OVERVIEW: The letter ends in exactly the same way as does 2 John (HILARY OF ARLES) and provides strong evidence not only that they were written by the same person (OECUMENIUS) but that they were sent to the same church at the same time. Do not let quarrelsomeness with its love of empty victory creep into our midst, for our aim is the elimination of all discord (CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA).
MUCH TO WRITE. HILARY OF ARLES: John means by this that he still has many commands to give them. INTRODUCTORY COMMENTARY ON 3 JOHN.1
THE SAME GREETING. OECUMENIUS: This is just the same as what John said at the end of his previous letter, and there is no point repeating the remarks which I made there. COMMENTARY ON 3 JOHN.2
PEACE TO ALL. CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA: Do not let quarrelsomeness with its love of empty victory creep into our midst, for our aim is the elimination of all discord. Surely this is the meaning of the expression “Peace be to you.” THE TEACHER 2.7.58.3
THE FRIENDS GREET YOU. BEDE: John sends the grace of peace and salvation to his friends in order to demonstrate that Diotrephes and other enemies of the truth have no part in their peace or salvation. ON 3 JOHN.4