World English Bible · Under Rome
3 John
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The elder to the beloved, whom I love in truth. Beloved, I that you may prosper in all things and be healthy, even as your prospers. For I rejoiced greatly when brothers came and testified about your truth, even as you walk in truth. I have no greater joy than this: to hear about my children walking in truth. Beloved, you do a work in whatever you accomplish for those who are brothers and strangers. They have testified about your love before . You will do well to send them forward on their journey in a way worthy of , because for the sake of the Name they went out, taking nothing from the . We therefore ought to receive such, that we may be fellow workers for the truth. I wrote to , but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, doesn't accept what we say. Therefore, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with words. Not content with this, he doesn't receive the brothers himself, and those who would, he forbids and throws out of . Beloved, don't imitate that which is evil, but that which is good. He who does good is of . He who does evil hasn't seen . Demetrius has the of all, and of the truth itself; yes, we also testify, and you know that our is true. I had many things to write to you, but I am unwilling to write to you with ink and pen; but I to see you soon. Then we will speak to . Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.
A public domain modern English translation, free to read and share. Notes and cards are EKLI’s own.
The world at this moment · Under Rome, 63 BC to AD 100 ›
Judea as a client kingdom and then a province. Roads, garrisons, taxes, crucifixion, and a common Greek language that let a message travel the empire faster than any before it.
- Rome
- The republic tears itself apart in civil war and comes out as an empire under Augustus. What follows is two centuries of relative peace across the whole Mediterranean, enforced by legions and paid for by taxes, with safe roads and safe sea lanes. Every one of Paul's journeys depends on that.
- Judea
- Governed first through Herod the Great, a client king of enormous ability and enormous brutality who rebuilds the temple into one of the wonders of the ancient world, then directly by Roman prefects. Crucifixion is the standard penalty for sedition and is used often and publicly.
- The wider world
- Greek is spoken from Spain to Syria, which means a letter written in Corinth can be read in Rome without translation. Jewish communities already exist in most major cities, which is where the first Christian preaching lands. Mystery religions, imperial cult, and philosophy all compete in the same marketplace.
- Further afield
- The Han dynasty rules China and trades silk westward along routes that touch the Roman world at second hand. In Britain the Roman conquest begins within a decade of the crucifixion.
All of 3 John