Beloved, I pray that in every way you may prosper and enjoy good health, as your soul also prospers.
Parallel translations
- WEB Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be healthy, even as your soul prospers.
- KJV Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
- NKJV Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.
- NASB Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.
- NLT Dear friend, I hope all is well with you and that you are as healthy in body as you are strong in spirit.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
John prays for Gaius's physical health and outward prosperity to match the evident health of his soul. It models loving, whole-person concern while keeping spiritual flourishing primary.
Overview
This is a warm prayer-wish typical of ancient letters, expressing John's affection for his friend. The standard against which John measures everything is the prosperity of Gaius's soul, which was already thriving. Far from a 'prosperity gospel' guarantee of wealth, the verse assumes that spiritual well-being is the truest measure of a person's flourishing, a health that comes through abiding in Christ.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 17
- 2 Pet 1:3–9His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.
- 2 Pet 3:18But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
- Col 1:4–6because we have heard about your faith in Christ Jesus and your love for all the saints—
- 1 Pet 4:8Above all, love one another deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
- Ps 20:1–5For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.
- 1 Th 2:13–14And we continually thank God because, when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as the true word of God—the word which is now at work in you who believe.
- 2 Th 1:3We are obligated to thank God for you all the time, brothers, as is fitting, because your faith is growing more and more, and your love for one another is increasing.
- Phlm 1:5–7because I hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints.
- 1 Th 1:3–10and continually recalling before our God and Father your work of faith, your labor of love, and your enduring hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
- Phil 2:4Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
- Jas 5:12Above all, my brothers, do not swear, not by heaven or earth or by any other oath. Simply let your “Yes” be yes, and your “No,” no, so that you will not fall under judgment.
- Rev 2:9I know your affliction and your poverty—though you are rich! And I am aware of the slander of those who falsely claim to be Jews, but are in fact a synagogue of Satan.
- Phil 2:27He was sick indeed, nearly unto death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow.
- 1 Th 3:6–9But just now, Timothy has returned from his visit with the good news about your faith, your love, and the fond memories you have preserved, longing to see us just as we long to see you.
- 3 Jn 1:3–6For I was overjoyed when the brothers came and testified about your devotion to the truth, in which you continue to walk.
- 1 Th 2:19–20After all, who is our hope, our joy, our crown of boasting, if it is not you yourselves in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming?
- 2 Th 2:13But we should always thank God for you, brothers who are loved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning to be saved by the sanctification of the Spirit and by faith in the truth.
Resources, by level
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Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
Faithful love shown for the sake of 'the Name' is service rendered to Christ, who is the truth in which his people walk.
How 3 John 1:2 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.