Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 3 John 1:5

"Beloved, thou doest a faithful work in whatsoever thou doest toward them that are brethren and strangers withal;" — 3 John 1:5 (ASV)

The writer’s warm feeling shines through again as he for the third time addresses Gaius as his “dear friend” (cf. vv.1–2). Now he commends him for his hospitality to Christian brothers who came from the elder to visit the church, even though they were at the time unknown to Gaius. Likely Gaius’s actions were in contrast to what others in his church did, and he may have incurred their displeasure. Although hospitality was required of all Christians (Matthew 10:10; Romans 12:13; 1 Timothy 3:2; 1 Timothy 5:10; Hebrews 13:2), it was sometimes necessary to refuse it (2Jn 10).