Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 3 John 1:8

"We therefore ought to welcome such, that we may be fellow-workers for the truth." — 3 John 1:8 (ASV)

Whether this call “to show hospitality” (GK 5696) is based on the principle that by their support church members are fellow laborers with missionaries in proclaiming the Gospel (cf 2 Corinthians 8:23; Colossians 4:11) or whether such support guarantees participation in the truth is not clear. In the Johannine community, koinonia (i.e., “fellowship”; cf. 1Jn 1:3-4) required the former, while obedience to the commands of Christ demanded the latter. The author could be deliberately ambiguous, desiring both alternatives.