OET interlinear 3YHN (3JHN) 1:10

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-logic-result

διὰ τοῦτο

because_of this

Because of this indicates that what follows is a result of what came before. Because Diotrephes “does not receive” John and those with him (verse 9), John will expose his evil works. Use a natural way in your language that makes this relationship clear. Alternate translation: [Therefore] or [This is why]

Note 2 topic: grammar-connect-condition-fact

ἐὰν ἔλθω

if ˱I˲_/may/_come

John speaks as if he were uncertain about this, but he means that he is planning to come. If your readers might think that what John is saying is uncertain, then you could translate his words as a confident statement. Alternate translation: [when I come] or [at the time that I come]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / go

ἔλθω

˱I˲_/may/_come

In a context such as this, your language might say “go” instead of come. Alternate translation: [I go to you]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

λόγοις πονηροῖς φλυαρῶν ἡμᾶς

˱with˲_words evil rambling_against us

John is using the term words to mean what Diotrephes has been saying by using words. These words are an example of the works that he is doing. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [slandering us maliciously]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

μὴ ἀρκούμενος ἐπὶ τούτοις

not /being/_sufficed with these_‹things›

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: [even these things do not satisfy him. In addition]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς

the brothers

John is using the term brothers to mean people who share the same faith. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [these fellow believers]

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / ellipsis

καὶ τοὺς βουλομένους κωλύει

and but the_‹ones› wishing ˱he˲_/is/_forbidding

John is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: [and he stops the ones who are willing to receive the believers]