3 John 1:1-4

¹ The Elder, to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth:

² Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.

³ For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth.

⁴ I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

beloved (v.1) — John also calls Gaius beloved in vs.2, 5, and 11.

prosper (v.2) = lit. “have a pleasant trip,” or, get along well

The Apostle prayed “above all things” that Gaius might be as healthy in body as he was in soul. This suggests that he was not strong physically (v.2). The prayer conflicts with the teaching which states that full physical health accompanies full spiritual health. — Williams, page 1020.

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Gaius may have been recovering from an illness. Nevertheless, his soul was prospering from attending to things of the Lord. — Grace, page 2229.

or …

The verb hugiaino, to be in health (Eng. hygiene), is used of physical fitness. This does not imply that Gaius was in poor health or was suffering poverty; it certainly provides an example of, and encouragement to, prayer for material blessings for fellow-believers. — Vine, page 122.

brethren came and testified (v.3) — tense indicates this was a recurring event. Lit. “I rejoiced greatly at brethren coming and witnessing.”

just as you walk (v.3) — The [“you”] is emphatic; it suggests that this is set in contrast to the conduct of Diotrephes. To walk in truth is to love according to the teaching and standard of the doctrines of the faith and revealed by God. — Vine, page 123.

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my children (v.4) — They were brought to a saving knowledge of Christ through the Apostle himself. “The truth” here signifies all the doctrines of the faith, and that as embodied and manifested in Christ, Himself “the Truth.” To walk in the truth is to live the life of the true follower of Christ, in all the activities of Christian conduct, a life of progressing towards a goal. — Vine, page 123.