3 John 1:5-8

⁵ Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the brethren and for strangers,

⁶ who have borne witness of your love before the church. If you send them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God, you will do well,

⁷ because they went forth for His name’s sake, taking nothing from the Gentiles.

⁸ We therefore ought to receive such, that we may become fellow workers for the truth.

The meaning [of the first part of v.5] seems to be somewhat as follows: “In the work you are doing on behalf of the brethren you are acting faithfully,” or it may be, “what you are doing is an expression of the faith that characterizes you.” — Vine, page 123.

__________

for the brethren and for strangers (v.5) — The “brethren” and “strangers” are the same persons. Spiritually related to him … those whom he entertained had been unknown to him personally. This enhances the value of his recognition of them as fellow-believers. — Vine, page 124. 

the church (v.6) — where John was writing from

send them forward (v.6) — Having commended Gaius for his hospitality shown to these servants of God, John encourages him to assist them on their way. … The phrase “worthily of God” signifies “in a manner consistent with their devotedness to the service of God.” — Vine, page 124.

__________

All may not be missionaries or teachers, but all may faithfully serve Christ by showing loving hospitality to Christian workers. — Grace, page 2229.

__________

The Name (v.7) is that of the Lord Jesus. His Name expresses all that He is, His character and attributes as seen in His doings, and therefore is summed up on all the doctrines concerning Him, His Deity, His eternal Sonship, His sinless life, His death, resurrection and exalted position at the right hand of the Throne. — Vine, page 124.

__________

The fact that these itinerant preachers refused to accept money from the Gentiles; the import of the repeated word “we”; the force of the expression “and not for ours only” (1 John 2:2); and the distinction marked by the word “Gentiles” [indicated] that these itinerant preachers were Hebrew disciples. — Williams, page 1020.

__________

The “We” (v.8) is emphatic, marking a contrast to the Gentiles. The word [receive] does not mean merely to receive, but to welcome, and that as only part of the cooperation. — Vine, page 125.

for the truth (v.8) — supporting the truth in its effectiveness through their instrumentality.