3 John 1 · Verse 8

3 John 1:8

We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.
3 John 1:8, King James Version

3 John 1:8 in other translations

BSBTherefore we ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers for the truth.
WEBWe therefore ought to receive such, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.
ASVWe therefore ought to welcome such, that we may be fellow-workers for the truth.
YLTwe, then, ought to receive such, that fellow-workers we may become to the truth.
DARBYWe therefore ought to receive such, that we may be fellow-workers with the truth.
BBESo it is right for us to take in such men as guests, so that we may take our part in the work of the true faith.
WebsterWe therefore ought to receive such, that we may be fellow-helpers to the truth.

What does 3 John 1:8 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
8. We--in contradistinction to "the Gentiles" or "heathen" referred to, 3Jo 7. therefore--as they take nothing from the Gentiles or heathen. receive--The oldest manuscripts read, "take up." As they "take" nothing from the Gentiles, we ought to take them up so as to support them. fellow helpers--with them. to the truth--that is, to promote the truth.

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

Barnes' Notes
Verse 8. We therefore ought to receive such. All of us ought hospitably to entertain and aid such persons. The work in which they are engaged is one of pure benevolence. They have no selfish aims and ends in it. They do not even look for the supplies of their wants among the people to whom they go to minister; and we ought, therefore, to aid them in their work, and to contribute to their support. The apostle doubtless meant to urge this duty particularly on Gaius; but in order to show that he recognised tile obligation himself, he uses the term "we," and speaks of it as a duty binding on all Christians.

That we might be fellow-helpers to the truth. All Christians cannot go forth to preach the gospel, but all may contribute something to the support of those who do; and in this case they would have a joint participation in the work of spreading the truth. The same reasoning which was applicable to that case, is also applicable now in regard to the duty of supporting those who go forth to preach the gospel to the destitute.

(b) "receive such" Mt 10:40 (*) "fellow helpers to the truth" "Fellow-workers in"

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 8 We therefore ought to receive such - Those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, and have professed the truth at the hazard of their lives, and the loss of all their worldly substance. Instead of απολαμβανειν, to receive, the most ancient and reputable MSS. have ὑπολαμβανειν, to take up, undertake for, or kindly receive. Fellow helpers to the truth - And thus encourage the persecuted, and contribute to the spread and maintenance of the Gospel.

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 1:8 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.

ἡμεῖςhēmeisWe ourselvesG3165
οὖνounthereforeG3767
ὀφείλομενopheilomenoughtG3784
ὑπολαμβάνεινhupolambaneinto receiveG5274
τοὺςtous<the>G3588
τοιούτουςtoioutoussuch [men]G5108
ἵναinaso thatG2443
συνεργοὶsunergoifellow workersG4904
γινώμεθαginōmethawe may beG1096
τῇtēain theG3588
ἀληθείᾳ.¶alētheiatruth.G225

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

Cross references for 3 John 1:8

  • 1 Corinthians 3:5-9

    Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. …

  • 1 Corinthians 16:10-11

    Now if Timotheus come, see that he may be with you without fear: for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do. Let no man therefore despise him: but conduct him forth in peace, that he may come unto me: for I look for him with the brethren.

  • 2 Corinthians 6:1

    We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.

  • Philippians 4:3

    And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.

  • 2 Corinthians 8:23

    Whether any do enquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be enquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.

  • Colossians 4:11

    And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me.

  • 1 Thessalonians 3:2

    And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:

  • Philemon 1:24

    Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.

  • 2 Corinthians 7:2-3

    Receive us; we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man. I speak not this to condemn you: for I have said before, that ye are in our hearts to die and live with you.

  • 3 John 1:10

    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.

  • Philemon 1:2

    And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house:

  • Matthew 10:40

    He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
to receive.
10; Mt 10:14,40; Lu 11:7; 2Co 7:2,3
fellow-helpers.
1Co 3:5-9; 16:10,11; 2Co 6:1; 8:23; Php 4:3; Col 4:11; 1Th 3:2
Phm 1:2,24

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

Context

  • 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.

  • 3 John 1:9

    I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.

Read all of 3 John 1

3 John 1:8 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Nosotros, pues, debemos recibir á los tales, para que seamos cooperadores á la verdad.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Nous donc, nous devons recevoir de tels hommes, afin que nous coopérions avec la vérité.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Wir nun sind schuldig, solche aufzunehmen, auf daß wir Mitarbeiter der Wahrheit werden.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Nos ergo debemus suscipere hujusmodi, ut cooperatores simus veritatis.