Bible Strands
3 John 1:7
For they went out on behalf of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The author writes to Gaius, addressing the church's recent experience with traveling missionaries who testified to the congregation about the recipient's love. The letter instructs Gaius to provide practical hospitality to these workers so the community may cooperate in advancing the gospel.
The words — The phrase ὑπὲρ τοῦ ὀνόματος (huper tou onomatos) literally means "on behalf of the Name," indicating the missionaries' mission is directed toward Christ rather than personal gain. The participle λαμβανόντες (lambanontes) translates as "accepting," paired with μηδὲν (mēden) to emphasize they took no payment from the Gentiles.
The thread — This pattern of serving the Name without financial support from outsiders echoes the perseverance described in Revelation 2:3 and the servant posture outlined in 2 Corinthians 4:5. The principle of sustaining truth workers so others may become fellow laborers is established in the immediate context of 3 John 1:8.
Why it lands — The text requires readers to evaluate whether their support for gospel workers stems from loyalty to Christ or personal preference. It demands practical cooperation with those who refuse financial compensation, ensuring the mission remains centered on the truth.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Because that for his name’s sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.
Cross-references
- 2 Corinthians 4:5 For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.
- 2 Kings 5:15 Then Naaman and all his attendants went back to the man of God, stood before him, and declared, “Now I know for sure that there is no God in all the earth except in Israel. So please accept a gift from your servant.”
- Revelation 2:3 Without growing weary, you have persevered and endured many things for the sake of My name.
- 1 Corinthians 9:18 What then is my reward? That in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not use up my rights in preaching it.
- 2 Corinthians 11:7 Was it a sin for me to humble myself in order to exalt you, because I preached the gospel of God to you free of charge?
- 2 Corinthians 12:13 In what way were you inferior to the other churches, except that I was not a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!
- Colossians 1:24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions for the sake of His body, which is the church.
- 2 Kings 5:20 Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, “Look, my master has spared this Aramean, Naaman, by not accepting what he brought. As surely as the LORD lives, I will run after him and get something from him.”
- Acts 5:41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.
- Acts 8:4 Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.