Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;
The verse is a commendation of Gaius for acting faithfully in whatever he does for the brethren and for strangers. The brethren and strangers are preachers of the gospel to the Gentiles who had been commended to the hospitality of the church to which Gaius belongs. Though these missionaries are not influential men, a kind reception should always be given to God's missionaries. Gaius's charitable hospitality toward them was borne witness to before the church.
His faithful hospitality stands in direct contrast to Diotrephes, whose course was rooted in self-superiority and love of preeminence. Diotrephes hindered the reception of the missionaries and treated them disrespectfully, refusing them himself, forbidding those who would receive them, and persecuting and casting out of the church those who did. His discourteous, evil example is not to be followed.
Traveling evangelists or missionaries in any line of work should receive hospitality from the members of the churches among whom they labor. Brethren and sisters should make a home for these workers even at considerable personal sacrifice. Christ keeps an account of every expense incurred in entertaining for His sake and supplies all that is necessary for this work. Those who for Christ's sake entertain their brethren, doing their best to make the visit profitable both to their guests and to themselves, are recorded in heaven as worthy of special blessings.
The verse is a commendation of Gaius for acting faithfully in whatever he does for the brethren and for strangers. The brethren and strangers are preachers of the gospel to the Gentiles who had been commended to the hospitality of the church to which Gaius belongs. Though these missionaries are not influential men, a kind reception should always be given to God's missionaries. Gaius's charitable hospitality toward them was borne witness to before the church.
His faithful hospitality stands in direct contrast to Diotrephes, whose course was rooted in self-superiority and love of preeminence. Diotrephes hindered the reception of the missionaries and treated them disrespectfully, refusing them himself, forbidding those who would receive them, and persecuting and casting out of the church those who did. His discourteous, evil example is not to be followed.
Traveling evangelists or missionaries in any line of work should receive hospitality from the members of the churches among whom they labor. Brethren and sisters should make a home for these workers even at considerable personal sacrifice. Christ keeps an account of every expense incurred in entertaining for His sake and supplies all that is necessary for this work. Those who for Christ's sake entertain their brethren, doing their best to make the visit profitable both to their guests and to themselves, are recorded in heaven as worthy of special blessings.