John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 6. Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church , etc] At Ephesus, where John was; these brethren and strangers coming thither, and being greatly affected with Gaius's kindness and liberality to them, could not forbear speaking of it to his praise, in the presence of the members of the church, as well as acquainted the Apostle John with it; the Syriac version reads, before the whole church; they bore testimony of his liberality in a very public manner And this the apostle mentions to encourage Gaius to go on, and continue in his kindness to the same persons, since they retained such a grateful sense of past favours; and whereas they were now returning back, he desires that he would give them some further assistance: whom if thou bring forward on their journey ; the word here used signifies, to send on before, as in ( Acts 15:3 20:38 21:5 Romans 15:24) ( 1 Corinthians 16:6,11 2 Corinthians 1:16 Titus 3:13), and is used by the Septuagint in the same sense as here, and in the above places, in ( Genesis 18:16); where it is said, that Abraham went with them (the angels) to bring them on in the way, jll , to send them on, or send them away; dismiss them, take his leave of them in a friendly and honourable way. The Targums of Onkelos and Jonathan render it, whyawwlal , to accompany them; and so this Greek word, which seems to answer to the Hebrew phrase, signifies an honourable accompanying, leading forth, and taking leave of friends; and so the apostle encourages Gaius to behave in like manner to the brethren and strangers; meaning, either by accompanying them in person, or by sending his servants along with them, both to direct them the way, and to secure them from danger, and chiefly by furnishing them with everything necessary for them; (see Titus 3:13). And this he would have him do, after a godly sort ; or worthy of God; in imitation of God, who is merciful, kind, and beneficent; or as it became him whom God had called by his grace to his kingdom and glory; or as it was fit and proper such servants of God, as those brethren were, should be used; and this would be doing well: thou shalt do well ; what is grateful and well pleasing to God, and beautiful and lovely in the eyes of his people.
Matthew Henry Commentary
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 an health are rich companions. Grace will employ health. A rich soul ma be lodged in a weak body; and grace must then be exercised i submitting to such a dispensation. But we may wish and pray that thos who have prosperous souls, may have healthful bodies; that their grac may shine where there is still more room for activity. How man professors there are, about whom the apostle's words must be reversed and we must earnestly wish and pray that their souls might prosper, a their health and circumstances do! True faith will work by love. A goo report is due from those who receive good; they could not but testif 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 an goodness of others. And as it is a joy to good parents, it will be joy to good ministers, to see their people adorn their profession Gaius overlooked petty differences among serious Christians, and freel helped all who bore the image, and did the work of Christ. He wa upright in what he did, as a faithful servant. Faithful souls can hea 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. Christian should consider not only what they must do, but what they may do; an should do even the common actions of life, and of good-will, after godly sort, serving God therein, and designing his glory. Those wh freely make known Christ's gospel, should be helped by others to who God gives the means. Those who cannot themselves proclaim it, may ye receive, help, and countenance those who do so.
Greek Textus Receptus
οι 3739 R-NPM εμαρτυρησαν 3140 5656 V-AAI-3P σου 4675 P-2GS τη 3588 T-DSF αγαπη 26 N-DSF ενωπιον 1799 ADV εκκλησιας 1577 N-GSF ους 3739 R-APM καλως 2573 ADV ποιησεις 4160 5692 V-FAI-2S προπεμψας 4311 5660 V-AAP-NSM αξιως 516 ADV του 3588 T-GSM θεου 2316 N-GSM
Vincent's NT Word Studies
6. The Church (ekklhsiav). See on Matt. xvi. 18.If thou bring forward on their journey (propemyav). Lit., having sent forward. The aorist tense represents the act as accomplished. Compare Acts xv. 3; Tit. iii. 13. Rev., set forward.
After a godly sort (axiwv tou Qeou). Lit., worthily of God. So Rev. Compare 1 Thess. ii. 12; Col. i. 10.
Thou shalt do well (kalwv poihseiv). For the phrase, see Acts x. 33; Philip. iv. 14; Jas. ii. 8, 19; 2 Pet. i. 19. Rev., renders the whole: whom thou wilt do well to set forward on their journey worthily of God.
