3 John 1:10

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth [them] out of the church.

Complete Jewish Bible:

So if I come, I will bring up everything he is doing, including his spiteful and groundless gossip about us. And as if that weren’t enough for him, he refuses to recognize the brothers’ authority either; moreover, he stops those who want to do so and tries to drive them out of the congregation!

Berean Standard Bible:

So if I come, I will call attention to his malicious slander against us. And unsatisfied with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers and forbids those who want to do so, even putting them out of the church.

American Standard Version:

Therefore, if I come, I will bring to remembrance his works which he doeth, prating against us with wicked words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and them that would he forbiddeth and casteth them out of the church.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Wherefore{G1223}{G5124}, if{G1437} I come{G2064}, I will remember{G5279} his{G846} deeds{G2041} which{G3739} he doeth{G4160}, prating against{G5396} us{G2248} with malicious{G4190} words{G3056}: and{G2532} not{G3361} content{G714} therewith{G1909}{G5125}, neither{G3777} doth{G1926} he himself{G846} receive{G1926} the brethren{G80}, and{G2532} forbiddeth{G2967} them that would{G1014}, and{G2532} casteth{G1544} them out of{G1537} the church{G1577}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Isaiah 66:5

  • ¶ Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name's sake, said, Let the LORD be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed.

Proverbs 10:10

  • ¶ He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow: but a prating fool shall fall.

Luke 6:22

  • Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you [from their company], and shall reproach [you], and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.

2 Corinthians 13:2

  • I told you before, and foretell you, as if I were present, the second time; and being absent now I write to them which heretofore have sinned, and to all other, that, if I come again, I will not spare:

John 9:34

  • They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out.

John 9:35

  • ¶ Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God?

Proverbs 10:8

  • ¶ The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall.

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Commentary for 3 John 1:10

3 John 1:10 is a verse from a letter written by the Apostle John, traditionally considered the last of the New Testament epistles. This verse is part of a personal letter addressed to a man named Gaius, who was likely a leader in a local church. The historical context suggests that the letter was written in the late first century, during a time when the early Christian church was facing internal challenges and divisions.

In this verse, John is addressing a specific issue involving a man named Diotrephes, who is characterized by his opposition to John and his authoritative stance within the church. The themes of 3 John 1:10 include:

1. **Accountability for Actions**: John indicates that if he visits the church, he will confront Diotrephes about his behavior. The phrase "I will remember his deeds" implies that John intends to hold Diotrephes accountable for his actions.

2. **Slander and Malice**: Diotrephes is accused of "prating against us with malicious words," which means he was speaking ill of John and possibly other Christian leaders with the intent to harm their reputation or influence.

3. **Lack of Hospitality**: The verse also criticizes Diotrephes for refusing to welcome and support visiting Christian teachers or "brethren," which was a significant breach of early Christian hospitality norms.

4. **Authoritarianism**: Diotrephes is depicted as exercising unwarranted authority by not only rejecting the brethren himself but also preventing others from offering hospitality and potentially excommunicating members of the church who disagreed with him ("casteth [them] out of the church").

5. **Church Governance**: The broader context of the letter deals with issues of leadership and governance within the early church. Diotrephes' actions reflect a power struggle and the potential for authoritarian leadership to disrupt church unity and fellowship.

In summary, 3 John 1:10 addresses the serious consequences of divisive behavior within the early Christian community. It highlights the importance of maintaining unity, exercising hospitality, and ensuring that leaders within the church act with integrity and humility rather than with self-serving authority and malice. John's warning serves as a timeless reminder of the responsibilities of church leadership and the dangers of allowing pride and power to undermine the work of the Gospel.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

  1. Strong's Number: G1223
    There are 580 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: διά
    Transliteration: diá
    Pronunciation: dee-ah'
    Description: a primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional):--after, always, among, at, to avoid, because of (that), briefly, by, for (cause) … fore, from, in, by occasion of, of, by reason of, for sake, that, thereby, therefore, X though, through(-out), to, wherefore, with (-in). In composition it retains the same general importance.
  2. Strong's Number: G5124
    There are 303 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: τοῦτο
    Transliteration: toûto
    Pronunciation: too'-to
    Description: neuter singular nominative or accusative case of οὗτος; that thing:--here (-unto), it, partly, self(-same), so, that (intent), the same, there(-fore, -unto), this, thus, where(-fore).
  3. Strong's Number: G1437
    There are 254 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἐάν
    Transliteration: eán
    Pronunciation: eh-an'
    Description: from εἰ and ἄν; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty:--before, but, except, (and) if, (if) so, (what-, whither-)soever, though, when (-soever), whether (or), to whom, (who-)so(-ever). See μή.
  4. Strong's Number: G2064
    There are 604 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἔρχομαι
    Transliteration: érchomai
    Pronunciation: el'-tho
    Description: middle voice of a primary verb (used only in the present and imperfect tenses, the others being supplied by a kindred (middle voice) , or (active) , which do not otherwise occur); to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively):--accompany, appear, bring, come, enter, fall out, go, grow, X light, X next, pass, resort, be set.
  5. Strong's Number: G5279
    There are 7 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ὑπομιμνήσκω
    Transliteration: hypomimnḗskō
    Pronunciation: hoop-om-im-nace'-ko
    Description: from ὑπό and μιμνήσκω; to remind quietly, i.e. suggest to the (middle voice, one's own) memory:--put in mind, remember, bring to (put in) remembrance.
  6. Strong's Number: G846
    There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: αὐτός
    Transliteration: autós
    Pronunciation: ow-tos'
    Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ.
  7. Strong's Number: G2041
    There are 161 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἔργον
    Transliteration: érgon
    Pronunciation: er'-gon
    Description: from a primary (but obsolete) (to work); toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication, an act:--deed, doing, labour, work.
  8. Strong's Number: G3739
    There are 1215 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ὅς
    Transliteration: hós
    Pronunciation: ho
    Description: probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article ὁ); the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that:--one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc. See also οὗ.
  9. Strong's Number: G4160
    There are 519 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ποιέω
    Transliteration: poiéō
    Pronunciation: poy-eh'-o
    Description: apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct):--abide, + agree, appoint, X avenge, + band together, be, bear, + bewray, bring (forth), cast out, cause, commit, + content, continue, deal, + without any delay, (would) do(-ing), execute, exercise, fulfil, gain, give, have, hold, X journeying, keep, + lay wait, + lighten the ship, make, X mean, + none of these things move me, observe, ordain, perform, provide, + have purged, purpose, put, + raising up, X secure, shew, X shoot out, spend, take, tarry, + transgress the law, work, yield. Compare πράσσω.
  10. Strong's Number: G5396
    There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: φλυαρέω
    Transliteration: phlyaréō
    Pronunciation: floo-ar-eh'-o
    Description: from φλύαρος; to be a babbler or trifler, i.e. (by implication) to berate idly or mischievously:--prate against.
  11. Strong's Number: G2248
    There are 164 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἡμᾶς
    Transliteration: hēmâs
    Pronunciation: hay-mas'
    Description: accusative case plural of ἐγώ; us:--our, us, we.
  12. Strong's Number: G4190
    There are 71 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: πονηρός
    Transliteration: ponērós
    Pronunciation: pon-ay-ros'
    Description: from a derivative of πόνος; hurtful, i.e. evil (properly, in effect or influence, and thus differing from κακός, which refers rather to essential character, as well as from σαπρός, which indicates degeneracy from original virtue); figuratively, calamitous; also (passively) ill, i.e. diseased; but especially (morally) culpable, i.e. derelict, vicious, facinorous; neuter (singular) mischief, malice, or (plural) guilt; masculine (singular) the devil, or (plural) sinners:--bad, evil, grievous, harm, lewd, malicious, wicked(-ness). See also πονηρότερος.
  13. Strong's Number: G3056
    There are 316 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: λόγος
    Transliteration: lógos
    Pronunciation: log'-os
    Description: from λέγω; something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, (with the article in John) the Divine Expression (i.e. Christ):--account, cause, communication, X concerning, doctrine, fame, X have to do, intent, matter, mouth, preaching, question, reason, + reckon, remove, say(-ing), shew, X speaker, speech, talk, thing, + none of these things move me, tidings, treatise, utterance, word, work.
  14. Strong's Number: G2532
    There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: καί
    Transliteration: kaí
    Pronunciation: kahee
    Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
  15. Strong's Number: G3361
    There are 602 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: μή
    Transliteration: mḗ
    Pronunciation: may
    Description: a primary particle of qualified negation (whereas οὐ expresses an absolute denial); (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas οὐ expects an affirmative one)) whether:--any but (that), X forbear, + God forbid, + lack, lest, neither, never, no (X wise in), none, nor, (can-)not, nothing, that not, un(-taken), without. Often used in compounds in substantially the same relations. See also ἐὰν μή, ἵνα μή, οὐ μή, μῆκος, μηκύνω, μήν, μὴ οὐκ.
  16. Strong's Number: G714
    There are 8 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἀρκέω
    Transliteration: arkéō
    Pronunciation: ar-keh'-o
    Description: apparently a primary verb (but probably akin to αἴρω through the idea of raising a barrier); properly, to ward off, i.e. (by implication) to avail (figuratively, be satisfactory):--be content, be enough, suffice, be sufficient.
  17. Strong's Number: G1909
    There are 790 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἐπί
    Transliteration: epí
    Pronunciation: ep-ee'
    Description: a primary preposition; properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e. over, upon, etc.; of rest (with the dative case) at, on, etc.; of direction (with the accusative case) towards, upon, etc.:--about (the times), above, after, against, among, as long as (touching), at, beside, X have charge of, (be-, (where-))fore, in (a place, as much as, the time of, -to), (because) of, (up-)on (behalf of), over, (by, for) the space of, through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), with. In compounds it retains essentially the same import, at, upon, etc. (literally or figuratively).
  18. Strong's Number: G5125
    There are 19 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: τούτοις
    Transliteration: toútois
    Pronunciation: too'-toice
    Description: dative case plural masculine or neuter of οὗτος; to (for, in, with or by) these (persons or things):--such, them, there(-in, -with), these, this, those.
  19. Strong's Number: G3777
    There are 45 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: οὔτε
    Transliteration: oúte
    Pronunciation: oo'-teh
    Description: from οὐ and τέ; not too, i.e. neither or nor; by analogy, not even:--neither, none, nor (yet), (no, yet) not, nothing.
  20. Strong's Number: G1926
    There are 2 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἐπιδέχομαι
    Transliteration: epidéchomai
    Pronunciation: ep-ee-dekh'-om-ahee
    Description: from ἐπί and δέχομαι; to admit (as a guest or (figuratively) teacher):--receive.
  21. Strong's Number: G80
    There are 344 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἀδελφός
    Transliteration: adelphós
    Pronunciation: ad-el-fos'
    Description: from Α (as a connective particle) and (the womb); a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like Α):--brother.
  22. Strong's Number: G2967
    There are 23 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: κωλύω
    Transliteration: kōlýō
    Pronunciation: ko-loo'-o
    Description: from the base of κολάζω; to estop, i.e. prevent (by word or act):--forbid, hinder, keep from, let, not suffer, withstand.
  23. Strong's Number: G1014
    There are 34 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: βούλομαι
    Transliteration: boúlomai
    Pronunciation: boo'-lom-ahee
    Description: middle voice of a primary verb; to "will," i.e. (reflexively) be willing:--be disposed, minded, intend, list, (be, of own) will (-ing). Compare θέλω.
  24. Strong's Number: G1544
    There are 76 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἐκβάλλω
    Transliteration: ekbállō
    Pronunciation: ek-bal'-lo
    Description: from ἐκ and βάλλω; to eject (literally or figuratively):--bring forth, cast (forth, out), drive (out), expel, leave, pluck (pull, take, thrust) out, put forth (out), send away (forth, out).
  25. Strong's Number: G1537
    There are 761 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἐκ
    Transliteration: ek
    Pronunciation: ex
    Description: a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause; literal or figurative; direct or remote):--after, among, X are, at, betwixt(-yond), by (the means of), exceedingly, (+ abundantly above), for(- th), from (among, forth, up), + grudgingly, + heartily, X heavenly, X hereby, + very highly, in, …ly, (because, by reason) of, off (from), on, out among (from, of), over, since, X thenceforth, through, X unto, X vehemently, with(-out). Often used in composition, with the same general import; often of completion.
  26. Strong's Number: G1577
    There are 115 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἐκκλησία
    Transliteration: ekklēsía
    Pronunciation: ek-klay-see'-ah
    Description: from a compound of ἐκ and a derivative of καλέω; a calling out, i.e. (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Christian community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both):--assembly, church.