Editorial Note: If you are not proficient in Greek, you will find
this work considerably more useful than the following work by Alford,
because in this volume he translates the Greek and Latin into English.
While the "The Greek New Testament" (see next entry
below) is longer (e.g., English version
of 1John = 66 pages compared to Greek version = 94 pages
in part because the latter includes comments of more technical
nature), the substance of the commentary is otherwise similar to that
found in the "NT for English Readers".
Henry Alford's "The New Testament
for English Readers"
Henry Alford The Greek New Testament
3 John Commentary
Recommended
Charles Haddon Spurgeon writes that this text "is an invaluable
aid to the critical study of the text of the New Testament. You will
find in it the ripened results of a matured scholarship, the
harvesting of a judgment, generally highly impartial, always worthy of
respect, which has gleaned from the most important fields of Biblical
research, both modern and ancient, at home and abroad. You will not
look here for any spirituality of thought or tenderness of feeling;
you will find the learned Dean does not forget to do full justice to
his own views, and is quite able to express himself vigorously against
his opponents; but for what it professes to be, it is an exceedingly
able and successful work. The later issues are by far the most
desirable, as the author has considerably revised the work in the
fourth edition. What I have said of his Greek Testament applies
equally to Alford’s New Testament for English Readers,* which is also
a standard work." (Spurgeon,
C. H. Lectures to my Students, Vol. 4: Commenting and Commentaries;
Lectures Addressed to the students of the Pastors' College,
Metropolitan Tabernacle)
James Rosscup writes that Barnes "includes 16 volumes on the Old
Testament, 11 on the New Testament. The New Testament part of this old
work was first published in 1832–1851. Various authors contributed. It
is evangelical and amillennial...Often the explanations of verses are
very worthwhile."
(Commentaries
for Biblical Expositors: An Annotated Bibliography of Selected Works
or
Logos)
C H
Spurgeon "Albert Barnes is a learned and able divine, but his
productions are unequal in value, the gospels are of comparatively
little worth, but his other comments are extremely useful for
Sunday-school teachers and persons with a narrow range of reading,
endowed with enough good sense to discriminate between good and
evil....Placed by the side of the great masters, Barnes is a lesser
light, but taking his work for what it is and professes to be, no
minister can afford to be without it, and this is no small praise for
works which were only intended for Sunday-school teachers." (Spurgeon,
C. H. Lectures to my Students, Vol. 4: Commenting and Commentaries;
Lectures Addressed to the students of the Pastors' College,
Metropolitan Tabernacle)
Johann A Bengel
Commentary on 3 John
Gnomon of the New Testament
James Rosscup writes "This work (Gnomon), originally issued in
1742, has considerable comment on the Greek, flavoring the effort with
judicious details about the spiritual life. It has much that helps,
but has been surpassed by many other commentaries since its day."
(Commentaries
for Biblical Expositors: An Annotated Bibliography of Selected Works
or
Logos)
Johann Bengel
The Critical English Testament
Commentary on Jude
Represents Combination of Bengel's Gnomon (above) and
Comments
by more modern expositors (in brackets) to make this more usable for
those who do not read Greek.
Spurgeon comments on the goal to make Bengel's Gnomon
(listed above) more accessible -- "Such is the professed aim of this
commentary, and the compilers have very fairly carried out their
intentions. The whole of Bengel’s Gnomon is bodily transferred
into the work, and as 120 years have elapsed since the first issue of
that book, it may be supposed that much has since been added to the
wealth of Scripture exposition; the substance of this has been
incorporated in brackets, so as to bring it down to the present
advanced state of knowledge. We strongly advise the purchase of this
book, as it...will well repay an attentive perusal. Tischendorf and
Alford have contributed largely...to make this one of the most
lucid and concise commentaries on the text and teachings of the New
Testament" (Spurgeon,
C. H. Lectures to my Students, Vol. 4: Commenting and Commentaries;
Lectures Addressed to the students of the Pastors' College,
Metropolitan Tabernacle)
Bible.org
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3 John
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IT'S one of the few places on earth
where the air is as fresh and clean as it must have been millennia
ago. Constant winds keep out pollution and germs, and the climate
discourages the growth of native viruses.
It sounds like the healthiest place on earth. So why doesn't anyone
want to live there? Because it's also the coldest place on earth. With
temperatures that drop to minus 100 degrees Fahrenheit, the South
Pole is too frigid even for germs.
Some churches bear a striking resemblance to that sterile atmosphere.
The truth of God is preached, Scriptures are meticulously quoted, and
error has no chance to survive. But neither does life. The spiritual
temperature is subzero, as evidenced by the cold shoulder given to the
poor and needy (James 2:2-6). Those weak in the faith engage in icy
arguments (Romans 14:1). Those who threaten to invade their
comfortable cliques are left out in the cold (3 John 5-10). Unloved
and unwelcomed, many people leave.
It's one of the few places on earth where the air is as fresh and
clean as it must have been millennia ago. Constant winds keep out
pollution and germs, and the climate discourages the growth of native
viruses.
It sounds like the healthiest place on earth. So why doesn't anyone
want to live there? Because it's just too cold. With temperatures that
drop to -100¡ Fahrenheit, the South Pole is too frigid even for germs.
Some churches bear a striking resemblance to that sterile atmosphere.
The truth of God is preached, Scriptures are meticulously quoted, and
error has no chance to survive. But there is no corresponding
obedience or love, and the spiritual temperature is sub-zero. The poor
are given the cold shoulder (James 2:2-6). Those weak in the faith
engage in icy arguments (Rom. 14:1). Brothers in Christ are left out
in the cold because they pose a threat to comfortable cliques (3 John
5-10). Unloved and untouched, many people leave.
The house
of God should be a place
For praise and fervent prayer;
How sad when folks let small things break
Their sweet communion there! --H G Bosch
The church should always be a warm
shelter in a cold world.
><>><>><>
3 John 4The "Pistol" And The Lord
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. .
--3 John 4
When it's my turn to pack school lunches, I write my kids' names on
the bags. But on two of the lunches, I've been instructed to write
"Pistol Pete." That's because Julie and Steven have become enamored
with the memory of Pete Maravich, one of the greatest basketball
players of all time. And I'm responsible for this because I've told
them about the Pistol since they were little. They've watched his
instructional videos, read his biography, and viewed his life story.
So they both are Pistol Pete "wannabes."
That's okay with me. Children need good role models and examples. And
Maravich was a Christian. But I would be disappointed if my children
didn't see Jesus Christ modeled in my life also and want to be like
Him. That's why when Stevie tells me that Jesus is his best friend,
I'm a happy dad.
As parents, we must tell our children about Jesus and be role models
who live for Christ. That was the case with Paul, who counted Timothy
as his son in the Spirit (1Ti 1:18), and with John, who rejoiced
over those whom he called his children (3Jn. 4).
Whatever
you write on the heart of a child
Is written indelibly there;
Each action and word makes an impact, you know,
Like a kindness or beautiful prayer. --HGB
The greatest gift a parent can give
is a worthy example.
The truth of God is a wonderful asset to a Christian. Joni Tada
likened the value of God's truth to an experience in her childhood.
She wrote,
"At four, I was too young to have
my own horse, and I'm not sure a horse fit for a four-year-old could
have kept up with my father and sisters. So when we went horseback
riding, I sat behind my father on his big horse. With my tiny hands,
I'd hang on to the back of his belt and away we'd go. I'd bounce up
and down in the saddle, sliding this way and that, but as long as I
had a strong hold on that belt, I knew I was safe."
Pastor H. A. Ironside had a
man in his church who always tried to run the board meetings. If
Ironside agreed with him, all went well. But when he disagreed, he
would receive a harsh letter from the man, who sarcastically addressed
him as “Dear Diotrephes.” Actually, the board member deserved the
title, not Ironside, who was known for his graciousness.
In John’s third letter we read about Diotrephes, who wanted to be a
boss in the early church. Overly ambitious and domineering, he opposed
the apostle John and set himself up as a dictator over those in his
spiritual care. Anyone who took exception to him was dismissed from
the congregation.
The problem of bossy church leaders was not limited to the first
century. A. T. Robertson wrote a magazine article in which he rebuked
leaders who follow in the footsteps of Diotrephes. After it was
published, he received letters from at least 25 different church
leaders, demanding that their subscriptions to the magazine be
canceled. Although Robertson had never met any of them, they all said
in effect, “You have personally attacked me!”
A lust for power springs from pride and selfishness. In contrast,
Jesus served in humility and obedience to His Father (Phil. 2:8). He
must be our pattern.
3 John 3 The Vital Importance of Truth
“For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth
that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.” (C H Spurgeon)
The truth was in Gaius, and Gaius walked in the truth. If the first had
not been the case, the second could never have occurred; and if the second
could not be said of him the first would have been a mere pretence. Truth
must enter into the soul, penetrate and saturate it, or else it is of no
value. Doctrines held as a matter of creed are like bread in the hand,
which ministers no nourishment to the frame; but doctrine accepted by the
heart, is as food digested, which, by assimilation, sustains and builds up
the body. In us truth must be a living force, an active energy, an
indwelling reality, a part of the woof and warp of our being. If it be in
us, we cannot henceforth part with it. A man may lose his garments or his
limbs, but his inward parts are vital, and cannot be torn away without
absolute loss of life. A Christian can die, but he cannot deny the truth.
Now it is a rule of nature that the inward affects the outward, as light
shines from the centre of the lantern through the glass: when, therefore,
the truth is kindled within, its brightness soon beams forth in the
outward life and conversation. It is said that the food of certain worms
colours the cocoons of silk which they spin: and just so the nutriment
upon which a man’s inward nature lives gives a tinge to every word and
deed proceeding from him. To walk in the truth, imports a life of
integrity, holiness, faithfulness, and simplicity—the natural product of
those principles of truth which the gospel teaches, and which the Spirit
of God enables us to receive. We may judge of the secrets of the soul by
their manifestation in the man’s conversation. Be it ours to-day, O
gracious Spirit, to be ruled and governed by thy divine authority, so that
nothing false or sinful may reign in our hearts, lest it extend its
malignant influence to our daily walk among men. (Spurgeon, C. H. Morning
and Evening)
If in his second letter John dealt specially with the subject of those to
whom no hospitality should be extended, in this he commends hospitality,
and shows what its nature should be. There were those who "for the sake of
the Name went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles." These were to be
received and welcomed, and "set forward on their journey worthily of God."
Two interpretations have been given of this phrase. One is that these men
were to be treated as the very messengers of God, and so worthily of that
fact. The other is that those who tendered them hospitality were to do it
as God would do it, "worthily of God." Most probably both views are
correct, both ideas being involved. In harmony with the whole spirit of
the letter the second is the more patent. What a pattern and test is here
of hospitality! What kind of a host is God? How does He treat His guests?
When we have answered those questions, we shall have discovered the nature
of the hospitality we ought to extend to all those who go forth for the
sake of the Name. To those who receive the hospitality of God, He gives of
His best, He gives lavishly, He gives of pure delight. His concern is ever
for the highest wellbeing of His guests. He opens His home to them; He
spreads His table before them; He admits them to familiar converse with
Himself; He places at their disposal all His knowledge, and all the riches
of His grace. If we are to entertain "worthily of God" these are the lines
upon which our hospitality must proceed. It is one of the things which
constantly cheer and help those who go forth for the sake of the Name. (Morgan,
G. Campbell)
><>><>><>
3 John 7
- For the sake of the Name they went forth. (F B Meyer)
The beloved elder is
anxious about some travelling evangelists, who had gone forth to visit the
churches; and is commending them to the care of Gaius. He was to set them
forward in a manner that should be worthy of God. This is a high standard
for our entertainment of brethren and strangers withal. It would save us
from niggardliness and stint, for God is never miserly or meager. It would
equally save us from ostentation, since in God there is perfect
simplicity. It would pervade our behaviour with the most perfect grace.
But notice, in respect of these evangelists: —
Their motive. —
“For the sake of the Name.” It is not needful to say whose Name. There is
one Name above every name, in which whatever we do is to be done. To teach
the meaning hidden in that Name; to unfold its sweetness and power; to
exert its spell over souls that had never felt its magnetism; to glorify
it and make it honored and beloved — this was their one thought and aim.
Oh that we were animated by the same gracious motive!
Their delicacy. —
They would take nothing of the Gentiles. It seemed to them incongruous to
go for alms and maintenance to those who do not love their Lord. Besides,
could not He maintain his own servants? They certainly would not have
sanctioned the means that modern Christians adopt of getting money from
the ungodly.
Their welcome. — We
ought to welcome all such and in doing so we may be fellow-helpers with
them and with the truth. It is a very beautiful act to link ourselves with
God’s honored servants by prayer and sympathy, that we may be counted
their fellow-helpers and companions. (Meyer, F B: Our Daily Homily)
><>><>><>
3 John 7The key to the missionary devotion (Oswald Chambers)
For His name’s sake they went forth. 3 John 7.
Our Lord has told us how
love to Him is to manifest itself. “Lovest thou Me?” “Feed My
sheep”—identify yourself with My interests in other people, not, identify
Me with your interests in other people. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 gives the
character of this love, it is the love of God expressing itself. The test
of my love for Jesus is the practical one, all the rest is sentimental
jargon.
Loyalty to Jesus Christ is the
supernatural work of Redemption wrought in me by the Holy Ghost Who sheds
abroad the love of God in my heart, and that love works efficaciously
through me in contact with everyone I meet. I remain loyal to His name
although every commonsense fact gives the lie to Him, and declares that He
has no more power than a morning mist.
The key to missionary devotion means
being attached to nothing and no one saving Our Lord Himself, not being
detached from things externally. Our Lord was amazingly in and out among
ordinary things; His detachment was on the inside towards God. External
detachment is often an indication of a secret vital attachment to the
things we keep away from externally. The loyalty of a missionary is to
keep his soul concentratedly open to the nature of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The men and women Our Lord sends out on His enterprises are the ordinary
human stuff, plus dominating devotion to Himself wrought by the Holy
Ghost. (Chambers, O. My Utmost for His Highest)
><>><>><>
3 John 9Unity and the Spirit of Diotrephes (C H Spurgeon)
Now that we know that there is a unity of the Spirit worthy to be kept, I
want to point out that it needs to be kept. It is a very difficult thing
to maintain, for several reasons. First of all, our sins would, very
naturally, break it. If we were all angels, we would keep the unity of the
Spirit and not even need the exhortation to do so. But, alas, we are
proud, and pride is the mother of division. Diotrephes, who loves to have
preeminence (3 John 1:9), is very sure to head a faction. How envy, too,
has separated good friends! When I cannot be satisfied with anything that
is not hammered on my workbench, when another man’s candle grieves me
because it gives more light than mine, and when another man troubles me
because he has more grace than I have—oh, there is no unity in this case.
Anger—what a deadly foe that is to unity! When we cannot overlook the
smallest disrespect, when the slightest thing turns our faces red, when we
speak unadvisedly with our lips—surely then there is no unity. But, I do
not need to read the long list of sins that spoil the unity of the Spirit,
for it is lengthy. Oh, may God cast them out of us, for only then can we
keep the unity of the Spirit. (Power in the Blood)
><>><>><>
3 John 9Three D's (Vance Havner)
In the New Testament family album three men whose names begin with the
same letter stand out as typical of three kinds of Christians today. The
Scripture account of them all is very brief, but a little window lets in
much light and from the meager record we immediately recognize that their
kind has not yet disappeared from the earth.
1. There was Demas, who forsook Paul, having loved this present
world (2 Tim. 4:10). Doubtless he had started out in dead earnest, maybe
with plenty of fire, but the pull of the old life and the charm of the
world were too much for him.
2. Then, there was Diotrephes, who loved the preeminence (3 John
9).... His sort is still with us in the minister who bosses instead of
shepherds his flock; in ecclesiastical overlords who reject all visiting
brethren who do not measure up to their private yardstick; in any and all
who want to rule instead of serve.
3. How refreshing it is to move from these two troublesome souls to
Demetrius, who loved the truth (3 John 12). Whether or not he was the
Ephesian silversmith, now converted, he had good report of all and of the
truth and of John; and his sort is altogether too rare today. He was no
celebrity, but we could profitably exchange some of our striking
personalities for more of his kind. What would the church do today without
his quiet, faithful, steadying testimony?
God help us in such a time to choose the Demetrius way of good report and
not the Diotrephes way of loud report! (Vance Havner)
><>><>><>
3 John 9-15
The third epistle of John addresses the problem of overly ambitious
and domineering church leaders. But this problem was certainly not
limited to the first century. Bible scholar A. T. Robertson wrote a
magazine article that rebuked leaders who follow in the footsteps of
Diotrephes (3 John 9). After it was published, he got numerous letters
from church leaders, demanding that their subscriptions be canceled.
Although Robertson had never met any of them and had not used any
names, they all felt that he had attacked them personally! (Today
in the Word)
DISCLAIMER: Before you "go to the commentaries" go to the
Scriptures and study them inductively (See overview of how to do
Inductive Bible Study) in dependence on
your Teacher, the Holy Spirit, Who Jesus promised would guide us into all the truth (John
16:13). Remember that Scripture is always the best commentary
on Scripture. Any commentary, even those by the most conservative and
orthodox teacher/preachers cannot help but have at least some bias of the
expositor based upon his training and experience. Therefore the inclusion
of specific links does not indicate that we agree with every comment. We
have made a sincere effort to select only the most conservative, "bibliocentric"
commentaries. Should you discover some commentary or sermon you feel may
not be orthodox, please email your concern. I have removed several links
in response to concerns by discerning readers. I recommend that your
priority be a steady intake of solid Biblical food so that with practice
you will have your spiritual senses trained to discern good from evil (Hebrews
5:14-note).
