3 John 1 · Verse 7

3 John 1:7

Because that for his name’s sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.

3 John 1:7, King James Version

3 John 1:7 in other translations

BSB	For they went out on behalf of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles.
WEB	because for the sake of the Name they went out, taking nothing from the Gentiles.
ASV	because that for the sake of the Name they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.
YLT	because for His name they went forth, nothing receiving from the nations;
DARBY	for for the name have they gone forth, taking nothing of those of the nations.
BBE	For they went out for love of the Name, taking nothing from the Gentiles.
Webster	Because for his name's sake they went forth, taking nothing from the Gentiles.

What does 3 John 1:7 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

7. his name's sake--Christ's. went forth--as missionaries. taking nothing--refusing to receive aught by way of pay, or maintenance, though justly entitled to it, as Paul at Corinth and at Thessalonica. Gentiles--the Christians just gathered out by their labors from among the heathen. As Gaius himself was a Gentile convert, "the Gentiles" here must mean the converts just made from the heathen, the Gentiles to whom they had gone forth. It would have been inexpedient to have taken aught (the Greek "meden" implies, not that they got nothing, though they had desired it, but that it was of their own choice they took nothing) from the infant churches among the heathen: the case was different in receiving hospitality from Gaius.

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

Barnes' Notes

Verse 7. Because that for his name's sake. The word "his" here refers to God; and the idea is, that they had undertaken this journey not on their own account, but in the cause of religion.

They went forth. Or, they have gone forth--εξηλθον-- referring to the journey which they had then undertaken; not to the former one.

Taking nothing of the Gentiles. The term Gentile embraced all who were not Jews, and it is evident that these persons went forth particularly to labour among the heathen. When they went, they resolved, it seems, to receive no part of their support from them, but to depend on the aid of their Christian brethren, and hence they were at first commended to the church of which Gains and Diotrephes were members, and on this second excursion were commended particularly to Gains.

Why they resolved to take nothing of the Gentiles is not stated, but it was doubtless from prudential considerations, lest it should hinder their success among them, and expose them to the charge of being actuated by a mercenary spirit. There were circumstances in the early propagation of Christianity which made it proper, in order to avoid this reproach, to preach the gospel "without charge," though the doctrine is everywhere laid down in the Bible that it is the duty of those to whom it is preached to contribute to its maintenance, and that it is the right of those who preach to expect and receive a support. On this subject, 1Cor 9:15, 1Cor 9:18.

(a) "taking nothing" 1Cor 9:15,18

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Verse 7 For his name's sake they went forth - For the sake of preaching the Gospel of the grace of God, and making known Jesus to the heathen. Taking nothing of the Gentiles - Receiving no emolument for their labor, but in every respect showing themselves to be truly disinterested. Sometimes, and on some special occasions, this may be necessary; but the laborer is worthy of his hire is the maxim of the author of Christianity. And those congregations of Christians are ever found to prize the Gospel most, and profit most by it, who bear all expenses incident to it, and vice versa. But some construe εξηλθον, they went out, with απο των εθνων, from the Gentiles, or rather by the Gentiles, and give the passage this sense: They went out, i.e., were driven out by the Gentiles, taking nothing with them, i.e., leaving all their property behind, so that they were in a state of great destitution. A curious reading here, εθνικων, heathenish men, for εθνων, Gentiles, which latter might imply those who were converted from among the Gentiles, while the sense of the other term seems to be restrained to those who were still unconverted, may seem to strengthen the above interpretation; and although the construction seems rather harsh, yet it is not, on the whole, unlikely. The reading above referred to is that of the most ancient and reputable MSS. That to be driven out or expelled is one scriptural meaning of the verb εξερχομαι, see Mat 8:32 : And when they were come out, οἱ δε εξελθοντεσς, and when they were Driven Out. Mat 12:43 : When the unclean spirit is gone out, εξελθη, is Driven Out. See Mar 5:13, Mar 7:29 : The devil is gone out of thy daughter, εξεληλυθε, is Expelled. Mar 9:29 : This kind can come forth by nothing εν ουδενι δυναται εξελθειν, can be Driven Out by nothing, but by prayer and fasting. Luk 8:2 : Mary Magdalene; out of whom went, αφ' ἡς δαιμονια ἑπτα εξεληλυθει, out of whom were Cast, seven demons. See also 1Jn 2:19; Rev 3:12; and Schleusner, in voc. εξερχομαι.

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 1:7 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.

ὑπὲρhuperOn behalfG5228

γὰρgarforG1063

τοῦtouof theG3588

ὀνόματοςonomatosnameG3686

ἐξῆλθονexēlthonthey went forthG1831

μηδὲνmēdennothingG3367

λαμβάνοντεςlambanontesacceptingG2983

ἀπὸapofromG575

τῶνtōntheG3588

ἐθνικῶν.ethnikōnGentile [people].G1482

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

Cross references for 3 John 1:7

2 Corinthians 4:5
For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.
2 Kings 5:15-16
And he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came, and stood before him: and he said, Behold, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel: now therefore, I pray thee, take a blessing of thy servant. But he said, As the Lord liveth, before whom I stand, I will receive none. And he urged him to take it; but he refused.
Revelation 2:3
And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.
1 Corinthians 9:18
What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.
2 Corinthians 11:7-9
Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely? I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service. And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself.
Colossians 1:24
Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church:
2 Corinthians 12:13
For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong.
Acts 9:16
For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.
Acts 5:41
And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
2 Kings 5:20-27
But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, Behold, my master hath spared Naaman this Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought: but, as the Lord liveth, I will run after him, and take somewhat of him. So Gehazi followed after Naaman. And when Naaman saw him running after him, he lighted down from the chariot to meet him, and said, Is all well? And he said, All is well. My master hath sent me, saying, Behold, even now there be come to me from mount Ephraim two young men of the sons of the prophets: give them, I pray thee, a talent of silver, and two changes of garments. And Naaman said, Be content, take two talents. And he urged him, and bound two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of garments, and laid them upon two of his servants; and they bare them before him. …
1 Corinthians 9:12-15
If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ. Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel. But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void.
Acts 8:4
Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

that.
Ac 8:4; 9:16; 2Co 4:5; Col 1:24; Re 2:3
taking.
2Ki 5:15,16,20-27; 1Co 9:12-15,18; 2Co 11:7-9; 12:13

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

Context

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:
3 John 1:7
Because that for his name’s sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.
3 John 1:8
We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.

Read all of 3 John 1

3 John 1:7 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	Porque ellos partieron por amor de su nombre, no tomando nada de los Gentiles.
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	car ils sont sortis pour le nom, ne recevant rien de ceux des nations.
German Elberfelder 1871	Denn für den Namen sind sie ausgegangen und nehmen nichts von denen aus den Nationen.
Latin Clementine Vulgate	Pro nomine enim ejus profecti sunt, nihil accipientes a gentibus.