Albert Barnes Commentary 3 John 1:6

"who bare witness to thy love before the church: whom thou wilt do well to set forward on their journey worthily of God:" — 3 John 1:6 (ASV)

Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church. It would seem that they had returned to John, and borne honourable testimony to the love manifested to them by Gaius. Before what church they had borne this testimony is unknown. Perhaps it was the church in Ephesus.

Whom if thou bring forward on their journey, ouv propemqav. "Whom bringing forward, or having brought forward." The word refers to aid rendered to them in their journey, in facilitating their travels, either by personally accompanying them, by furnishing them the means of prosecuting their journey, or by hospitably entertaining them.

Probably Gaius aided them in every way that was practicable. The question has been raised whether this refers to the fact that he had thus aided them in some visit they had made to the church where Gaius was, or to a visit they planned to make.

The Greek would seem to favour the latter construction. Yet, it would appear from the epistle that the "brethren and strangers" actually had been with him; they had been rejected by the church through the influence of Diotrephes, had been thrown upon the hospitality of Gaius, and had returned, bearing honourable testimony to his hospitality.

These views can be reconciled by Lücke's supposition. He suggests that having once traveled and shared Gaius's hospitality, these individuals were planning to visit that region again. Consequently, John, praising Gaius for his former hospitality, commends them to him once more. John also states the reason (3 John 1:9–10) why he did not, in accordance with usual custom, recommend them to the care of the church.

They had now gone out (3 John 1:7) on the same errand on which they had formerly gone, and they now had equal claims to the hospitality of the friends of religion.

After a godly sort. Margin, as in Greek, worthy of God. The meaning is, this is as becomes those who serve God, or as becomes those who are professors of His religion.

Thou shalt do well. You will do what religion requires in these circumstances.