,
A fresh address (Ἀγαπητέ) opens the body of the letter: Gaius's hospitality. He acts 'faithfully' (πιστόν) in serving the brothers — and these are 'strangers,' itinerants previously unknown to him, which makes the hospitality the more praiseworthy.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
ἈγαπητέBelovedVocativevocative of addressἀγαπητός: 'beloved'; opening the new movement (cf. vv.2, 11).
πιστὸνa faithful thingAccusativepredicate accusative / cognate objectπιστός: 'faithful, trustworthy'; πιστὸν ποιεῖς = 'you do a faithful thing / act faithfully' (an idiom of loyal conduct).
ποιεῖςyou doPres Act Indic 2 Sg · ποιέωmain verb→ customary presentποιέω: 'do, make'; here of habitual faithful action toward the brothers.
ὃwhateverAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἐργάσῃ)ὅς … ἐάν: 'whatever'; the indefinite relative — 'whatever you may do.'
ἐὰνif/-everparticle (with rel. for indefiniteness)ἐάν: here = ἄν, generalizing the relative ('whatever').
ἐργάσῃyou may do/workAor Mid Subj 2 Sg · ἐργάζομαιverb of indefinite relative clause (subjunctive)→ aorist (act in view)ἐργάζομαι: 'work, perform, do'; of the concrete service (provisioning, lodging) Gaius renders.
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (benefit/direction)εἰς: 'for, toward'; here of the beneficiaries of the action.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
ἀδελφοὺςbrothersAccusativeobject of εἰς (recipients of service)ἀδελφός: 'brother'; the traveling Christian workers of vv.3, 7.
καὶandascensive/explanatory conjunctionκαὶ τοῦτο: 'and that' — an idiom heightening what precedes ('and these strangers at that').
τοῦτοthis/thatAccusativeadverbial accusative (in the idiom καὶ τοῦτο)οὗτος: in καὶ τοῦτο, 'and that, especially' — adding emphasis to ξένους.
ξένουςstrangersAccusativeappositional/predicate accusative (to ἀδελφούς)ξένος: 'stranger, foreigner'; the brothers were unknown to Gaius — making the hospitality the more commendable.
6
οἳ ἐμαρτύρησάν σου τῇ ἀγάπῃ ἐνώπιον ἐκκλησίας, οὓς καλῶς ποιήσεις προπέμψας ἀξίως τοῦ θεοῦ·
who have testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their way worthily of God,
Two relative clauses: the brothers have publicly testified to Gaius's love before the (his?) church (6a); and Gaius will 'do well' to send them onward 'worthily of God' (6b) — the technical language of provisioning missionaries for the next stage of their journey.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
οἳwhoNominativerelative pronoun (subject)
ἐμαρτύρησάνtestifiedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · μαρτυρέωmain verb (rel. clause)→ constative aoristμαρτυρέω: 'bear witness'; the brothers reported Gaius's love publicly (cf. v.3).
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (w/ τῇ ἀγάπῃ)
τῇtheDativearticle
ἀγάπῃloveDativedat. complement of μαρτυρέω (that to which they testify)ἀγάπη: 'love'; the love expressed in Gaius's hospitality — its object of testimony.
ἐνώπιονbeforeimproper preposition + genitive (place)ἐνώπιον: 'in the presence of, before'; the testimony was given to the assembled congregation.
ἐκκλησίαςthe churchGenitiveobject of ἐνώπιονἐκκλησία: 'assembly, church'; here the elder's congregation, before which the report was made.
οὓςwhomAccusativerelative pronoun (object of προπέμψας)
καλῶςwelladverb (manner)καλῶς: 'well, rightly'; καλῶς ποιήσεις + ptc. = a polite idiom of request, 'please do (send them on).'
ποιήσειςyou will doFut Act Indic 2 Sg · ποιέωmain verb (polite future of request)→ future (volitive/polite request)ποιέω: 'do'; καλῶς ποιήσεις = 'you will do well,' a courteous way of urging the action that follows.
προπέμψαςhaving sent onAor Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · προπέμπωcomplementary/modal participle (w/ καλῶς ποιήσεις)→ aorist (the act requested)προπέμπω: 'send forward, help on one's journey' (πρό + πέμπω); the semi-technical term for equipping missionaries with provisions and escort for the next stage.
ἀξίωςworthilyadverb (manner)ἀξίως: 'worthily, in a manner worthy of'; the standard of the send-off.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive w/ ἀξίως (standard)θεός: 'God'; ἀξίως τοῦ θεοῦ = 'in a manner worthy of God' — hospitality reflecting God's own generosity (cf. Col 1:10; 1 Thess 2:12).
7
ὑπὲρ γὰρ τοῦ ὀνόματος ἐξῆλθον μηδὲν λαμβάνοντες ἀπὸ τῶν ἐθνικῶν.
for they went out for the sake of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles.
The γάρ grounds the call to support the missionaries: they went out 'for the Name' (i.e. of Christ), taking nothing from the unbelieving Gentiles. Since they refuse pagan support on principle, the burden of their maintenance falls rightly on the believing community.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
ὑπὲρfor the sake ofpreposition + genitive (purpose/behalf)ὑπέρ: 'for, on behalf of'; here 'for the sake of the Name.'
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
ὀνόματοςNameGenitiveobject of ὑπέρὄνομα: 'name'; 'the Name' absolutely = the name of Christ (cf. Acts 5:41) — the cause for which the missionaries travel.
ἐξῆλθονthey went outAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐξέρχομαιmain verb→ constative aoristἐξέρχομαι: 'go out, set out'; of embarking on the missionary journey.
μηδὲνnothingAccusativedirect object of λαμβάνοντεςμηδείς: 'no one, nothing'; the negative object — they accept nothing.
λαμβάνοντεςacceptingPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · λαμβάνωadverbial participle (manner/attendant circ.)→ present (ongoing)λαμβάνω: 'take, receive'; as a matter of policy they receive no support from outsiders.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (source)
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
ἐθνικῶνGentiles/pagansGenitiveobject of ἀπό (source declined)ἐθνικός: 'Gentile, heathen'; the non-Christian outsiders, from whom the missionaries decline aid (cf. Matt 18:17).
8
ἡμεῖς οὖν ὀφείλομεν ὑπολαμβάνειν τοὺς τοιούτους, ἵνα συνεργοὶ γινώμεθα τῇ ἀληθείᾳ.
Therefore we ought to support such men, that we may be fellow workers with the truth.
The inference (οὖν) from v.7: 'we' — the believing community, emphatically ἡμεῖς over against the ἐθνικοί — are obligated to support such workers, so as to become partners 'with the truth' itself. Hospitality is participation in the gospel's own advance.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
ἡμεῖςweNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)ἡμεῖς: the expressed 'we' is emphatic, set over against 'the Gentiles' of v.7.
οὖνthereforeinferential conjunctionοὖν: 'therefore'; draws the conclusion from v.7.
ὀφείλομενwe oughtPres Act Indic 1 Pl · ὀφείλωmain verb→ stative present (obligation)ὀφείλω: 'owe, be obligated'; the language of moral debt — supporting missionaries is a duty.
ὑπολαμβάνεινto supportPres Act Inf · ὑπολαμβάνωcomplementary infinitive→ present (general)ὑπολαμβάνω: lit. 'take up, receive (under one's care)'; here 'support, welcome, sustain' (a well-attested variant reads ἀπολαμβάνειν, 'receive').
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
τοιούτουςsuch menAccusativedirect object (substantival)τοιοῦτος: 'such, of this kind'; the missionaries of v.7 as a class — 'people like these.'
ἵναthatconjunction (purpose/result)ἵνα: 'that, so that'; the purpose of the support.
συνεργοὶfellow workersNominativepredicate nominativeσυνεργός: 'co-worker' (σύν + ἔργον); by supporting the missionaries, the host shares in their labor.
γινώμεθαwe may becomePres Mid Subj 1 Pl · γίνομαιverb of ἵνα clause (subjunctive)→ present (ongoing)γίνομαι: 'become, be'; the prayed-for partnership.
τῇtheDativearticle
ἀληθείᾳtruthDativedat. of association (w/ συνεργοί)ἀλήθεια: 'truth'; the personified gospel — to be 'fellow workers with the truth' (rather than 'for the truth'), the truth itself being the partner in the work.
9
Ἔγραψά τι τῇ ἐκκλησίᾳ· ἀλλ' ὁ φιλοπρωτεύων αὐτῶν Διοτρέφης οὐκ ἐπιδέχεται ἡμᾶς.
I wrote something to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, does not receive us.
The dark foil to Gaius. The elder had written to the church, but Diotrephes — characterized in one word, φιλοπρωτεύων ('loving to be first') — rejects the elder's authority. The verb ἐπιδέχομαι ('receive, welcome') recurs in v.10, framing the issue as one of (refused) hospitality and recognition.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
ἜγραψάI wroteAor Act Indic 1 Sg · γράφωmain verb→ constative aoristγράφω: 'write'; a prior letter to the church, evidently suppressed or rejected by Diotrephes.
τιsomethingAccusativedirect object (indefinite pronoun)τις: 'someone, something'; the indefinite — 'something,' the content left unspecified.
τῇto theDativearticle
ἐκκλησίᾳchurchDativeindirect object (addressee of the letter)ἐκκλησία: 'church, assembly'; the congregation where Diotrephes wields influence.
ἀλλ'butadversative conjunctionἀλλά: 'but'; the strong contrast introducing Diotrephes.
ὁtheNominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
φιλοπρωτεύωνwho loves to be firstPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · φιλοπρωτεύωattributive/substantival participle (describing Διοτρέφης)→ present (characteristic)φιλοπρωτεύω: 'love to be first, crave preeminence' (φίλος + πρῶτος); a NT hapax — Diotrephes' defining vice, the lust for primacy.
αὐτῶνamong themGenitivepartitive genitive (w/ φιλοπρωτεύων)αὐτός: 'them'; the church members among whom Diotrephes seeks to dominate.
ΔιοτρέφηςDiotrephesNominativesubject (apposition to the participle)Διοτρέφης: 'nourished by Zeus'; a prominent figure in the church who opposes the elder — known only from this letter.
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἐπιδέχεταιreceivePres Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐπιδέχομαιmain verb→ customary/iterative presentἐπιδέχομαι: 'receive, welcome, acknowledge (authority)'; Diotrephes refuses both the elder and his envoys (repeated in v.10).
ἡμᾶςusAccusativedirect objectἡμᾶς: 'us' — the elder and his associates, whose authority Diotrephes will not own.
10
διὰ τοῦτο, ἐὰν ἔλθω, ὑπομνήσω αὐτοῦ τὰ ἔργα ἃ ποιεῖ, λόγοις πονηροῖς φλυαρῶν ἡμᾶς· καὶ μὴ ἀρκούμενος ἐπὶ τούτοις οὔτε αὐτὸς ἐπιδέχεται τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς καὶ τοὺς βουλομένους κωλύει καὶ ἐκ τῆς ἐκκλησίας ἐκβάλλει.
For this reason, if I come, I will call to remembrance the works he does, prating against us with evil words; and not content with that, he himself does not receive the brothers, and those who would, he forbids and casts out of the church.
The elder's threatened response and the catalogue of Diotrephes' offenses: malicious slander, refusal to receive the brothers, obstruction of those willing, and expulsion from the church. A four-fold escalation, climaxing in excommunication — the abuse of preeminence in action.
Word-by-word analysis· 33 words
διὰbecause ofpreposition + accusative (cause)διὰ τοῦτο: 'for this reason, therefore'; pointing to Diotrephes' conduct as the occasion.
τοῦτοthisAccusativeobject of διά (causal demonstrative)
ἐὰνifconditional conjunction (3rd-class)ἐάν: 'if'; the conditional anticipating a possible visit.
ἔλθωI comeAor Act Subj 1 Sg · ἔρχομαιverb of protasis (subjunctive)→ aorist (contingent)ἔρχομαι: 'come'; the prospective visit (cf. v.14).
ὑπομνήσωI will call to remembranceFut Act Indic 1 Sg · ὑπομιμνῄσκωmain verb (apodosis)→ futureὑπομιμνῄσκω: 'remind, call to mind, bring up'; the elder will publicly expose Diotrephes' deeds.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
τὰtheAccusativearticle
ἔργαworksAccusativedirect object of ὑπομνήσωἔργον: 'work, deed'; Diotrephes' actions, now catalogued.
ἃwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ποιεῖ)
ποιεῖhe doesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ποιέωmain verb (rel. clause)→ customary presentποιέω: 'do'; his habitual conduct.
λόγοιςwith wordsDativedat. of means (w/ φλυαρῶν)λόγος: 'word'; the instrument of the slander.
πονηροῖςevilDativeattributive adjectiveπονηρός: 'evil, malicious, wicked'; the character of the words used against the elder.
φλυαρῶνprating againstPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · φλυαρέωadverbial participle (means/manner)→ present (ongoing)φλυαρέω: 'talk nonsense against, bring unjustified charges' (a NT hapax); slandering with empty, malicious talk.
ἡμᾶςusAccusativeobject of φλυαρῶν
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
μὴnotnegative particle (w/ participle)μή: 'not'; negating the participle ἀρκούμενος.
ἀρκούμενοςbeing contentPres Pass Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἀρκέωconcessive participle ('not content')→ present (ongoing)ἀρκέω (pass.): 'be satisfied, content'; the slander is not the whole of it — there is worse to come.
ἐπὶwithpreposition + dative (basis/object of satisfaction)
τούτοιςthese thingsDativeobject of ἐπί (demonstrative)οὗτος: 'these'; the slanders just named.
οὔτεneithernegative correlative conjunctionοὔτε: 'neither, nor'; the first member of the catalogue of refusals.
αὐτὸςhimselfNominativeintensive pronoun (subject)αὐτός: intensive — 'he himself' does not receive them.
ἐπιδέχεταιreceivesPres Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐπιδέχομαιmain verb→ customary presentἐπιδέχομαι: 'receive, welcome'; repeated from v.9 — now of the brothers he refuses to host.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
ἀδελφοὺςbrothersAccusativedirect object of ἐπιδέχεταιἀδελφός: 'brother'; the traveling missionaries Diotrephes turns away.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τοὺςthoseAccusativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
βουλομένουςwho are willingPres Mid Ptc · Acc Pl Masc · βούλομαιsubstantival participle (object of κωλύει)→ present (ongoing)βούλομαι: 'wish, want, intend'; those willing to receive the brothers — whom Diotrephes obstructs.
κωλύειhe forbidsPres Act Indic 3 Sg · κωλύωmain verb→ conative/customary presentκωλύω: 'hinder, prevent, forbid'; he blocks the willing from showing hospitality.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐκout ofpreposition + genitive (separation)
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
ἐκκλησίαςchurchGenitiveobject of ἐκ (separation)ἐκκλησία: 'church'; the body from which he expels the hospitable.
ἐκβάλλειcasts outPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐκβάλλωmain verb (climax)→ customary presentἐκβάλλω: 'throw out, expel' (ἐκ + βάλλω); the climactic abuse — excommunicating those who welcome the brothers.
11
Ἀγαπητέ, μὴ μιμοῦ τὸ κακὸν ἀλλὰ τὸ ἀγαθόν. ὁ ἀγαθοποιῶν ἐκ τοῦ θεοῦ ἐστιν· ὁ κακοποιῶν οὐχ ἑώρακεν τὸν θεόν.
Beloved, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God.
A fresh address (Ἀγαπητέ) frames the moral lesson drawn from the contrast: do not imitate Diotrephes' evil but the good. The two antithetical maxims (doing good = being 'of God'; doing evil = not having 'seen God') are vintage Johannine theology (cf. 1 John 3:6, 10).
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
ἈγαπητέBelovedVocativevocative of addressἀγαπητός: 'beloved'; the third and last such address (cf. vv.2, 5).
μὴnotnegative particle (w/ imperative)μή: 'not'; negating the prohibition.
μιμοῦimitatePres Mid Impv 2 Sg · μιμέομαιmain verb (prohibition)→ present imperative (general prohibition)μιμέομαι: 'imitate, follow as a pattern' (cf. 'mimic'); μὴ μιμοῦ = 'do not make a pattern of.'
τὸtheAccusativearticle (substantival)
κακὸνevilAccusativedirect object (substantival adjective)κακός: 'bad, evil'; τὸ κακόν = 'the evil' — Diotrephes' conduct in view.
ἀλλὰbutadversative conjunctionἀλλά: 'but'; the antithesis.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (substantival)
ἀγαθόνgoodAccusativedirect object (substantival adjective)ἀγαθός: 'good'; τὸ ἀγαθόν = 'the good' — Gaius's and Demetrius's example.
ὁthe oneNominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
ἀγαθοποιῶνwho does goodPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἀγαθοποιέωsubstantival participle (subject)→ present (characteristic)ἀγαθοποιέω: 'do good' (ἀγαθός + ποιέω); the habitual doer of good — marked as belonging to God.
ἐκof/frompreposition + genitive (source/origin)ἐκ: 'from, of'; ἐκ τοῦ θεοῦ εἶναι = 'to be of God,' to derive one's character and life from him.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitiveobject of ἐκ (source)θεός: 'God'; origin and allegiance of the good-doer.
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίequative verb→ stative presentεἰμί: 'be'; the copula of the maxim.
ὁthe oneNominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
κακοποιῶνwho does evilPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · κακοποιέωsubstantival participle (subject)→ present (characteristic)κακοποιέω: 'do evil' (κακός + ποιέω); the habitual evildoer — shown to be estranged from God.
οὐχnotnegative particleοὐ: 'not'; the form οὐχ before the rough breathing of ἑώρακεν.
ἑώρακενhas seenPerf Act Indic 3 Sg · ὁράωmain verb→ intensive perfect (abiding state)ὁράω: 'see'; the perfect 'has (not) seen' = has no abiding knowledge of God (Johannine; cf. 1 John 3:6).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
θεόνGodAccusativedirect object of ἑώρακενθεός: 'God'; to 'see God' here = to know him truly, the mark the evildoer lacks.
12
Δημητρίῳ μεμαρτύρηται ὑπὸ πάντων καὶ ὑπὸ αὐτῆς τῆς ἀληθείας· καὶ ἡμεῖς δὲ μαρτυροῦμεν, καὶ οἶδας ὅτι ἡ μαρτυρία ἡμῶν ἀληθής ἐστιν.
Demetrius has good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself; and we also testify, and you know that our testimony is true.
Demetrius (probably the bearer of this letter) is set against Diotrephes as the commended example. He has threefold witness: from all, from 'the truth itself,' and from the elder — the closing echo of the truth-keyword and of John's stress on reliable testimony (cf. John 19:35; 21:24).
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
Δημητρίῳto DemetriusDativedat. of advantage (recipient of testimony)Δημήτριος: 'belonging to Demeter'; the man here commended — likely the courier of the letter, recommended to Gaius.
μεμαρτύρηταιhas been testified toPerf Pass Indic 3 Sg · μαρτυρέωmain verb (impersonal/passive)→ intensive perfect (settled reputation)μαρτυρέω: 'bear witness'; the perfect passive — Demetrius 'has (a standing) testimony,' an established good reputation.
ὑπὸbypreposition + genitive (agent)ὑπό: 'by'; marking the agents of the testimony.
πάντωνallGenitiveobject of ὑπό (agent)πᾶς: 'all'; the universal good report — 'everyone' speaks well of him.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ὑπὸbypreposition + genitive (agent)
αὐτῆςitselfGenitiveintensive pronoun (w/ τῆς ἀληθείας)αὐτός: intensive — 'the truth itself,' the second, almost personified witness.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
ἀληθείαςtruthGenitiveobject of ὑπό (agent, personified)ἀλήθεια: 'truth'; the keyword once more — Demetrius's life accords with the gospel, so 'the truth itself' attests him.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (w/ δέ, 'and ... also')
ἡμεῖςweNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)ἡμεῖς: emphatic 'we' — the elder adds his own weighty witness.
δὲand/moreoverconnective particle (καὶ … δέ = 'and indeed')δέ: here in the idiom καὶ … δέ, 'and ... also, moreover.'
μαρτυροῦμενwe testifyPres Act Indic 1 Pl · μαρτυρέωmain verb→ present (performative)μαρτυρέω: 'bear witness'; the third witness to Demetrius — the elder's own.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
οἶδαςyou knowPerf Act Indic 2 Sg · οἶδαmain verb→ perfect with present force (settled knowledge)οἶδα: 'know'; the perfect-with-present sense — Gaius knows the elder's witness is reliable (cf. John 21:24).
ὅτιthatconjunction (content of οἶδας)ὅτι: 'that'; introducing the object clause.
ἡtheNominativearticle
μαρτυρίαtestimonyNominativesubject of ἐστινμαρτυρία: 'witness, testimony'; the elder's own attestation, here vouched as true.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of possession
ἀληθήςtrueNominativepredicate adjectiveἀληθής: 'true, truthful'; cognate with ἀλήθεια — the testimony conforms to reality.
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίequative verb→ stative presentεἰμί: 'be'; the copula.
13
Πολλὰ εἶχον γράψαι σοι, ἀλλ' οὐ θέλω διὰ μέλανος καὶ καλάμου σοι γράφειν·
I had many things to write to you, but I do not wish to write to you with ink and pen;
The close begins, in language nearly identical to 2 John 12. The elder defers full communication to a face-to-face visit (v.14), preferring living speech to ink-and-pen — a mark of the letter's intimacy and brevity.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
Πολλὰmany thingsAccusativedirect object of γράψαι (substantival adjective)πολύς: 'much, many'; the many matters left unwritten.
εἶχονI hadImpf Act Indic 1 Sg · ἔχωmain verb→ imperfect (epistolary; 'I have')ἔχω: 'have'; εἶχον γράψαι = 'I had (things) to write' — an epistolary imperfect viewing the moment of writing.
γράψαιto writeAor Act Inf · γράφωcomplementary infinitive→ aorist (the act contemplated)γράφω: 'write'; what the elder forgoes committing to a letter.
σοιto youDativeindirect object
ἀλλ'butadversative conjunctionἀλλά: 'but'; the contrast.
οὐnotnegative particle
θέλωI wishPres Act Indic 1 Sg · θέλωmain verb→ present (volitional)θέλω: 'wish, want'; the elder prefers a personal visit to a long letter.
διὰwithpreposition + genitive (means)διά: 'through, by means of'; here instrumental — 'with ink and pen.'
μέλανοςinkGenitiveobject of διά (means)μέλαν: 'ink' (lit. 'the black thing,' from μέλας); the writing fluid.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
καλάμουpenGenitiveobject of διά (means, coordinate)κάλαμος: 'reed,' hence 'reed-pen'; the ancient writing instrument.
σοιto youDativeindirect object
γράφεινto writePres Act Inf · γράφωcomplementary infinitive (w/ θέλω)→ present (general)γράφω: 'write'; the manner of communication the elder declines.
14
ἐλπίζω δὲ εὐθέως σε ἰδεῖν, καὶ στόμα πρὸς στόμα λαλήσομεν.
but I hope to see you soon, and we will speak face to face.
The reason for the deferral: a hoped-for visit, when matters can be settled 'mouth to mouth.' In the critical numbering this is v.14, the closing peace and greetings being separated into v.15; the Majority/KJV text joins the two into a single v.14.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
ἐλπίζωI hopePres Act Indic 1 Sg · ἐλπίζωmain verb→ present (ongoing)ἐλπίζω: 'hope, expect'; of the anticipated reunion.
δὲbutconnective/contrastive particleδέ: 'but, and'; contrasting written word with hoped-for presence.
εὐθέωςsoonadverb (time)εὐθέως: 'at once, soon'; the nearness of the hoped-for visit.
σεyouAccusativeaccusative subject/object of ἰδεῖν
ἰδεῖνto seeAor Act Inf · ὁράωcomplementary infinitive (w/ ἐλπίζω)→ aorist (the hoped-for act)ὁράω: 'see'; the aorist infinitive (suppletive ἰδεῖν) of the longed-for meeting.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
στόμαmouthAccusativeadverbial accusative (idiom στόμα πρὸς στόμα)στόμα: 'mouth'; στόμα πρὸς στόμα = 'mouth to mouth,' i.e. 'face to face,' of direct personal speech.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (in the idiom)πρός: 'to, toward'; here in the idiom for face-to-face conversation.
στόμαmouthAccusativeobject of πρός (in the idiom)
λαλήσομενwe will speakFut Act Indic 1 Pl · λαλέωmain verb→ futureλαλέω: 'speak, talk'; the living speech preferred to ink and pen.
15
εἰρήνη σοι. ἀσπάζονταί σε οἱ φίλοι. ἀσπάζου τοὺς φίλους κατ' ὄνομα.
Peace to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.
The closing: a peace-wish and an exchange of greetings. The address 'the friends' (οἱ φίλοι) is distinctive in the NT epistles (cf. John 15:13–15). 'By name' (κατ' ὄνομα) lends a personal, pastoral warmth. The critical editions print this as v.15; the Majority/KJV tradition joins it to v.14, hence the 14-vs-15 versification difference.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
εἰρήνηpeaceNominativesubject (nom. in wish formula)εἰρήνη: 'peace'; the Hebrew šālôm — wholeness and well-being, the customary parting blessing.
σοιto youDativedat. of recipient
ἀσπάζονταίgreetPres Mid Indic 3 Pl · ἀσπάζομαιmain verb→ present (performative)ἀσπάζομαι: 'greet, salute'; the conventional epistolary greeting-formula.
σεyouAccusativedirect object
οἱtheNominativearticle
φίλοιfriendsNominativesubject of ἀσπάζονταιφίλος: 'friend'; 'the friends' as a designation for the community is distinctively Johannine (cf. John 15:13–15).
ἀσπάζουgreetPres Mid Impv 2 Sg · ἀσπάζομαιmain verb (imperative)→ present imperative (general)ἀσπάζομαι: 'greet'; the reciprocal charge to Gaius.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
φίλουςfriendsAccusativedirect object of ἀσπάζουφίλος: 'friend'; those with Gaius, to be greeted individually.
κατ'bypreposition + accusative (distributive)κατά: 'according to'; κατ' ὄνομα = 'by name,' individually — a personal, pastoral touch (cf. John 10:3).
ὄνομαnameAccusativeobject of κατά (distributive)ὄνομα: 'name'; in the idiom κατ' ὄνομα, 'name by name.'