⁵Beloved, you are acting faithfully in whatever you accomplish for the brethren, and especially when they are strangers; >6and they have testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God. ⁷For they went out for the sake of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. ⁸Therefore we ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers with the truth.

In the ancient world, hotels and motels where travelers paid for temporary accommodations existed, but they were often sketchy places. Traveling, in general, was not as safe where bandits could easily harass wayfarers. Traveling in a group was the safest way to go, as we see in Paul’s missionary journeys (see, for example, Acts 20:4). Traveling evangelists and teachers were not uncommon in those early days, as churches shared the gifted believers to spread the Word of truth. Local churches were thrilled to receive fellow believers who traveled to their areas.

The word “hospitality” is not used here but very well could be. It is commanded no fewer than five times in the NT (Rom. 12:13, 1 Tim. 3:2, Titus 1:8, Heb. 13:2, 1 Peter 4:9). The Greek word for hospitality derives from two combined words, “philos” (“brother love”) and “zenos” (“strangers”). In our passage, John commends Gaius for his attitude toward traveling Christians, whom he had never met before. Some of those traveling Christians spoke to John about the incredible reception they had from Gaius.

But there is more here. Those travelers were not just Christians traveling for business or family events. They were individuals who “went out for the sake of the Name.” In other words, God had commissioned them to spread the Word of Jesus Christ (here referred to as “the Name”). We are reminded of Philip, an example of a traveling evangelist, who went about “preaching the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ” (Acts 8:12).

Of course, travelers have many practical daily needs for food, clothing, and accommodations. So John encourages Gaius to take his hospitality up a notch and “send them on their way in a manner worthy of God.” It is not difficult to see that John is talking about financially supporting those who have left all to go out to preach and teach the Word and proclaim the name of Jesus Christ. We can do that by providing accommodations, meals, and finances to help with the many travel expenses. In so doing, we are partners with them in the spread of the truth.

Lord, help me be in tune with the needs of those who serve You in ministry so that I may partner with them through financial support and hospitality.