3 John Grammar and Translation Notes (Mgvh)

3 John – Grammar and Translation Notes (mgvh)

Inscriptio

If you look in your NET Bible, you should see this as the title for 3 John:

What does the Γʹmean?it indicates number 3 > 3rd John
The angle brackets around the title indicate that some ancient manuscripts have different titles to this document. At the bottom of your NET Bible you should see something like this:

/ By/of John, letter 3
Letter 3 of the holy apostle John
By/of the holy John (John the apostle), Catholic Letter 3
By/of John to Gaius, a Letter
[the text as printed] John 3

See if you can figure out what each is saying. (The letters and numbers following a reading indicate which manuscripts have that reading. Note that abbreviations are used: I.= ΙΩΑΝΝΟΥ; επ. = επιστολη in the previous entry, etc.)
Don’t spend much time on this! Note that א and B are regarded as the ‘best’ ancient manuscripts.

BGT Ὁ πρεσβύτερος Γαΐῳ τῷ ἀγαπητῷ, ὃν ἐγὼ ἀγαπῶ ἐν ἀληθείᾳ.

NET From the elder, to Gaius my dear brother, whom I love in truth.

NRS The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth.

KJV The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.

NAU The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth.

NIV The elder, To my dear friend Gaius, whom I love in the truth.

NJB From the Elder: greetings to my dear friend Gaius, whom I love in truth.

NLT This letter is from John, the elder. I am writing to Gaius, my dear friend, whom I love in the truth.

DRA The ancient to the dearly beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth.

This is standard letter writing style introduction in place of our “Dear Gaius, … From the elder.”
How many times does a form of the stem αγαπ* occur in 3 John? 6x in 1:1f, 5f, 11
How many times does a form of the stem αληθ* occur in 3 John? 7x in 1:1, 3f, 8, 12
What do you understand ἐν ἀληθείᾳ to mean? does it mean I truly love or I love with respect to what is the truth? cf. John 8:44; 16:13; 17:17, 19; 2 John 1:1, 3f; 3 John 1:1, 3f

BGT Ἀγαπητέ, περὶ πάντων εὔχομαί σε εὐοδοῦσθαι καὶ ὑγιαίνειν, καθὼς εὐοδοῦταί σου ἡ ψυχή.

NET Dear friend, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, just as it is well with your soul.

NRS Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, just as it is well with your soul.

KJV Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

NAU Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.

NIV Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.

NJB My dear friend, I hope everything is going happily with you and that you are as well physically as you are spiritually.

NLT Dear friend, I hope all is well with you and that you are as healthy in body as you are strong in spirit.

DRA Dearly beloved, concerning all things I make it my prayer that thou mayest proceed prosperously, and fare well as thy soul doth prosperously.

How do the various translations treat the phrase περὶ πάντων?note conjectural reading to account for KJV (cf Jam 5.12; 1Pet4.8)
Following εὔχομαί, we can expect a shift to indirect discourse. (I pray that…) How is that expressed in the Greek here? INFIN
What case is σε?ACCHow is it functioning here? as subj of both infinitives > how is that best expressed?
Note the various ways that the translations render σε εὐοδοῦσθαι καὶ ὑγιαίνειν.
Which one most closely mirrors the Greek? KJV NAU (NIV reverses!)
Which one best expresses the sense of the text in contemporary English?NET=NRS are flat but accurate
cf earlier defs of prosper = flourish, thrive, be happy

BGT ἐχάρην γὰρ λίαν ἐρχομένων ἀδελφῶν καὶ μαρτυρούντων σου τῇ ἀληθείᾳ, καθὼς σὺ ἐν ἀληθείᾳ περιπατεῖς.

NET For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified to your truth, just as you are living according to the truth.

NRS I was overjoyed when some of the friends arrived and testified to your faithfulness to the truth, namely how you walk in the truth.

KJV For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.

NAU For I was very glad when brethren came and testified to your truth, that is, how you are walking in truth.

NIV It gave me great joy to have some brothers come and tell about your faithfulness to the truth and how you continue to walk in the truth.

NJB It was a great joy to me when some brothers came and told of your faithfulness to the truth, and of your life in the truth.

NLT Some of the traveling teachers recently returned and made me very happy by telling me about your faithfulness and that you are living according to the truth.

DRA I was exceedingly glad when the brethren came and gave testimony to the truth in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.

Note the phrase: ἐρχομένων ἀδελφῶν καὶ μαρτυρούντων σου τῇ ἀληθείᾳ
What is the mood ofἐρχομένων and μαρτυρούντων? PTCP What is their case? GENHow are they functioning here? GenAbs
How do you understand ἀδελφῶν here? Does the NET or the NRS provide a better rendering of the word?
Note that the phrase μαρτυρούντων σου τῇ ἀληθείᾳ seems to give translators some difficulty.
How do the NET, NRS, and NAU deal with it?

BGT μειζοτέραν τούτων οὐκ ἔχω χαράν, ἵνα ἀκούω τὰ ἐμὰ τέκνα ἐν τῇ ἀληθείᾳ περιπατοῦντα.

NET I have no greater joy than this: to hear that my children are living according to the truth.

NRS I have no greater joy than this, to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

KJV I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

NAU I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.

NIV I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

NJB It is always my greatest joy to hear that my children are living according to the truth.

NLT I could have no greater joy than to hear that my children are following the truth.

DRA I have no greater grace than this, to hear that my children walk in truth.

Note the construction carefully. What does μειζοτέραν modify? χαράν
Remember that “than” in Greek can be rendered by the use of the genitive. (i.e., τούτων)
Does the ἵνα here answer the question “why?” (purpose) or “with what result?” (result) or “what?” (substantive)? Subst
περιπατοῦντα– Note that this circumstantial participle is used to express indirect discourse following a verb of perception (ἀκούω).

BGT Ἀγαπητέ, πιστὸν ποιεῖς ὃ ἐὰν ἐργάσῃ εἰς τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς καὶ τοῦτο ξένους,

NET Dear friend, you demonstrate faithfulness by whatever you do for the brothers (even though they are strangers).

NRS Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the friends, even though they are strangers to you;

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

NAU Beloved, you are acting faithfully in whatever you accomplish for the brethren, and especially when they are strangers;

NIV Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers, even though they are strangers to you.

NJB My dear friend, you have done loyal work in helping these brothers, even though they were strangers to you.

NLT Dear friend, you are being faithful to God when you care for the traveling teachers who pass through, even though they are strangers to you.

DRA Dearly beloved, thou dost faithfully whatever thou dost for the brethren, and that for strangers,

Look at the various ways the translations render πιστὸν ποιεῖς. (Also check the footnote in the NET Bible.) Which do you think is best?
What is the best way to translate ἀδελφοὺς here?
What is at issue when translating the final phrase, καὶ τοῦτο ξένους? (Compare KJV, NAU, NRS)are the brothers=strangers or are they different groups?

BGT οἳ ἐμαρτύρησάν σου τῇ ἀγάπῃ ἐνώπιον ἐκκλησίας, οὓς καλῶς ποιήσεις προπέμψας ἀξίως τοῦ θεοῦ·

NET They have testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God.

NRS they have testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on in a manner worthy of God;

KJV 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:

NAU and they have testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God.

NIV They have told the church about your love. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God.

NJB They are a proof to the whole Church of your love and it would be a kindness if you could help them on their journey as God would approve.

NLT They have told the church here of your loving friendship. Please continue providing for such teachers in a manner that pleases God.

DRA Who have given testimony to 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.

Be sure to read the NET Bible notes. What “church” does the NET suggest is referenced here? the author’s church
Note the symmetry of πιστὸν ποιεῖς at the beginning of v5 with the καλῶς ποιήσεις here at the close of v6.
Look up the meaning of προπέμπω in a lexicon. What is John the Elder asking Gaius to do? either accompany or help/send the “brothers” on their way

BGT ὑπὲρ γὰρ τοῦ ὀνόματος ἐξῆλθον μηδὲν λαμβάνοντες ἀπὸ τῶν ἐθνικῶν.

NET For they have gone forth on behalf of "The Name," accepting nothing from the pagans.

NRS for they began their journey for the sake of Christ, accepting no support from non-believers.

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

NAU For they went out for the sake of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles.

NIV It was for the sake of the Name that they went out, receiving no help from the pagans.

NJB It was entirely for the sake of the name that they set out, without depending on the non-believers for anything:

NLT For they are traveling for the Lord, and they accept nothing from people who are not believers.

DRA Because, for his name they went out, taking nothing of the Gentiles.

How do you account for the difference between the NET’s “on behalf of ‘the Name’” with the NRSV’s “for the sake of Christ”?
NET is literal; NRS renders meaning
What three possibilities does the NET Bible give for what “the Name” means? a) name of God; b) self-designation for community; c) name fo Jesus
Bonus: In which 9 other verses besides this one does the Greek have a form of ὄνομαbut the NRSV lacks any form of “name” (i.e., “nam*”) in its translation? (In BW7, you will have to use the Graphical Search Engine.)
Mark 14:32; Luke 1:26; 6:22; 24:13; Acts 1:15; 15:26; Heb 6:10; 3 John 1:7; Rev 3:4; 11:13
What is the tense of λαμβάνοντες? Pres What does this tense suggest? habitual practice
Who are the ἐθνικῶν? What do the translations say? pagans, non-believers, Gentiles

BGT ἡμεῖς οὖν ὀφείλομεν ὑπολαμβάνειν τοὺς τοιούτους, ἵνα συνεργοὶ γινώμεθα τῇ ἀληθείᾳ.

NET Therefore we ought to support such people, so that we become coworkers in cooperation with the truth.

NRS Therefore we ought to support such people, so that we may become co-workers with the truth.

KJV We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.

NAU Therefore we ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers with the truth.

NIV We ought therefore to show hospitality to such men so that we may work together for the truth.

NJB it is our duty to welcome people of this sort and contribute our share to their work for the truth.

NLT So we ourselves should support them so that we can be their partners as they teach the truth.

DRA We therefore ought to receive such, that we may be fellow helpers of the truth.

Whom is understood to be included among the “we”? (I.e., why doesn’t the text say “you”?) appears to be all Xns, not just the author’s group
It is not a big difference here, but is the ἵνα expressing purpose or result?
Bonus: How many times in the NT does a form of συνεργός occur? 13x Which NT author uses it the most? Paul
Noting the case of τῇ ἀληθείᾳ (____DAT__), what is the best way to render it?

BGT Ἔγραψά τι τῇ ἐκκλησίᾳ· ἀλλ᾽ ὁ φιλοπρωτεύων αὐτῶν Διοτρέφης οὐκ ἐπιδέχεται ἡμᾶς.

NET I wrote something to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, does not acknowledge us.

NRS I have written something to the church; but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority.

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

NAU I wrote something to the church; but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, does not accept what we say.

NIV I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will have nothing to do with us.

NJB I have written a note for the members of the church, but Diotrephes, who enjoys being in charge of it, refuses to accept us.

NLT I wrote to the church about this, but Diotrephes, who loves to be the leader, refuses to have anything to do with us.

DRA I had written perhaps to the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the pre-eminence among them, doth not receive us.

Look at the NET Bible notes for issues involving the “church” and “Diotrephes” in this verse.
How many times does a form of φιλοπρωτεύωoccur in the NT? 1x
What is the meaning of ἐπιδέχεται here? (cf. BDAG) most likely sense of receive/welcome; issue of authority is overstating

BGT διὰ τοῦτο, ἐὰν ἔλθω, ὑπομνήσω αὐτοῦ τὰ ἔργα ἃ ποιεῖ λόγοις πονηροῖς φλυαρῶν ἡμᾶς, καὶ μὴ ἀρκούμενος ἐπὶ τούτοις οὔτε αὐτὸς ἐπιδέχεται τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς καὶ τοὺς βουλομένους κωλύει καὶ ἐκ τῆς ἐκκλησίας ἐκβάλλει.

NET Therefore, if I come, I will call attention to the deeds he is doing– the bringing of unjustified charges against us with evil words! And not being content with that, he not only refuses to welcome the brothers himself, but hinders the people who want to do so and throws them out of the church!

NRS So if I come, I will call attention to what he is doing in spreading false charges against us. And not content with those charges, he refuses to welcome the friends, and even prevents those who want to do so and expels them from the church.

KJV 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.

NAU For this reason, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words; and not satisfied with this, he himself does not receive the brethren, either, and he forbids those who desire to do so and puts them out of the church.

NIV So if I come, I will call attention to what he is doing, gossiping maliciously about us. Not satisfied with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers. He also stops those who want to do so and puts them out of the church.

NJB So if I come, I shall tell everyone how he has behaved, and about the wicked accusations he has been circulating against us. As if that were not enough, he not only refuses to welcome our brothers, but prevents from doing so other people who would have liked to, and expels them from the church.

NLT When I come, I will report some of the things he is doing and the evil accusations he is making against us. Not only does he refuse to welcome the traveling teachers, he also tells others not to help them. And when they do help, he puts them out of the church.

DRA For this cause, if I come, I will advertise his works which he doth, with malicious words prating against us. And as if these things were not enough for him, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and them that do receive them he forbiddeth, and casteth out of the church.

ἐὰν ἔλθω… Is the sense here that he is not sure if he will come, or is it that he will come, but he just doesn’t know for sure when? prob latter
μὴ ἀρκούμενος ἐπὶ τούτοις– With what does τούτοιςagree? (I.e., these what?) words > not satisfied w/ words… also his deeds…cf BDAG
How is ἐκβάλλω used in John 9? to refer to expulsion from synagogue

BGT Ἀγαπητέ, μὴ μιμοῦ τὸ κακὸν ἀλλὰ τὸ ἀγαθόν. ὁ ἀγαθοποιῶν ἐκ τοῦ θεοῦ ἐστιν· ὁ κακοποιῶν οὐχ ἑώρακεν τὸν θεόν.

NET Dear friend, do not imitate what is bad but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does what is bad has not seen God.

NRS Beloved, do not imitate what is evil but imitate what is good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God.

KJV Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.