Friday, 23rd October 2026
Rev Xi An Poon
主題經文「我聽見我的兒女們按真理而行，我的喜樂就沒有比這個大的。」——約翰三書第4節，和合本
引言
約翰三書是一封充滿關懷的書信。約翰寫信給親愛的該猶，關心他的生活和身體，也為他生命中的美好見證感到喜樂。
作者自稱「作長老的」，教會傳統認為他是使徒約翰。當時，有一些弟兄為主的名出外傳道，需要各地信徒接待和支持。該猶忠心地接待他們，他們也把該猶的愛心帶到教會面前，為他作見證。
這封信也提到好為首的丟特腓。他拒絕接待弟兄，甚至阻擋願意接待的人。透過這些不同的生命表現，約翰讓我們看見，真理與人的生活有密切的關係。
整卷書從該猶裏面的生命，講到他待人的行動，再講到他如何與出外傳道的弟兄一同做工。一個與真理同行的生命，就這樣在書信中展現出來。
一、讓真理滋養生命，活出靈魂的興盛（第2至4節）
「親愛的兄弟啊，我願你凡事興盛，身體健壯，正如你的靈魂興盛一樣。」——約翰三書第2節
約翰的祝願，流露出他對該猶整個人的關懷。該猶日常的生活、身體的情況，都在他的掛念之中。而「正如你的靈魂興盛一樣」，讓我們知道，該猶裏面的生命，是約翰已經認識並且欣慰的。
凡事興盛、身體健壯、靈魂興盛，在這句話中放在一起。約翰沒有訂下三者的先後次序，也沒有說，靈魂興盛的人就必定身體健康、凡事順利。這是一份愛中的祝願。其中值得留意的是：當約翰祝願該猶外面的生活安好時，他所提到的，是該猶裏面已經有的興盛。
第3節接著說：「有弟兄來證明你心裏存的真理，正如你按真理而行，我就甚喜樂。」——約翰三書第3節
這節經文讓「靈魂興盛」有了具體的內容。該猶心裏存著真理，也按真理而行。他裏面的生命與所領受的真理相連，他的生活也與這真理一致。
因此，靈魂的興盛，有著清楚的屬靈內涵：真理住在人的心裏，也在人的生命中發揮作用。外面的處境會有改變，身體也會經歷軟弱，但真理仍然能夠堅固人的生命，使人在不同的境遇中繼續信靠主。
約翰看見該猶生命的可貴，是因為真理在他裏面有地位，並且在他的生活中留下見證。這份裏面的興盛，是約翰所珍惜、也為之喜樂的。
二、讓真理引導行動，結出愛心的果子（第3至6節）
「親愛的兄弟啊，凡你向作客旅之弟兄所行的，都是忠心的。」——約翰三書第5節
該猶心裏所存的真理，透過他對弟兄的接待顯明出來。
這些弟兄從別的地方來，與該猶原本素不相識，卻在他那裏得到接待和幫助。他對主的忠心，成為旅途中弟兄所經歷的愛。第6節說，他們在教會面前證明了該猶的愛。第3節提到他們見證該猶心裏的真理，第6節則提到他們見證該猶的愛。真理與愛，在同一個生命中一同顯明。
該猶的接待，使「按真理而行」成為一件看得見的事。弟兄們所見證的，是他怎樣對待他們，是他們在陌生地方得到的照顧和扶持。
真理在該猶心裏，也透過他的行動，成為別人的祝福。他的愛心有實際的付出，他的忠心也在接待弟兄的事情上顯明出來。
因此，約翰說：「我聽見我的兒女們按真理而行，我的喜樂就沒有比這個大的。」——約翰三書第4節
這是一位屬靈長者的喜樂。他聽見自己所愛的人繼續走在真理中，也聽見真理在他們生命中所結出的果子。從心裏存著真理，到生活中顯出愛心，該猶的生命是一致的。他所領受的真理，正在他與弟兄的關係中活出來。
三、讓真理連結彼此，同心參與福音的工作（第7至8節）
「所以我們應該接待這樣的人，叫我們與他們一同為真理做工。」——約翰三書第8節
約翰進一步說明，該猶的接待有甚麼意義。
這些弟兄「是為主的名出外」，並且「對於外邦人一無所取」（第7節）。他們為著主的名奔走，信徒的接待和供應，就成為他們旅途上的支持。因此，約翰把接待的人與出外的人連在一起，稱他們「一同為真理做工」。
出外的弟兄傳揚福音，該猶接待並幫助他們前行。他們所在的位置不同，所承擔的事情不同，卻有分於同一項工作。該猶所敞開的家、所付出的時間和資源，都成為弟兄的供應，也有分於福音的傳揚。約翰讓他知道，他的接待，在神的工作中有寶貴的意義。
讀到這裏，我也很感恩，神賜給我們教會接待的恩賜，讓我們有機會接待為主奔走的人，照顧他們，也支持他們的服事。透過這些相聚，我們得著祝福；我們的接待，也成為他們的扶持。
而這份接待，需要實際的經費，讓住宿、飲食和交通等需要得到供應。弟兄姊妹的金錢奉獻，正是支持這份事工的重要力量。因此，我想鼓勵弟兄姊妹，藉著甘心的金錢奉獻，一同支持教會的接待與福音事工。當我們的奉獻成為主僕人前行的供應，我們也就有分於他們所承擔的服事。正如約翰所說，這是「與他們一同為真理做工」。
這讓我們看見奉獻的寶貴意義。神把資源交託給祂的兒女，也讓這些資源透過愛心的擺上，成為福音工作的供應。出外的人與支持的人，就這樣在主裏連結，一同參與福音的傳揚。
書信後半段，丟特腓的表現與該猶形成鮮明的對照。他好為首，不接待弟兄，也禁止願意接待的人，甚至把他們趕出教會。他的態度破壞了肢體之間的相交。
約翰因此說：「親愛的兄弟啊，不要效法惡，只要效法善。」——約翰三書第11節
隨後，約翰提到低米丟，說他有眾人和真理為他作見證。該猶的接待、低米丟的美好見證，都讓人看見真理在生命中所結出的果子。與真理同行的生命，帶出愛心，也帶出彼此的扶持，使不同位置上的弟兄姊妹，同心參與主的工作。
總結
約翰三書把與真理同行的生命，清楚地展現在我們面前。
該猶心裏存著真理，顯出靈魂的興盛；他按真理而行，讓弟兄經歷愛心的接待；他也因著接待和供應，與為主奔走的人一同為真理做工。從裏面的生命，到生活中的愛，再到福音裏的同工，真理貫穿其中。
神賜給我們教會接待的恩賜，也讓我們透過金錢的奉獻，支持祂僕人的服事。一份甘心的擺上，成為別人前行的供應，也使我們有分於福音的傳揚。
約翰為這樣的生命感到喜樂：「我聽見我的兒女們按真理而行，我的喜樂就沒有比這個大的。」
Key Scripture
“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” —3 John 4, NKJV
Introduction
Third John is a letter filled with love and care. John writes to his beloved Gaius, expressing concern for his daily life and physical health. He also rejoices in the testimony of Gaius’s life.
The writer calls himself “the Elder,” traditionally understood by the church to be the apostle John. At that time, some believers travelled to different places to proclaim the gospel. They depended on the hospitality and support of fellow believers. Gaius faithfully welcomed them, and they testified before the church about his love.
The letter also mentions Diotrephes, who loved to have first place. He refused to receive the brethren and prevented others from welcoming them. Through these different responses, John shows how closely truth is connected to the way a person lives.
The letter moves from Gaius’s inner spiritual life to his treatment of others, and then to his partnership with those travelling for the gospel. Through his testimony, we see a life that walks in the truth.
- Let the Truth Nourish Life and Bring Spiritual Well-being
(Verses 2–4)
“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” —3 John 2, NKJV
John’s prayer reveals his concern for the whole person. Gaius’s daily circumstances and physical health both matter to him.
The words “just as your soul prospers” tell us that John already recognises the well-being of Gaius’s spiritual life.
Prosperity in daily life, physical health, and spiritual well-being appear together in this verse. John does not establish a sequence among them, nor does he say that a spiritually healthy person will always enjoy good health and favourable circumstances. These words express his loving prayer for Gaius.
What stands out is that, as John prays for Gaius’s outward well-being, he refers to the spiritual well-being already present within him.
Verse 3 explains: “For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth.” —3 John 3, NKJV
This verse gives substance to the expression “your soul prospers.” The truth lives in Gaius, and he walks in that truth. His inner life is rooted in what he has received, and his conduct agrees with it.
Spiritual well-being has a clear meaning here: truth has a place in a person’s heart and is at work in that person’s life.
Outward circumstances can change, and the body can experience weakness. Yet the truth continues to strengthen a person’s life, sustaining faith in the Lord through different situations.
John treasures Gaius’s life because the truth has a place within him and bears witness through the way he lives. This spiritual well-being brings John great joy.
- Let the Truth Guide Our Actions and Bear the Fruit of Love
(Verses 3–6)
“Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the brethren and for strangers.” —3 John 5, NKJV
The truth within Gaius becomes visible through his hospitality towards the brethren.
These believers came from other places. Some were strangers to him, yet they found welcome and support in his home. His faithfulness to the Lord became love that these travellers personally experienced.
Verse 6 tells us that they testified about his love before the church. In verse 3, they testify about the truth within him. In verse 6, they testify about his love. Truth and love are revealed together in the same life.
Through Gaius’s hospitality, walking in the truth becomes something others can see. The brethren testify about how he treated them—the care and support they received in an unfamiliar place.
The truth lives in Gaius’s heart, and through his actions it becomes a blessing to others. His love involves practical generosity, and his faithfulness is expressed through welcoming the brethren.
Therefore, John says: “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” —3 John 4, NKJV
These are the words of a spiritual father rejoicing over those he loves. He hears that they continue to walk in the truth, and he hears about the fruit that truth is producing in their lives.
There is consistency between the truth in Gaius’s heart and the love expressed in his conduct. What he has received is being lived out in his relationships with the brethren.
- Let the Truth Unite Us in the Work of the Gospel
(Verses 7–8)
“We therefore ought to receive such, that we may become fellow workers for the truth.”
—3 John 8, NKJV
John goes on to explain the significance of Gaius’s hospitality.
These brethren went out for the sake of the Lord’s name, receiving no support from the Gentiles. The hospitality and provision of fellow believers sustained them on their journeys.
John therefore connects those who welcome with those who go out, calling them “fellow workers for the truth.”
The travelling brethren proclaim the gospel. Gaius welcomes them and helps them continue their journey. Their positions and responsibilities differ, yet they share in the same work.
The home Gaius opens, the time he gives, and the resources he provides all help sustain the brethren and support the spread of the gospel. John assures him that his hospitality has a precious place in God’s work.
As I read this, I am also thankful that God has given our church the gift of hospitality. We have opportunities to welcome those who serve the Lord, care for them, and support their ministry. Through these visits, we receive blessings, and our hospitality also becomes an encouragement and support to them.
This ministry requires financial provision for accommodation, meals, transport, and other practical needs. The financial offerings of our brothers and sisters are an important part of sustaining this work.
Therefore, I want to encourage our brothers and sisters to give willingly towards our church’s hospitality and gospel ministry. As our offerings help provide for the Lord’s servants, we share in the ministry entrusted to them. As John says, we become “fellow workers for the truth.”
This reveals the precious meaning of giving. God entrusts resources to His children, and through their loving generosity, those resources become provision for the work of the gospel. Those who go and those who support are joined together in the Lord, sharing in the spread of the good news.
In the latter part of the letter, Diotrephes stands in clear contrast to Gaius. He loves to have first place, refuses to receive the brethren, and prevents others from welcoming them. He even puts those who wish to help out of the church. His attitude damages the fellowship among believers.
John therefore writes:
“Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good.”
—3 John 11, NKJV
John then mentions Demetrius, who has a good testimony from everyone and from the truth itself. Gaius’s hospitality and Demetrius’s good testimony both reveal the fruit that truth produces in a person’s life.
A life that walks in the truth expresses love and strengthens fellowship, bringing believers in different roles together in the Lord’s work.
Conclusion
Third John gives us a clear picture of a life that walks in the truth.
The truth lives within Gaius, revealing his spiritual well-being. He walks in that truth, allowing the brethren to experience loving hospitality. Through his welcome and provision, he becomes a fellow worker with those who go out for the Lord’s name.
From inner spiritual life to practical love, and then to partnership in the gospel, truth runs through it all.
God has given our church the gift of hospitality. Through financial giving, we can support the ministry of His servants. A willing offering becomes provision for someone’s onward journey and gives us a share in the spread of the gospel.
John rejoices over such a life:
“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.”
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