3 John 1:8

3 John 1:8 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.
• New International Version (NIV)We ought therefore to show hospitality to such people so that we may work together for the truth.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.
• New King James Version (NKJV)We therefore ought to receive such, that we may become fellow workers for the truth.

Context of 3 John 1:8

6These men have spoken to the group of believers here about your love. Please continue to help them when they visit you. Give them the things that they need to continue on their journey. That will make God happy. 7They are travelling to different places to tell people about Jesus Christ. They do not accept any gifts from those people who are not Christians. Because of that, we Christians must help them with the things that they need. In this way we will be working together with them as they tell people the true message about Christ. 9I have already written something to the group of believers. But Diotrephes refuses to accept our authority. He really wants to be the only leader among them. 10So, when I arrive there myself, I will speak to the believers about this. I will tell them clearly about the bad things that Diotrephes is doing. He tells other people bad things about us that are not true. Even that is not enough for him. He himself refuses to welcome the believers who are visiting. He also stops anyone else who wants to welcome those visitors. Instead, he sends them away from the group of believers.

3 John 1:8 word by word

ἡμεῖς οὖν ὀφείλομεν ὑπολαμβάνειν τοὺς τοιούτους ἵνα συνεργοὶ γινώμεθα τῇ ἀληθείᾳ.¶Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Weἐγώegō · I/weG1473
• thereforeοὖνoun · therefore/thenG3767
• oughtὀφείλωopheilō opheileō · to oweG3784
• to receiveἀπολαμβάνωapolambanō · to get backG618
• suchτοιοῦτοςtoioutos · such as thisG5108
• thatἵναhina · in order that/toG2443
• we might beγίνομαιginomai · to beG1096
• fellowhelpersσυνεργόςsunergos · co-workerG4904
• the truthἀλήθειαalētheia · truthG225

Cross-references for 3 John 1:8

• 3 John 1:10So, when I arrive there myself, I will speak to the believers about this. I will tell them clearly about the bad things that Diotrephes is doing. He tells other people bad things about us that are not true. Even that is not enough for him. He himself refuses to welcome the believers who are visiting. He also stops anyone else who wants to welcome those visitors. Instead, he sends them away from the group of believers.
• Matthew 10:14Sometimes you will go to some house or town and the people will not accept you there. They will not listen to your message. Then you should leave. Clean the dirt of that place off your feet.
• Luke 11:7But his friend answers from inside his house. He says, “Do not cause problems for me! I have locked my door. My children and I have gone to bed. So I cannot get up and give you any bread.” ’
• 2 Corinthians 7:2Be friends with us. We have done nothing wrong to any of you. We have not hurt anyone. We have not cheated anyone.
• 1 Corinthians 3:5Is Apollos important? Is Paul important? No! We are God's servants. We told you God's good news and you believed it. Each of us is doing the job which the Lord has given to us.
• 1 Corinthians 16:10If Timothy comes to you, please take care of him. Make sure that you welcome him. He is doing the Lord's work, as I am also doing.
• 2 Corinthians 6:1So, as we work together with God, we tell you to be careful. Remember that God has been very kind and he has forgiven you. Do not waste that!
• 2 Corinthians 8:23As for Titus himself, he works along with me, to help you. The other believers are coming on behalf of the churches that sent them. They want to show that Christ is great.
• Philippians 4:3I ask you too, my true friend, please help these two women to agree together. They have worked with me to tell people the good news. They have worked very hard to help me. They worked together with Clement, and with the other people who helped me in the work. All those workers' names are written in God's book of life.
• Colossians 4:11Jesus, who is also called Justus, says ‘hello’ to you, too. These three men are the only Jewish believers who are serving God with me. We work together to bring people into the kingdom of God. These men have helped me to be strong.
• Philemon 1:2We say ‘hello’ also to Apphia, who is like a sister to us. And we say ‘hello’ to Archippus, who serves Christ like a soldier, as we do. We also say ‘hello’ to the group of Christians who meet in your home.

Commentaries on 3 John 1:8

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 8We therefore ought to receive such - Those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, and have professed the truth at the hazard of their lives, and the loss of all their worldly substance. Instead of , to receive, the most ancient and reputable MSS. have ̔, to take up, undertake for, or kindly receive. Fellow helpers to the truth - And thus encourage the persecuted, and contribute to the spread and maintenance of the Gospel.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 8We therefore ought to receive such - All of us ought hospitably to entertain and help such persons. The work in which they are engaged is one of pure benevolence. They have no selfish aims and ends in it. They do not even look for the supplies of their own needs among the people to whom they go to minister; and we ought, therefore, to help them in their work, and to contribute to their support. Doubtless, the apostle meant to urge this duty particularly…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 7-8On behalf of the Name: John did not need to specify whose name this was because early Christians understood that the Name referred to Jesus Christ (see Acts 5:41). The traveling teachers had chosen to accept nothing offered to them from people who are not Christians. Instead, they relied on the churches for support. Christians who give support to trustworthy traveling teachers share in their work as those teachers spread the truth (see Matthew 10:41–42…Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 88. We--in contradistinction to "the Gentiles" or "heathen" referred to, 3Jo 7. therefore--as they take nothing from the Gentiles or heathen. receive--The oldest manuscripts read, "take up." As they "take" nothing from the Gentiles, we ought to take them up so as to support them. fellow helpers--with them. to the truth--that is, to promote the truth.Read the comment

Topics related to 3 John 1:8

• Hospitality

In the dictionaries

• Church Government

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