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 John
wrote, “Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest
to the brethren, and to strangers.” (KJ) The A. S. translates,
“and strangers withal;” and the context clearly indicates
that these “strangers” were brethren in Christ. Alford,
Vincent, Robertson, and many other scholars explain the
grammatical construction; but we common folk would just say, “It’s
good when you encourage traveling brethren, and strangers at
that;” or “even though they are strangers.” (And I’m not
even a “translator.”)
This
passage in 3 Jn. 5 is addressed to Gaius (v.1), and whether this
is the Gaius of Rom. 16:23 or not it seems significant that Paul
calls Gaius “host” of the whole church. The word “host”
and “stranger” are from the same Greek word, xenos.
Thayer says the word “from Homer down” meant “a guest—friend;”
and it is combined with philos to make a word meaning,
“loving a stranger” or “hospitality.” The scriptures
abound with exhortations to “love strangers” i.e. “show
hospitality.” (Rom. 12:13; 1 Tim. 3:2; Heb. 13:2; 1 Pet. 4:9)
BRETHREN,
AM I WASTING MY TIME AND SPACE? Is there no point here for us?
The
“hospitality” urged upon all Christians is not “coffee or
punch” for after-service visiting of close friends. It is love
for strangers. We have motels, etc., to care for general public
needs, and in this day of affluence most travelers prefer such
facilities to staying in a private home. (Sometimes it may be
more hospitable to provide a motel room, especially for
one long on the road. But our obligation to “entertain
strangers”
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(Heb. 13:2) is not changed. In one
realm, particularly, we may find application for this
admonition.
The
“strangers” of 3 John were traveling “for His name’s
sake” or to promote the cause of Christ. It was “that we
might be fellow- helpers to the truth” that John urged
reception of such — the Christ-like virtue of hospitality
being enhanced by the fact that these travelers were known and
judged only by the truth which they preached. They may have been
aliens, foreigners, within the bounds of the language. The
possibility of an inclination to reject, from a
personal viewpoint, is the very thing which makes the reception
so beautiful. We are discussing hospitality — not a
pride-pleasing opportunity to “show off” our home to
influential friends and neighbors.
Today,
“strangers” may come our way in the interest of the Lord’s
work in foreign lands. They may speak a different language, or
have accents “strange” to our ears. Our colors may differ.
As the preaching of the gospel in foreign (to our) lands
increase (may God speed the day) these contacts must increase.
This means we will have increasing opportunities to “do
faithfully” to and for brethren, “even strangers.” Let us
carefully guard against selfish, home-bound attitudes. These are
not second -class citizens in God’s kingdom. Granting
soundness in life and practice (and your closest friend must be
measured by the same standard) these brethren deserve our help. Remember,
Christ may come as a stranger! (Matt. 25:43)
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