King James Version

What Does 3 John 1:14 Mean?

3 John 1:14 in the King James Version says “But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Greet ... — study this verse from 3 John chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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

3 John 1:14 · KJV


Context

12

Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true.

13

I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee:

14

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


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. John concludes with anticipated reunion: "I trust" (ἐλπίζω, elpizō) expresses confident hope, not mere wish. "Shortly" (εὐθέως, eutheōs) means immediately or soon, indicating John expected to visit before long. "We shall speak face to face" (στόμα πρὸς στόμα λαλήσομεν, stoma pros stoma lalēsomen)—literally "mouth to mouth we shall speak"—emphasizes direct, personal communication contrasting with written correspondence. This Hebrew idiom (cf. Numbers 12:8) denotes intimate, unmediated conversation.

"Peace be to thee" (εἰρήνη σοι, eirēnē soi) offers traditional Hebrew blessing (שָׁלוֹם, shalom). Biblical peace transcends absence of conflict, encompassing wholeness, wellbeing, harmonious relationship with God, and spiritual prosperity. This blessing particularly fits Gaius's situation: facing church conflict with Diotrephes, he needed divine peace sustaining him in difficulty. Christ's peace guards believers' hearts and minds (Philippians 4:7) even amid external turmoil.

"Our friends salute thee" (ἀσπάζονταί σε οἱ φίλοι, aspazontai se hoi philoi) sends greetings from John's circle. "Friends" (φίλοι, philoi) appears rarely in New Testament to describe fellow believers—usually "brethren" (ἀδελφοί). Jesus notably called His disciples "friends" (John 15:13-15), transforming the relationship from servants to intimate companions. "Greet the friends by name" (ἀσπάζου τοὺς φίλους κατ᾽ ὄνομα, aspazou tous philous kat' onoma) instructs Gaius to individually greet John's acquaintances in that church. This personal touch reflects the epistle's intimate tone and emphasizes knowing believers individually, not merely as anonymous crowd. Christ knows His sheep by name (John 10:3); we should similarly know and care for individual believers.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Early Christianity's close-knit fellowship networks extended across cities and regions through traveling ministers, merchants, and personal relationships. Greetings exchanged in letters maintained these connections, encouraged isolated believers, and strengthened sense of belonging to universal church. Such personal touches humanized distant Christians and reminded readers they were part of a global family, not isolated communities.

The term "friends" (φίλοι) particularly resonates with John's gospel, where Jesus redefines friendship: "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you" (John 15:13-15). Christian friendship transcends social pleasantries, rooted in shared love for Christ, mutual commitment to truth, and willingness to sacrifice for one another's good.

Greeting "by name" reflects biblical emphasis on personal knowledge. God knows His people individually (Isaiah 43:1, John 10:3), calls them by name, and invests in personal relationships rather than treating them as anonymous masses. This counters both ancient and modern tendencies toward impersonal religion focused on ritual compliance rather than relational knowing. The church is a body of individually known, loved, and valued members, each contributing uniquely to the whole.

Reflection Questions

  1. Do you have genuine spiritual friendships characterized by mutual commitment to truth, love, and sacrifice?
  2. How well do you know individual believers in your church by name, situation, and need?
  3. Are you regularly speaking peace, blessing, and encouragement over fellow Christians?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 21 words
ἐλπίζω1 of 21

I trust

G1679

to expect or confide

δὲ2 of 21

But

G1161

but, and, etc

εὐθέως3 of 21

shortly

G2112

directly, i.e., at once or soon

ἰδεῖν4 of 21

I shall

G1492

used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl

σε,5 of 21

thee

G4571

thee

καὶ6 of 21

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

στόμα7 of 21

face

G4750

the mouth (as if a gash in the face); by implication, language (and its relations); figuratively, an opening (in the earth); specially, the front or e

πρὸς8 of 21

to

G4314

a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,

στόμα9 of 21

face

G4750

the mouth (as if a gash in the face); by implication, language (and its relations); figuratively, an opening (in the earth); specially, the front or e

λαλήσομεν10 of 21

we shall speak

G2980

to talk, i.e., utter words

εἰρήνῃ11 of 21

Peace

G1515

peace (literally or figuratively); by implication, prosperity

σοι.12 of 21

be to thee

G4671

to thee

ἀσπάζου13 of 21

Greet

G782

to enfold in the arms, i.e., (by implication) to salute, (figuratively) to welcome

σε,14 of 21

thee

G4571

thee

οἱ15 of 21
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

φίλους16 of 21

Our friends

G5384

actively, fond, i.e., friendly (still as a noun, an associate, neighbor, etc.)

ἀσπάζου17 of 21

Greet

G782

to enfold in the arms, i.e., (by implication) to salute, (figuratively) to welcome

τοὺς18 of 21
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

φίλους19 of 21

Our friends

G5384

actively, fond, i.e., friendly (still as a noun, an associate, neighbor, etc.)

κατ'20 of 21

by

G2596

(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)

ὄνομα21 of 21

name

G3686

a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 3 John. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

3 John 1:14 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 3 John 1:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study