3 John 1:6

“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…”

“borne witness of thy charity before the church--to stimulate others by the good example. The brethren so entertained by Gaius were missionary evangelists (Jo3 1:7); and, probably, in the course of narrating their missionary labors for the edification of the Church where John then was, incidentally mentioned the loving hospitality shown them by Gaius. bring forward on their journey--"If thou (continue to) forward on their journey" by giving them provisions for the way. after a godly sort--Greek, "in a manner worthy of God," whose ambassadors they are, and whose servant thou art. He who honors God's missionary servants (Jo3 1:7), honors God.”

“Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church - It would seem that they had returned to John, and borne honorable testimony to the love manifested to them by Gaius. Before what church they had borne this testimony is unknown. Perhaps it was the church in Ephesus. Whom if thou bring forward on their journey - οὕς προπέμψας hous propempsas. “Whom bringing forward, or having brought forward.” The word refers to aid rendered to them in their journey, in facilitating their travels, either by personally accompanying them, by furnishing them the means of prosecuting their journey, or by hospitably entertaining them. Gaius probably aided them in every way in which it was practicable.…”

“Who have testified of thy love before the church - The congregation with whom I now reside. Whom if thou send forward on their journey - Supplied with what is needful. Thou shalt do well - How tenderly does the apostle enjoin this! 3 John 1:7”

“1:6 The church here was most likely in Ephesus, where John was probably staying. Ephesus was an important port city in the province of Asia, and the fourth-largest city in the Roman Empire. It became an important city for the Christian community (Acts 18:19–19:41; 1 Tim 1:3; 1 Pet 1:1; Rev 2:1-7).”

“have borne witness of thy charity: Jo3 1:12; Plm 1:5-7 whom: Act 15:3, Act 21:5; Rom 15:24; Co2 1:16; Tit 3:13 after a godly sort: or, worthy of God, This is a literal and proper rendering of the original αξιως \[Strong's G516\], του \[Strong's G5120\], Θεου \[Strong's G2316\], by which the antecedent to the possessive pronoun his, in the next verse, becomes immediately apparent. "In a manner worthy of God, and of your relations and obligations to Him, and such as He can approve." Th1 2:12 do well: Gen 4:7; Jon 4:4; Mat 25:21-23; Act 15:29; Phi 4:14; Pe1 2:20 3 John 1:7”