| Chapter 1
Chapter Outline
The apostle commends Gaius for piety and hospitality.(1–8)
Cautions him against siding with Diotrephes, who was a turbulent spirit; but recommends Demetrius as a man of excellent character.(9–12)
He hopes soon to see Gaius.(13, 14)
Verses 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 shine where there is still more room for activity. How many professors there are, about whom the apostle's words must be reversed, and we must earnestly wish and pray that their souls might prosper, as their health and circumstances do! True faith will work by love. A good report is due from those who receive good; they could not but testify to the church, what they found and felt. Good men will rejoice in the soul prosperity of others; and they are glad to hear of the grace and goodness of others. And as it is a joy to good parents, it will be a joy to good ministers, to see their people adorn their profession. Gaius overlooked petty differences among serious Christians, and freely helped all who bore the image, and did the work of Christ. He was upright in what he did, as a faithful servant. Faithful souls can hear their own praises without being puffed up; the commendation of what is good in them, lays them at the foot of the cross of Christ. Christians should consider not only what they must do, but what they may do; and should do even the common actions of life, and of good-will, after a godly sort, serving God therein, and designing his glory. Those who freely make known Christ's gospel, should be helped by others to whom God gives the means. Those who cannot themselves proclaim it, may yet receive, help, and countenance those who do so.
Verses 9–12
Both the heart and mouth must be watched. The temper and spirit of Diotrephes was full of pride and ambition. It is bad not to do good ourselves; but it is worse to hinder those who would do good. Those cautions and counsels are most likely to be accepted, which are seasoned with love. Follow that which is good, for he that doeth good, as delighting therein, is born of God. Evil-workers vainly pretend or boast acquaintance with God. Let us not follow that which is proud, selfish, and of bad design, though the example may be given by persons of rank and power; but let us be followers of God, and walk in love, after the example of our Lord.
Verses 13, 14
Here is the character of Demetrius. A name in the gospel, or a good report in the churches, is better than worldly honour. Few are well spoken of by all; and sometimes it is ill to be so. Happy those whose spirit and conduct commend them before God and men. We must be ready to bear our testimony to them; and it is well when those who commend, can appeal to the consciences of such as know most of those who are commended. A personal conversation together often spares time and trouble, and mistakes which rise from letters; and good Christians may well be glad to see one another. The blessing is, Peace be to you; all happiness attend you. Those may well salute and greet one another on earth, who hope to live together in heaven. By associating with and copying the example of such Christians, we shall have peace within, and live at peace with the brethren; our communications with the Lord's people on earth will be pleasing, and we shall be numbered with them in glory everlasting.
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--【譯】何葉-【校】陳傳道-【編】何葉2012年7月24日(二)22:30(CST)
第一章
章節大綱
第1-8節 使徒稱讚該猶的虔敬和盛情。
第9-12節 使徒告誡該猶不要和好為首的丟特腓站到了同一條線上，並推薦許低米丟具有出類拔萃的優秀品質。
第13-14節 他希望儘快拜訪該猶。
第1-8節
凡愛基督的，就會為主的名愛弟兄。靈魂的興盛是從天而來的上好福分。恩典和健壯豐豐滿滿相伴相隨。恩典使用健壯。可能上帝安排興盛的靈魂寄居在軟弱的軀體上；那麼上帝也必使恩典按神的心意，在順服中受訓。不過，我們可以祈禱那些靈魂興盛的，身體也健康；祈禱他們所得著的恩典熠熠閃光，得神賜下更多的健康和活力。然而，與使徒所述情況相反的人何其多啊——他們身體健壯但靈魂腐壞，我們必須恆切禱告他們靈魂興盛，一如他們身體安康、環境順利！真信心憑愛心產生果效。得著上帝恩惠之人做美好的見證是應該的；他們須得對教會見證他們的所歷所感。正直的人會因他人靈魂興盛而激動不已，也樂於聽聞他人的恩典和善良。看見自己的孩子扛起自己的事奉，這對順服的家長來說甚是欣慰，對忠心的牧師而言真乃天福。該猶不去看敬虔的基督徒之間的細微區別，而是無償地幫扶所有領受異象、為基督作工的人。在他所做的這一切事上，他是正直的，是滿有信心的僕人。有信心的靈魂無需別人吹捧自能聽到發自肺腑的稱讚；而這些對於他們心地善良的稱許，就將他們安置在了被釘十字架的基督的腳前。基督徒該考慮的不僅是自己當做什麼，還有自己能做什麼；哪怕是生命和心靈中平常的行為，屬神的族類，事奉內住的神，彰顯神的榮耀。神使一些人去幫助他人，白白認識基督福音。而那些自己不能傳講自己所領受的，則可以接待、援助和鼓勵傳福音的工人。
第9-12節
要防備人心生歹意也要警惕人口吐惡言。丟特腓的脾氣心性充斥著張揚跋扈。自己不行善本就可惡，禁止別人行善則更為可憎。對於情真意切的忠告和勸誡，眾人是易於接受的。效法善的，因其所行為善，並以行善為樂，便是從神生的。行惡的又偽裝又吹噓自己認識神。儘管也許有人位高權重，是世人的榜樣，但卻驕傲自私動機不純，我們切莫效尤；而應跟隨神，行走在愛里，效法我們的主耶穌。
第13-14節
且讓我們看看丟特腓那副德性。福音中的名聲，或者說教會裡的好見證，遠遠勝過世間的尊榮。善行鮮有受到一致好評的，反倒是作惡往往遭到同仇敵愾。那些因內心和外行在神和人面前都得到稱讚的，真是幸運之至。我們要樂於對他們做見證；當人稱讚時，聞者對受贊者聽得越多，那麼其良心就越能受到感染，這是極好的。一次面對面的傾心交談，常常節省了時間、解決了麻煩，也消除了信中的誤解；忠心的基督徒該是很樂意見到彼此的。在信的最後便是祝福：願平安加給你；一切喜事都伴隨你。凡盼望一起進到天國的，都應當在地上彼此問安祝福。與這樣的基督徒相交，效仿他們的榜樣，我們自己不僅可以內里平安，還能與弟兄們同享平安；我們與主的子民在地上的相交總是很愜意的，最終我們將與眾聖徒一起列隊進到永遠的榮耀里。
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