“…who have borne witness of your love before the church. If you send them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God, you will do well…”

 who have borne witness of your love before the church.

John dispatched ministers to the church at Ephesus, but Diotrephes refused to host them. However, Gaius did graciously host them. These itinerant travelers returned to John after visiting Gaius and reported that he had shown them hospitality in Ephesus. His love was in action, not mere sentiment. John spent his later years in Ephesus. 

If you send them forward on their journey

The phrase send forward conveys the idea of providing supplies. John did not want to blunt Gaius’ hospitality to legitimate teachers of the truth, so he urged him to continue it (Ac 15:3; 20:38; 2:15; Ro. 15:24; 1 Co. 16:6, 11; 2 Co. 1:16; Ti 3:13). 

in a manner worthy of God,

The phrase “worthy of God” literally means “worthily of God.” The emphasis is on manner. Gaius’ hospitality to servants of Christ gave praise to God in a manner consistent with his God (Co 1:10; 1 Th 2:12). The way he showed hospitality praised God. Gaius had a high degree of comparable worth, fitting and proper for what is expected of a spiritual leader. John deemed his life to correspond to God’s standard for living.

Eph 4:1, “I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called…”

you will do well

John now asks Gaius to serve itinerant teachers again. Demetrius may have been one of these itinerant teachers. This both pleased God and is lovely in the eyes of those who benefited from Gaius’ action. 

PRINCIPLE: 

We give praise to God by sharing our resources. 

APPLICATION: 

The motivation for ministry should be outgoing love that is self-giving and spontaneous. People who truly love God do not begrudge giving to the cause of Christ. They willingly invite speakers and missionaries into their homes, serve them a good meal, and learn their specific needs. They also willingly help in practical ways, such as driving a visiting speaker to the airport and making sure he has something to eat.