3 John 1:1 The commander [John as non-resident pastor-teacher] to my dear friend, Gaius, whom I [agape] love in the sphere of doctrine:

3 John 1:2 Dear friend, I pray above all things for you that you might continue to be financially prosperous and remain in good health, just as your soul continues to be prosperous [three things that assist in good administration].

3 John 1:3 For I was very happy when brethren [evangelists, missionaries] came and testified with reference to your doctrine, to the degree that you are continuing to walk [perception and application] by means of doctrine.

3 John 1:4 I have no greater happiness that this: that I might continue to hear that my students [non-resident congregations] are continuing to walk in the sphere of doctrine.

3 John 1:5 Dear friend, you are applying doctrine whenever you are providing [hospitality] to the brethren [members of his own congregation] and especially to strangers [evangelists and missionaries],

3 John 1:6 Who have testified about your virtue love before the assembly [in Ephesus]; you will continue to perform [provide hospitality] honorably when you assist them on their journey in a manner worthy of God.

3 John 1:7 For on behalf of His name [Jesus Christ] they went out [as evangelists and missionaries], taking nothing from unbelievers [the heathen].

3 John 1:8 Therefore, we ought to support [underwrite] such persons as these [evangelists and missionaries], so that we might become fellow workers for doctrine.

3 John 1:9 I wrote something [doctrinal letter] to the assembly, but Diotrephes, one who wants to be leader over them, did not recognize us [rejected the authority of John and the letter bearers]. 

3 John 1:10 For this reason, if I must come before the assembly [to straighten things out], I will point out his deeds [public embarrassment] which he is performing [in authority arrogance], slandering us with evil words, and because he is not satisfied with the status quo [arrogance of unhappiness], neither does he himself recognize the brethren [congregational vote], and being determined [locked-in arrogance], he hinders them [prevents positive believers from learning doctrine] and expels them out from the assembly.

3 John 1:11 Dear friend, do not follow evil [the modus operandi of Diotrephes], but instead divine good. He who makes it a practice to perform divine good [functions inside the divine system] is from God [as a representative]; he who makes it a practice to perform evil [functions inside the cosmic system] does not understand God [no fellowship with Divinity].

3 John 1:12 With reference to Demetrius [as a replacement for Diotrephes], he has been approved of by all [concerned] as well as by doctrine itself. In fact, we ourselves [John and leaders in his local congregation] also approve, and you know from the past and still know in the present that our testimony [as character witnesses] is accurate.

3 John 1:13 I have many things to write to you, but [due to canonicity and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit] I do not wish to write to you with ink and reed pen.

3 John 1:14 But I hope to see you shortly, and then we will speak face-to-face [social life]. Prosperity [peace] to you. Your friends [in Ephesus] salute you. Salute my friends [in Pergamus] by name.