PREFACE. WRITERS are not agreed about the identity of Gaius, to whom this Epistle is addressed. Some will have him be one of the two disciples of S. Paul who bore this name, some will have him be of Corinth and some of Derbé. All that we know for certain, and can gather from the Epistle itself, is that he was a convert, that he could afford to give hospitality and did give it freely, that he was harrassed by a heretical bishop whom S. John intended to come and correct, and that this letter was sent to encourage him in his well-doing. The third, like the second Epistle, was for some time of doubtful authenticity. It was adopted as part of the Canonical Scripture about the Fourth century, and bears internal evidence of having been written by S. John the Evangelist, and not another of the same name as was sometimes supposed. It was, most probably, written in Ephesus, and towards the end of the Saint's life, perhaps after the Gospel. THE THIRD EPISTLE OF S. JOHN. S. JOHN praises Gaius for his walking in truth, and for his charity; complains of the bad conduct of Diotrebhes; and gives a good testimony to Demetrius. 1. Senior Gaio charissimo, quem ego diligo in veritate. 2. Charissime, de omnibus orationem facio prosperè te ingredi et valere, sicut prosperè agit anima tua. 3. Gavisus sum valdè venientibus fratribus, et testimonium perhibentibus veritati tuæ, sicut tu in veritate ambulas. 4. Majorem horum non habeo gratiam quàm ut audiam filios meos in veritate ambulare. 5. Charissime, fideliter facis quidquid operaris in fratres, et hoc in peregrinos: 6. Qui testimonium redidderunt charitati tuæ in conspectu Ecclesiæ, quos, benefaciens, deduces dignè DEO. 7. Pro nomine enim ejus. profecti sunt, nihil accipientes à gentibus. 8. Nos ergò debemus suscipere hujusmodi, et cooperatores simus veritatis. 1. The ancient to the dearly beloved Gaius, 'whom I love in truth. 2. Dearly beloved, I make my prayer that thou mayest prosper as to all things, and be in health, even as thy soul doeth prosperously. 3. I was exceeding glad when the brethren came, and gave testimony to the truth in thee, even as thou 'walkest in truth. 4. I have no greater grace than this, to hear that my children walk in truth. 5. Dearly beloved, thou doest "faithfully whatsoever thou doest for the brethren, and that for strangers, 6. Who have given testimony of thy charity 'in the sight of the church; whom thou shalt do well to bring forward on their way in a manner worthy of God. 7. Because for his name's sake they went forth, taking "nothing of the gentiles. 8. We therefore ought to receive such, that we may be 1o fellow-helpers of the truth. |