Matthew Henry

1-2

The author of the letter - not explicitly stated, but stylistically recognizable as John - claims no high title, but rather the relatively common position of elder. Whether he claims only age or the position due the last remaining apostle, the title commands a certain amount of respect. (1Pe 5:1 - Peter writes as elder to elders.) It is possible that the Gaius written to here is that one baptized by Paul - who may also have been the one mentioned in Romans (Ro 16:23). If not, they are of similar nature. John's love for Gaius is because of the truth they both walk in. This is true, Christian love. John's prayer of greeting is opened by an affectionate address. "The minister who would gain love must show it himself." Soul-prosperity rests upon regeneration, consisting in the growth of spiritual life and spiritual treasures in the soul. Grace and health go well together, for "grace will improve health, and health will employ grace." This parity of spirit and body is not guaranteed, but is certainly a proper prayer to ask on another's behalf, for in praying for bodily health, we pray that the grace they already have might shine more brightly.

 

 

Adam Clarke

1

Regarding other mentions of Gaius, there is the one mentioned in Romans (Ro 16:23), who hosted Paul in Corinth, as well as hosting the whole church there. There is the one of 1Co 1:14 who was baptized by Paul, and likely the same as that in Romans. There are two noted in Acts. The first is declared a native of Macedonia, and traveled with Paul to Ephesus. The second is a native of Derbe, and so is not a native of Macedonia, although also a fellow traveler with Paul. Many see this Gaius as yet another, for the implication is that he was a convert of John's. While it cannot be said with certainty, similarities in the nature of Gaius noted by Paul and John, and of the situation he was in as described by both apostles, would allow the possibility that the Gaius of 3 John is that one in Corinth. This might suggest that both 2 John and 3 John were written to those in the vicinity of Corinth. John, as a fisherman, might not have been put off by the dangerous sea crossing required to get from Ephesus to Corinth, but the overland route would have been prohibitive to one of his advanced age. But even the sea voyage would have been a bit much for one of John's age, and his experience in Galilee would have done little to prepare him for a voyage on the Aegean.

2

John's prayer covers bodily health, spiritual health, and secular prosperity. To pray for these things is within every Christian's authority, and ought to be their prayer. Gaius had clearly already attained to a prosperous state of soul.

 

 

Barnes

1

Again, the other mentions of Gaius are seen as three men. That one who is of Derbe is the most likely of the three to be the one here. Whether or not this be so, he was clearly a personal friend of the writer.

2

The word used for 'pray' here is also used to express strong and earnest desire. It speaks well of Gaius that the wish is for his bodily health and secular wealth to come up to matching his spiritual estate, rather than the commonly necessary wish that spiritual health might come up to matching our physical estate. The word for prospering used here occurs only twice elsewhere in the New Testament: (Ro 1:10 - Paul prays to succeed in coming to Rome. 1Co 16:2 - The Corinthians are instructed to set aside some of that by which they have prospered each week to support those less benefited.) It includes in its meaning any plan or purpose, so success in business, domestic relations, and any other lawful engagement. This shows that it is OK to pray for each other's success in life. So long as these prayers don't supercede those for the soul's welfare, it is proper to ask for physical health, as well.

 

 

Wycliffe

1

Apparently, John generally referred to himself as the Elder. Gaius is too common a name to try and equate him with any of the others mentioned in Scripture. John makes personal the love expressed commonly by those who knew Gaius. He also emphasizes that he loves Gaius, suggesting that there were those who did not.

2

No primacy of the physical over the spiritual is properly implied by the text. It's "in all", not "above all". Whereas Paul tends to speak of health when he refers to sound doctrine, it seems clear that John is speaking literally. Perhaps Gaius had been ill. Here we find authority to pray for physical blessings for our friends.

 

 

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown

1

John declares his love for Gaius, "For my part." Again the implication - borne out later in the letter - that not all shared that love. The repetition of "beloved" throughout the letter shows the strength of this affection.

2

Again, the note that it's "concerning all", not "above all". Some would justify the latter form as that is how it is used in 1Pe 4:8, where we are told to love one another above all. This is acceptable here when we note that Gaius' spiritual health was already in fine state, so the prayer is for the next most needful thing. Gaius may, perhaps, have been in poor health, and otherwise challenged at the time. The prayer for prosperity is general, the prayer for health specific.

 

 

New Thoughts (4/23/00)

It occurs to me that I really should have been dating these things all along. However, I haven't done so before, so I'll just start it here. It's funny in a way that I'd missed the implications of John's opening prayer. Having had it pointed out, it's good to see a basis for healing that's kept in balance with God's priorities. This is the piece that seems to get lost too often when the focus becomes zeroed in on the physical blessings. Yes, we should certainly pray for each other's health. Yes, it's probably even acceptable to pray for our own - although I've got, perhaps, too much childhood training to get past the selfishness of this. But spiritual health has got to come first! Without that, it's gaining the world while losing our soul - worse than a waste. God, my prayer at this moment is that You would bring each one of us here to that place that John found Gaius in: where our spiritual health is the reasonable mark for our physical health to attain to. I pray for Jan, that You would bring her body to the place where her soul has reached. I pray that You would cause her soul to reach higher still. I pray for Nicole, that You would establish her in Your love, that You would make it real to her and not just a game. I see signs that this is happening, and yet it's so hard to tell the difference sometimes. Perhaps I should rather pray that You would clear my eyes to see the truth in my family. I pray for myself, that You would make these times even better, and that You would help me to retain those things You've shown me in these times together. I pray, further, that You would help me to become as open with my dear wife as I've slowly come to be with You. I am so very thankful that I know You hear me in these writings. I'm more thankful that You understand my weakness in not receiving Your answers as well as I might. But, even more than that, I'm thankful that You take time to explain it to me, so that I can accept the work You are doing to bring about these answers. Your such a gentle Father. Help me to learn from Your example, oh God. Burnish away the rough edges of this crusty old man, and allow me to love and teach as You love and teach me.