3 John 1:14Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

We must not allow ourselves, in the heat of disputes, to descend into quarrelsomeness through a vain desire to win. Our aim is not to raise noise and confusion, but to establish tranquility of soul. The Apostle also wishes to accomplish this by his word: “Peace to you.” Before you have heard anything, do not answer.

Something similar was said by John and explained by me at the end of the preceding Epistle. Therefore it would be superfluous to repeat the same thing again.

John sends to his friends the grace of peace and salvation. By this he shows that Diotrephes and the other enemies of the truth have no share in salvation and peace.

“Many things,” and so forth: see the note on 2 Jn 1:12.

Having not expressed at the beginning the most important wish, peace, the Apostle gives it at the end of the Epistle. Perhaps this was especially necessary because of the disorder produced by Diotrephes and those like him. This wish was as necessary as it was consoling, since it was given by the most venerable and holy Apostle John the Theologian. The remembrance of friends breathes the same consolation, with a greeting from them. So also does the greeting sent to all the Christians surrounding Gaius.