George Leo Haydock Catholic Bible Commentary (4 verse expositions)
“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.”
No greater grace. That is, nothing that gives me greater joy and satisfaction. (Challoner)
“Because that for his name's sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.”
Taking nothing of the Gentiles. These ministers and preachers of the gospel, whom St. John recommends, took care, as St. Paul did, not to take any thing of the Gentiles, to whom they preached, lest they should be thought to preach to get money by it. But he puts Gaius in mind, that by assisting such men, he would become a fellow labourer in the gospel, and have a share in their reward. (Witham)
“I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.”
Diotrephes….doth not receive us, nor those we recommend, but prattles and talks against me. We know no more of this man, nor of Demetrius, of whom St. John gives so favourable a character. (Witham) — It seemeth, saith Ven. Bede, that he was an arch heretic, or proud sect master—upomneso. I will rebuke them, and make them known to be wicked. (Ven. Bede)
“But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name. face to: Gr. mouth to mouth”
This was a very usual salutation among the Jews, by which they wished every possible blessing might come upon their friends they thus saluted. (Menochius)