3 John 1:2

3 John 1:2 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
• New International Version (NIV)Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.

Context of 3 John 1:2

1The elder [of the church addresses this letter] to the beloved and esteemed Gaius, whom I love in truth. Beloved, I pray that in every way you may succeed and prosper and be in good health [physically], just as [I know] your soul prospers [spiritually]. 3For I was greatly pleased when [some of the] brothers came [from time to time] and testified to your [faithfulness to the] truth [of the gospel message], that is, how you are walking in truth. 4I have no greater joy than this, to hear that my [spiritual] children are living [their lives] in the truth.

3 John 1:2 word by word

ἀγαπητέ, περὶ πάντων εὔχομαί σε εὐοδοῦσθαι καὶ ὑγιαίνειν καθὼς εὐοδοῦταί σου ἡ ψυχή.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Belovedἀγαπητόςagapētos · belovedG27
• I wishεὔχομαιeuchomai · to pray/wish forG2172
• aboveπερίperi · aboutG4012
• all thingsπᾶςpas · allG3956
• thatεὐοδόωeuodoō · to get along wellG2137
• thouσύsu · youG4771
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• be in healthὑγιαίνωhugiainō · be healthyG5198
• even asκαθώςkathōs · as/just asG2531
• soulὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• soulψυχήpsuchē · soul: myselfG5590

Cross-references for 3 John 1:2

• James 5:12But above all, my fellow believers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath; but let your yes be [a truthful] yes, and your no be [a truthful] no, so that you may not fall under judgment.
• 1 Peter 4:8Above all, have fervent and unfailing love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins [it overlooks unkindness and unselfishly seeks the best for others].
• Psalms 20:1May the Lord answer you (David) in the day of trouble! May the name of the God of Jacob set you securely on high [and defend you in battle]!
• Philippians 2:4Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.
• 3 John 1:3For I was greatly pleased when [some of the] brothers came [from time to time] and testified to your [faithfulness to the] truth [of the gospel message], that is, how you are walking in truth.
• Colossians 1:4for we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus [how you lean on Him with absolute confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness], and of the [unselfish] love which you have for all the saints (God’s people);
• 1 Thessalonians 1:3recalling unceasingly before our God and Father your work energized by faith, and your service motivated by love and unwavering hope in [the return of] our Lord Jesus Christ.
• 1 Thessalonians 2:13And we also thank God continually for this, that when you received the word of God [concerning salvation] which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of [mere] men, but as it truly is, the word of God, which is effectually at work in you who believe [exercising its inherent, supernatural power in those of faith].
• 1 Thessalonians 3:6But now that Timothy has come back to us from [his visit with] you, and has brought us good news of your [steadfast] faith and [the warmth of your] love, and [reported] that you always think kindly of us and treasure your memories of us, longing to see us just as we long to see you,
• 2 Thessalonians 1:3We ought always and indeed are morally obligated [as those in debt] to give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters, as is fitting, because your faith is growing ever greater, and the [unselfish] love of each one of you toward one another is continually increasing.
• 2 Thessalonians 2:13But we should and are [morally] obligated [as debtors] always to give thanks to God for you, believers beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through the sanctifying work of the Spirit [that sets you apart for God’s purpose] and by your faith in the truth [of God’s word that leads you to spiritual maturity].
• Philemon 1:5because I hear of your love and of your faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints (God’s people).
• 2 Peter 1:3For His divine power has bestowed on us [absolutely] everything necessary for [a dynamic spiritual] life and godliness, through true and personal knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.
• 2 Peter 3:18but grow [spiritually mature] in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory (honor, majesty, splendor), both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
• Revelation 2:9‘I know your suffering and your poverty (but you are rich), and how you are blasphemed and slandered by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan [they are Jews only by blood, and do not believe and truly honor the God whom they claim to worship].

Commentaries on 3 John 1:2

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 2I wish above all things - · Above all things I pray that thou mayest prosper, and be in health, ̔· to which one MS. adds , which gives it a different meaning, viz., that thou mayest be sound in the truth. The prayer of St. John for Caius includes three particulars: Health of body; Health of soul; and Prosperity in secular affairs. That thou mayest Prosper and be in Health, as thy Soul Prospereth. These three things, so necessary to the comfort of life…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 2Beloved, I wish above all things - Margin, “pray.” The word used here commonly means in the New Testament to pray; but it is also employed to express a strong and earnest desire for anything, Acts 27:29; Romans 9:3; 2 Corinthians 13:9. This is probably all that is implied here. The phrase rendered “above all things” - ̀ ́ peri pantōn- would be more correctly rendered here “concerning, or in respect to all things;” and the idea is, that John wished…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1-4The apostle John begins his letter with a common greeting. It includes: identifying himself and the person he is writing to, using a friendly greeting, such as beloved, offering wishes for the person's well-being, and expressing thanks for their friendship.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 22. above all things--Greek, "concerning all things": so Alford: in all respects. But Wahl justifies English Version (compare 1Pe 4:8). Of course, since his soul's prosperity is presupposed, "above all things" does not imply that John wishes Gaius' bodily health above that of his soul, but as the first object to be desired next after spiritual health. I know you are prospering in the concerns of your soul. I wish you similar prosperity in your body…Read the comment

Topics related to 3 John 1:2

• Blessing

In the dictionaries

• Wish
• joy, joyful, rejoice, glad

Commentaries on 3 John 1

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings