3 John 1:2
What does 3 John 1:2 mean?
A plain-English look at 3 John 1:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 3 John 1:2 means
John prays for Gaius’s overall prosperity and bodily health to match the evident health of his soul. This is not a shallow wish for wealth but a pastoral concern that every part of Gaius’s life flourish under God’s care. John sees spiritual vitality as the primary reality and asks that outward circumstances harmonize with it. The verse shows that mature Christian friendship cares about both spiritual and practical well-being. It also subtly honors Gaius: his inner life is thriving, and John longs for the same wholeness in his daily affairs. Such a prayer recognizes God as the source of both spiritual growth and earthly provision.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Beloved, I pray that in all things thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Beloved, I pray that in all things thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949My loved one, it is my prayer that you may do well in all things, and be healthy in body, even as your soul does well.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862beloved, concerning all things I desire thee to prosper, and to be in health, even as thy soul doth prosper,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Dearly beloved, concerning all things I make it my prayer that thou mayest proceed prosperously and fare well, as thy soul doth prosperously.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Beloved, I desire that in all things thou shouldest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospers.
Context
Having introduced Gaius with sincere love (v. 1), John turns to a specific prayer for his friend’s welfare. This sets the relational warmth of the letter and anticipates the report of Gaius’s faithful walk (vv. 3–4). The affirmation of Gaius’s prospering soul anchors the commendations to come, especially the praise for his hospitality to traveling brothers (vv. 5–8). It also prepares a contrast with Diotrephes later in the letter (vv. 9–10), showing that true spiritual health expresses itself in love and truth, not in self-promotion or harshness.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Philemon 1:5
hearing of thy love, and of the faith which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all the saints;
- Psalms 20:1
Jehovah answer thee in the day of trouble; The name of the God of Jacob set thee up on high;
- 3 John 1:3
For I rejoiced greatly, when brethren came and bare witness unto thy truth, even as thou walkest in truth.
- 2 Thessalonians 1:3
We are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren, even as it is meet, for that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the love of each one of you all toward one another aboundeth;
- Philippians 2:4
not looking each of you to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others.
- Philippians 2:27
for indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, that I might not have sorrow upon sorrow.
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