3 John 1:2 (NKJV)
2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.
The KJV’s translation of this text is somewhat different. It reads, “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” The phrase “above all things” (Grk. “pas”) is better translated “in all respects.” The Apostle John would never place physical health and prosperity (which is the context here) ABOVE all things. The NKJV is therefore more accurate in translating it as “in all things.”
The Apostle John prays for Gaius in this text “that you may prosper…” This may be taken as God’s will for every believer (as most prayers in the Epistles can). The Greek literally reads, “That your journey/way may be good/prosperous.” John is using a well-known Jewish idiom of his day here. The Jews (especially by the Second Temple era) used the word “journey” for the walk of life; natural affairs, physical experiences (an idiomatic expression).
When someone experienced fortune in life (e.g. favorable circumstances, successful outcomes, material prosperity), it was said of him that “the Lord caused his journey to prosper” (see Gen 24:21, 40, 42, 56, Josh 1:8). That is, God orchestrated and aligned events to happen at the right place and time, for his good.
So, John is literally saying, “I pray that in ALL aspects of your NATURAL life, you experience good fortune.” This would definitely include material prosperity, even though it is not limited to it.
John continues “…and be in heath.” Some opine that “to be in health” here refers to the health of his soul (i.e. a heart full of sound doctrine). This is a forced reading of the text. Note, to be “in health” (Grk. “hugiainó”) was used for sound doctrine ONLY in the Pastoral Epistles (1 & 2 Timothy, Titus), which were written by the Apostle Paul (see 1 Tim 1:10, 6:3, 2 Tim 1:13, 4:3, Tit 1:9, 13, 2:1, 2, cf. 1 Tim 4:6, Tit 2:8), and NOWHERE else. Everywhere else “hugiainó” (ὑγιαίνω) occurs in the New Testament texts, it refers to bodily wellbeing (see Lk 5:31, 7:10, 15:27). When Paul used that word, he refers to doctrine that is spiritually “healthy” and not corrupting; teaching that produces spiritual health in believers. This was PAUL’S own unique metaphorical spin on the word, in the context of the Pastoral Epistles.
Obviously, Paul and John used the word differently, in different contexts. John’s context is PHYSICAL health (which is the only natural conclusion following “…that you may prosper). Therefore, it would be an illegitimate totality transfer fallacy to give the word (“hugiainó”) the same meaning in 3 John 2 as in the Pastoral Epistles. The same word can have different meanings, depending on the exact context of usage. This is basic Biblical hermeneutics.
Having prayed for his physical well-being, John then turns to his spiritual life, “…just as your soul prospers.” The soul (Grk. “psuché”) here refers to the mind; the seat of thoughts and emotions. Spiritual growth actually occurs in the mind, as it is renewed by the Word (see Rom 12:2, Eph 4:23, Col 3:10, cf. Pss 119:11, Philip 4:8, 1 Pt 2:2). Therefore, John is praying that Gaius’ spiritual life advances (in the knowledge of the truth) the same way his natural life advances (in material things). Both are important to God.
Essentially, John is praying for Gaius that he prospers in all facets of his life, both spiritually (“even as your soul prospers”) and NATURALLY (material prosperity and health). Some argue that John could not have been referring to material prosperity and health here, since we now know historically that Gaius (the recipient of the letter) was substantially well off. It is a rather humorous presumption that wealthy and healthy people do not need prayers for MORE prosperity and health. It is akin to saying praying for a safe trip is not necessary, since you have had safe trips in the past. Such thinking is ludicrous.
In fact, the Greek bears out John’s prayer well. The verbs “prosper” (euodoó) and “be in good health” (hugiainó) appear morphologically in the present active infinitive tense. The Greek is literally saying, “That you CONTINUALLY be made to prosper and be in good health.”
John is praying that nothing steals Gaius’ physical wellbeing; that he continues to dwell in that good state which he was, and even more blessings be granted him. By this prayer, he acknowledges two things:
1) The prosperity and health Gaius had came from God.
2) He prays for a continuous supply of same.
Conclusively, John 3:2 is a compound prayer, which asks for both the continuous PHYSICAL/MATERIAL and SPIRITUAL well-being of Gaius. It is GOOD authority to pray to God for financial breakthroughs and physical health, both for ourselves and for our loved ones.
© Josh Banks Ministries. 2026.
