3 John 1 · Verse 5

3 John 1:5

Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;

3 John 1:5, King James Version

3 John 1:5 in other translations

BSB	Beloved, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers, and especially since they are strangers to you.
WEB	Beloved, you do a faithful work in whatever you accomplish for those who are brothers and strangers.
ASV	Beloved, thou doest a faithful work in whatsoever thou doest toward them that are brethren and strangers withal;
YLT	Beloved, faithfully dost thou do whatever thou mayest work to the brethren and to the strangers,
DARBY	Beloved, thou doest faithfully in whatever thou mayest have wrought towards the brethren and that strangers,
BBE	My loved one, you are doing a good work in being kind to those brothers who come from other places;
Webster	Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;

What does 3 John 1:5 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

5. faithfully--an act becoming a faithful man. whatsoever thou doest--a distinct Greek word from the former "doest": translate, "workest": whatsoever work, or labor of love, thou dost perform. So Mt 26:10, "She hath wrought a good work upon me." and to strangers--The oldest manuscripts, "and that (that is, and those brethren) strangers." The fact of the brethren whom thou didst entertain being "strangers," enhances the love manifested in the act.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes

Verse 5. Beloved, thou doest faithfully. In the previous verses the writer had commended Gaius for his attachment to truth, and his general correctness in his Christian life. He now speaks more particularly of his acts of generous hospitality, and says that he had fully, in that respect, done his duty as a Christian.

Whatsoever thou doest. In all your intercourse with them, and in all your conduct towards them. The particular thing which led to this remark was his hospitality; but the testimony respecting his general conduct had been such as to justify this commendation.

To the brethren. Probably to Christians who were well known to him--perhaps referring to Christians in his own church.

And to strangers. Such as had gone to the church of which he was a member with a letter of commendation from John. Rom 12:13, and Heb 13:2.

(c) "faithfully" 1Pet 4:10

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Verse 5 Thou doest faithfully - Πιστον ποιεις. Kypke thinks that πιστον is put here for πιστιν, and that the phrase signifies to keep or preserve the faith, or to be bound by the faith, or to keep one's engagements. Thou hast acted as the faith - the Christian religion, required thee to act, in all that thou hast done, both to the brethren at home, and to the strangers - the itinerant evangelists, who, in the course of their travels, have called at thy house. There is not a word here about the pilgrims and penitential journeys which the papists contrive to bring out of this text.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 3 John 1:1-8

Those who are beloved of Christ, will love the brethren for his sake. Soul prosperity is the greatest blessing on this side heaven. Grace and health are rich companions. Grace will employ health. A rich soul may be lodged in a weak body; and grace must then be exercised in submitting to such a dispensation. But we may wish and pray that those who have prosperous souls, may have healthful bodies; that their grace may…

Read the full comment on 3 John 1:1-8 →

3 John 1:5 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ἀγαπητέ,agapēteBeloved,G27

πιστὸνpistonfaithfullyG4103

ποιεῖςpoieisyou are doingG4160

ὃhowhateverG3739

ἐὰνeanmaybeG1437

ἐργάσῃergasēyou shall doG2038

εἰςeisforG1519

τοὺςtoustheG3588

ἀδελφοὺςadelphousbrothersG80

καὶkaiandG2532

τοῦτοtoutothat [thing]G3778

ξένους,xenousstrangers,G3581

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 3 John 1:5

Galatians 6:10
As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
Luke 12:42
And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?
Luke 16:10-12
He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man’s, who shall give you that which is your own?
Colossians 3:17
And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
Matthew 24:45
Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?
2 Corinthians 4:1-3
Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
1 Peter 4:10-11
As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Mt 24:45; Lu 12:42; 16:10-12; 2Co 4:1-3; Col 3:17; 1Pe 4:10,11

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

3 John 1:4
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
3 John 1:5
Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;
3 John 1:6
Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well:

Read all of 3 John 1

3 John 1:5 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	Amado, fielmente haces todo lo que haces para con los hermanos, y con los extranjeros,
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	Bien-aimé, tu agis fidèlement dans tout ce que tu fais envers les frères, et cela envers ceux-là même qui sont étrangers,
German Elberfelder 1871	Geliebter, treulich tust du, was irgend du an den Brüdern, und zwar an Fremden, getan haben magst,
Latin Clementine Vulgate	Carissime, fideliter facis quidquid operaris in fratres, et hoc in peregrinos,