What Is “The Name” in 3 John 7?

Why This Question Matters

At first glance, John’s wording may seem unusual.

Why doesn’t he simply write,

“They went out for the sake of Jesus”?

Instead, he writes,

“They have gone out for the sake of the Name.”

To modern readers, that wording can feel vague.

To John’s original audience, however, it was rich with biblical meaning.

For centuries, Jewish believers had developed a deep reverence for God’s name.

By the first century, expressions such as the Name had become respectful ways of referring to God without unnecessarily repeating the divine name.

John takes that familiar language and applies it to Jesus Christ.

In doing so, he makes an astonishing theological statement.

This matters for several reasons.

First, it helps us understand one of the major themes running throughout John’s writings.

Second, it explains why the apostles repeatedly preached, healed, baptized, suffered, and prayed in Jesus’ name.

Third, it reminds us that Christian mission has never been about making ourselves known.

It has always been about making Christ known.

Finally, this topic raises questions that many Christians continue asking today.

• Does “the Name” refer to a particular pronunciation of Jesus’ name?
• Why did John not simply write “Jesus”?
• What does it mean to do something “in Jesus’ name”?
• Why were the apostles willing to suffer for His name?
• How does this relate to the Old Testament understanding of God’s name?

We’ll answer each of these questions as we follow the theme of “the Name” from Genesis to Revelation.

To understand why John could simply write “the Name,” we first need to understand what that expression meant within first-century Jewish culture.

That cultural background unlocks one of the New Testament’s most beautiful portraits of Jesus Christ.

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What Did “The Name” Mean to First-Century Jews?

To understand why John simply writes “the Name” in 3 John 7, we need to step into the world of first-century Judaism.

For John’s original readers, this phrase was neither mysterious nor unusual.

It carried centuries of biblical history and deep reverence for the God of Israel.

That background helps explain why John’s language is so significant.

More Than a Label

In modern Western culture, a name primarily identifies one person from another.

A name answers the question,

“Who are you?”

In the ancient Near East, however, a name often communicated much more.

It could represent a person’s:

• Character
• Authority
• Reputation
• Identity
• Mission
• Presence

This is why names throughout Scripture often carry theological significance.

Abram becomes Abraham.

Jacob becomes Israel.

Simon becomes Peter.

Each name reflects something about God’s purpose for that person’s life.

The same principle applies even more profoundly to God Himself.

A Deep Reverence for God’s Name

The Old Testament repeatedly teaches God’s people to honor His name.

The Third Commandment warns:

Because of commands like this, many Jewish people developed an increasing reverence for God’s covenant name, often represented in English Bibles as LORD (small capital letters).

By the centuries leading up to the New Testament, many Jews chose not to pronounce the divine name aloud during ordinary reading.

Instead, they used respectful expressions such as:

• “The Lord”
• “Heaven”
• “The Holy One”
• “The Name”

These expressions were not attempts to hide God’s identity.

Rather, they reflected a desire to honor Him with profound reverence.

Why This Matters for Reading 3 John

Once we understand this background, John’s wording becomes much more meaningful.

When he says faithful missionaries have gone out “for the sake of the Name,” he is not introducing a new expression.

He is using language that already carried deep theological significance.

His readers would immediately recognize that this phrase points to someone worthy of complete devotion, worship, and obedience.

The remarkable development is not the phrase itself.

The remarkable development is who John applies it to.

The honor that faithful Jews associated with God’s name is now inseparably connected with Jesus Christ.

That is an extraordinary Christological claim.

Not a Secret Name, but a Sacred Person

This background also helps prevent a common misunderstanding.

Some readers assume that “the Name” refers to discovering or pronouncing one particular Hebrew form of God’s or Jesus’ name.

That is not John’s emphasis.

His concern is not phonetics.

It is faithfulness.

The missionaries of 3 John were not traveling to teach people how to pronounce a sacred name correctly.

They were traveling to proclaim the One whom that name represents.

Their lives were devoted to making Christ known among the nations.

This becomes even clearer as we move back into the Old Testament.

Long before John wrote 3 John, Scripture had already revealed that God’s name represented far more than a collection of letters.

It revealed His very character, His saving power, His covenant faithfulness, and His glorious presence among His people.

Understanding that biblical foundation prepares us to see why the New Testament so naturally applies these truths to Jesus Christ.

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God’s Name in the Old Testament

John’s use of “the Name” in 3 John 7 did not appear out of nowhere.

It is rooted in one of the Bible’s richest theological themes—a theme that stretches back to the earliest pages of the Old Testament.

To understand why the apostles treasured the name of Jesus, we must first understand what God’s name represented throughout Israel’s history.

Rather than functioning merely as a title, God’s name reveals who He is.

God Revealed His Name to Moses

The first major turning point comes in Exodus 3.

As Moses encountered the burning bush, he asked what he should say if the Israelites wanted to know the name of the God who had sent him.

God answered:

God then revealed His covenant name, often represented in English Bibles as LORD (written in small capital letters).

This name communicates God’s eternal existence, His self-sufficiency, and His unchanging faithfulness.

Unlike the gods of the surrounding nations, Israel’s God depends upon no one.

He simply is.

From this point forward, God’s name became closely connected to His covenant relationship with His people.

God’s Name Represents His Character

Throughout the Old Testament, God’s name consistently reveals His character.

One of the clearest examples appears in Exodus 34.

After Israel’s sin with the golden calf, Moses asked to see God’s glory.

In response, God proclaimed His own name:

Notice what follows the declaration of God’s name.

God does not begin by describing His power.

He begins by revealing His character.

Compassion.

Mercy.

Patience.

Love.

Faithfulness.

When the Bible speaks about God’s name, it is speaking about the God whose character is perfectly holy, perfectly just, and perfectly loving.

God Chose Places Where His Name Would Dwell

Another important Old Testament theme is that God chose specific places where He would cause His name to dwell.

Throughout Deuteronomy, Israel is repeatedly instructed to worship at the place the LORD would choose “to place His name” (see Deuteronomy 12:5, 11, 21).

Later, that place became Jerusalem and the temple Solomon built.

Of course, the Old Testament never teaches that God Himself was confined to the temple.

Rather, His name dwelling there signified His covenant presence among His people.

The temple became the visible reminder that the God of heaven had graciously chosen to dwell in the midst of Israel.

God’s People Were to Honor His Name

Because God’s name represented His character and authority, Israel was commanded to treat it with reverence.

The Third Commandment warned against taking God’s name in vain (Exodus 20:7).

The Psalms repeatedly call God’s people to praise His name.

The prophets rebuke Israel for profaning His holy name among the nations.

Again and again, God’s concern is not merely that His people pronounce His name correctly.

His concern is that they represent Him faithfully.

Their worship, obedience, justice, and holiness either honored His name or dishonored it before the watching world.

The Old Testament Anticipates Something Greater

As the Old Testament unfolds, another expectation begins to emerge.

The prophets look forward to the day when God’s name will be known and worshiped among all nations.

Isaiah speaks of the coming Servant who will bring salvation to the ends of the earth.

Malachi declares that God’s name will be honored among every nation (Malachi 1:11).

The Psalms repeatedly call all peoples to praise the name of the LORD.

The story is moving toward a day when God’s glory will no longer be known only within Israel but throughout the whole world.

That expectation prepares us for one of the New Testament’s most remarkable developments.

The honor, authority, worship, and mission associated with God’s name are now centered on Jesus Christ.

This is why the apostles preached in Jesus’ name…

Healed in Jesus’ name…

Baptized in Jesus’ name…

Prayed in Jesus’ name…

And willingly suffered for Jesus’ name.

To understand 3 John 7 fully, we must now see how the New Testament takes this rich Old Testament theology and applies it directly to Jesus Christ.

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How Does the New Testament Apply “The Name” to Jesus?

Everything we have seen in the Old Testament prepares us for one of the New Testament’s most remarkable theological developments.

The honor, authority, and reverence associated with God’s name are now repeatedly connected to Jesus Christ.

This does not diminish the glory of God.

Rather, it reveals that Jesus is the full and perfect revelation of the Father.

That is why the apostles spoke so often about His name.

Jesus Revealed the Father’s Name

One of the clearest examples appears in Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer.

Praying to the Father, Jesus said:

Later in the same prayer He adds:

Jesus is not saying that His disciples previously did not know what God was called.

The Jews had known God’s covenant name for centuries.

Rather, Jesus revealed the Father’s name by revealing the Father’s character.

Everything the Father is…

His holiness.

His truth.

His love.

His mercy.

His justice.

His faithfulness.

Jesus perfectly displayed through His own life and ministry.

The Name Above Every Name

Paul develops this same truth in Philippians 2.

After describing Christ’s humility, death, and resurrection, Paul writes:

Some readers wonder what Paul means by “the name above all names.”

Is he saying that the sound of the name “Jesus” is somehow greater than every other word?

The context points to something much richer.

God publicly exalted His Son and bestowed upon Him the highest place of honor and authority.

The result is universal worship.

Every knee bows.

Every tongue confesses.

Jesus Christ is Lord.

Paul is echoing Isaiah 45:23, where every knee bows before the LORD Himself.

By applying that passage to Jesus, Paul makes an astonishing declaration about Christ’s divine identity.

Everything Centers on Jesus

Because Jesus perfectly reveals the Father, the New Testament repeatedly connects every aspect of Christian life and ministry to Him.

Believers gather in His name (Matthew 18:20).

They pray in His name (John 14:13–14).

They receive forgiveness through His name (Acts 10:43).

They are baptized in His name (Acts 2:38).

They are justified in His name (1 Corinthians 6:11).

They give thanks in His name (Ephesians 5:20).

They do everything in His name.

Notice the pattern.

The New Testament does not treat Jesus’ name like a magical formula.

Instead, His name represents His authority, His lordship, and His saving work.

To act “in Jesus’ name” means acting under His authority, in submission to His will, and for His glory.

Why This Matters for 3 John

Now John’s words in 3 John 7 begin to shine with even greater significance.

The missionaries John commends had gone out “for the sake of the Name.”

They were not promoting themselves.

They were not seeking personal recognition.

Their lives were devoted to making Jesus Christ known among people who had never heard the gospel.

Everything they did pointed beyond themselves to their Lord.

That same purpose continues today.

Every faithful church…

Every faithful missionary…

Every faithful pastor…

Every faithful believer…

Lives not for the advancement of their own name, but for the glory of the One whose name is above every name.

This emphasis becomes especially clear in the book of Acts, where the apostles repeatedly preach, heal, suffer, rejoice, and boldly proclaim the gospel in the name of Jesus.

There, “the Name” becomes one of the defining themes of the early church’s mission.

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The Name Throughout the Book of Acts

If the Gospel of John reveals who Jesus is, the book of Acts shows what happened after His resurrection and ascension.

Again and again, Luke records the apostles preaching, healing, praying, suffering, and rejoicing in the name of Jesus.

In fact, the expression “the Name” becomes one of the defining themes of the early church.

This helps us understand why John’s language in 3 John 7 would have sounded so familiar.

The missionaries John commends were continuing the same mission the apostles had begun decades earlier.

Salvation Is Found in Jesus Alone

One of the clearest examples appears after Peter and John healed a man who had been unable to walk.

When questioned by the Jewish leaders, Peter boldly declared that the miracle had occurred through the authority of Jesus Christ.

He then proclaimed:

Peter’s point is not that one particular pronunciation possesses saving power.

Rather, salvation is found in one Person alone—Jesus Christ.

His name represents His identity as the crucified and risen Lord, the only Savior God has provided.

Faith is not placed in a sequence of sounds.

Faith is placed in the living Christ whom the name represents.

If you would like to explore this question further, see our related Testing Claims article:

Miracles Were Performed in His Name

Throughout Acts, the apostles consistently attribute miraculous works to Jesus rather than to themselves.

When Peter healed the man at the Beautiful Gate, he declared:

The miracle did not occur because Peter possessed extraordinary power.

It occurred because the risen Christ continued working through His apostles.

Peter later made this point explicit:

The man stood healed because of faith in the name of Jesus (Acts 3:16).

The focus remained entirely upon Christ.

The Apostles Rejoiced in Suffering for the Name

Perhaps the most striking use of “the Name” appears in Acts 5.

After being arrested, beaten, and commanded to stop preaching about Jesus, the apostles left the council with an unexpected response.

Notice what brought them joy.

They were not celebrating pain.

They were rejoicing because they had been counted worthy to endure suffering for Christ.

Their greatest concern was not personal comfort.

It was Christ’s honor.

If suffering resulted in Jesus being known more widely, they considered it a privilege.

Everything Was Done in His Name

As Acts continues, the pattern becomes unmistakable.

People believed in His name.

They were baptized in His name.

They preached in His name.

Churches were planted in His name.

Opposition arose because of His name.

Missionaries traveled because of His name.

The name of Jesus became the banner under which the entire mission of the church advanced.

This is exactly the world reflected in 3 John.

John’s missionaries were simply continuing the apostolic mission recorded in Acts.

They had gone out—not for financial gain, personal recognition, or organizational success—but for the sake of the Name.

The Church Still Lives for the Name Today

The church’s mission has never fundamentally changed.

Faithful churches still gather in Jesus’ name.

Missionaries still go in His name.

Believers still pray in His name.

Pastors still preach in His name.

Christians still suffer because of His name in many parts of the world.

The methods may vary across cultures and generations, but the purpose remains unchanged.

Everything the church does should ultimately point people to Jesus Christ.

That truth brings us back to the heart of 3 John.

Why did these missionaries leave their homes, endure hardship, and depend upon the hospitality of fellow believers?

John answers with one simple phrase:

They went out for the sake of the Name.

Understanding that purpose helps us see that Christian mission has always been centered on the reputation, glory, and honor of Jesus Christ Himself.

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Going Out for the Sake of the Name

Everything we have explored now brings us back to the heart of 3 John 7.

John writes that these faithful believers:

Other English translations more literally read,

“They have gone out for the sake of the Name.”

That single phrase beautifully summarizes the purpose of Christian mission.

John does not describe where these missionaries traveled.

He does not tell us how many churches they planted.

He does not mention how many people came to faith.

Instead, he tells us why they went.

Mission Begins with Christ’s Worthiness

It is easy to think of missions primarily in terms of human need.

People need to hear the gospel.

Communities need churches.

Nations need missionaries.

All of those statements are true.

Yet 3 John reminds us that the deepest motivation for Christian mission is not merely human need.

It is Christ’s worthiness.

The missionaries John commends were captivated by the greatness of Jesus.

They believed He deserved to be worshiped by every tribe, language, people, and nation.

Their mission flowed out of their worship.

Long before modern mission organizations existed, the early church understood that proclaiming Christ was ultimately about exalting His glory.

Not Our Reputation, but His

One of the striking features of 3 John is that the missionaries themselves remain anonymous.

John does not tell us their names.

He tells us whose name mattered.

Their goal was never personal recognition.

They did not travel to build their own platform.

They were not seeking influence for its own sake.

Their lives pointed away from themselves and toward Jesus Christ.

This reflects the attitude of John the Baptist, who declared:

That same attitude should characterize every Christian ministry.

Churches are not called to make their own names famous.

Pastors are not called to make their own names famous.

Mission organizations are not called to make their own names famous.

Every faithful ministry exists to magnify Jesus Christ.

Partners for the Sake of the Name

John’s emphasis also explains why he urges Gaius to continue supporting these traveling believers.

Immediately after saying they went out for the sake of the Name, John writes:

This is one of the most encouraging truths in the letter.

Not everyone is called to travel across the world.

Not everyone is called to preach publicly.

Not everyone is called to plant churches.

Yet every believer can participate in Christ’s mission.

By praying…

By giving…

By showing hospitality…

By encouraging gospel workers…

Believers become “fellow workers for the truth.”

John sees no sharp distinction between those who go and those who faithfully send.

Both participate in advancing the gospel.

The Mission Has Never Changed

Nearly two thousand years have passed since John wrote 3 John.

The methods of ministry have changed dramatically.

The message has not.

Churches still gather because of the Name.

Missionaries still cross cultures because of the Name.

Pastors still preach because of the Name.

Believers still pray because of the Name.

Many Christians around the world still suffer because of the Name.

And one day, every nation will gather around the throne because of the Name.

The vision John glimpsed in 3 John finds its ultimate fulfillment in Revelation, where people from every tribe, language, people, and nation worship the Lamb forever (Revelation 5:9–13; 7:9–12).

What Does This Mean for Us?

John’s words invite every believer to ask an important question:

Whose name am I ultimately living to make known?

Our culture encourages us to build personal brands.

To gain followers.

To increase our influence.

To make a name for ourselves.

The gospel calls us to something very different.

Followers of Jesus gladly spend their lives making much of someone else.

Whether we preach to thousands…

Teach a small Bible study…

Welcome missionaries into our home…

Serve quietly behind the scenes…

Or faithfully raise our families…

Everything we do ultimately exists for one purpose:

That is what John means when he says these faithful believers went out “for the sake of the Name.”

Understanding that purpose prepares us for the greatest truth of all.

The reason Jesus’ name deserves such honor is because of who He is and what He has accomplished through the gospel.

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The Gospel Connection

The phrase “for the sake of the Name” ultimately points us beyond missionaries, hospitality, and even the ministry of the early church.

It points us to Jesus Christ Himself.

Throughout Scripture, God’s saving plan has always centered on the glory of His name.

The Father sent the Son to reveal His character.

The Son lived in perfect obedience to the Father.

The Spirit glorifies the Son by opening blind eyes to the truth of the gospel.

From beginning to end, redemption exists to magnify the glory of God.

Jesus Bears the Father’s Name

Everything the Old Testament anticipated finds its fulfillment in Jesus.

The God who revealed His name to Moses…

Who caused His name to dwell among Israel…

Who promised that His name would be honored among the nations…

Has now revealed Himself fully through His Son.

Jesus did not merely speak about God.

He perfectly revealed Him.

As the writer of Hebrews explains, the Son is “the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being” (Hebrews 1:3).

To know Jesus is to know the Father.

To honor Jesus is to honor the Father.

To reject Jesus is to reject the Father who sent Him.

The Cross Vindicated the Name of Jesus

At first glance, the cross appeared to be a place of shame.

Jesus was mocked.

Rejected.

Crucified as a criminal.

Many believed His name had been disgraced forever.

Yet the resurrection completely reversed that verdict.

God publicly declared that Jesus truly is His Son, the promised Messiah, and the risen Lord.

The One whose name was mocked is now the One before whom every knee will bow.

The One rejected by the world is now exalted above every ruler, authority, and power.

The cross was not the defeat of Jesus’ name.

It became the pathway to His exaltation.

One Day Every Knee Will Bow

Philippians 2 points beyond Christ’s resurrection to His universal reign.

Paul writes that a day is coming when:

Some will gladly confess Him as Savior.

Others will acknowledge Him as Judge.

But every person who has ever lived will one day recognize His supreme authority.

That future reality explains why the church proclaims Christ today.

We joyfully invite people to bow before Him now through repentance and faith rather than waiting until His return.

Living for the Sake of the Name

John’s words in 3 John challenge every generation of believers.

The missionaries he commended understood that life was never ultimately about themselves.

Their ambition was not to leave behind famous names, successful careers, or impressive accomplishments.

Their ambition was that Jesus Christ would be known.

That same calling belongs to every Christian.

Whether we preach…

Teach…

Serve…

Give…

Welcome guests…

Raise children…

Or quietly love our neighbors…

Everything we do can become an act of worship offered for the sake of His name.

The Invitation of the Gospel

Perhaps you have spent much of your life building your own reputation.

The gospel offers something far greater.

Jesus Christ lived the perfect life we could never live.

He died on the cross for our sins.

He rose again on the third day, defeating sin and death.

Now He invites everyone to turn from sin and trust in Him alone for salvation.

The good news of the gospel is not simply that Jesus has a great name.

It is that everyone who calls on His name in faith will be saved (Romans 10:13).

The One for whose sake the missionaries traveled…

The One for whose name the apostles suffered…

The One whose name is above every name…

Still graciously welcomes sinners today.

That is why John could simply write, “for the sake of the Name.”

His first readers knew exactly whom he meant.

May we know Him, love Him, and gladly spend our lives making His name known until He returns.

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