BE LOVED, S.V.B.E.E.V.

by Tammy Phillips
January 9, 2020

Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. (3 John 1:2 NKJV) 

I love this verse.  It shouts to me BE LOVED.  I hear, “I love you so much I want the best for you!”   When we look at the word prosper, our mind automatically thinks of wealth.  Prosper Is the Greek word, euodoō.  It means to grant a prosperous and expeditious journey; to do well on the road.  John’s blessing to his friend, Gaius, could be interpreted like this:   “be loved and  I hope you have a good journey on this road of life.”

John also added, “be in health.”  The word health does not just mean healthy in body.  It also signifies being, sound, being whole, body, mind and spirit.

Johns concluded with the phrase, “just as your soul prospers.”  Soul is the Greek word, psyche, meaning, the breath of life; the seat of feelings, desires, affections; mind.  Simply, the soul is our breath of life.  It is our mind, will and emotions.   We can conclude, if our mind, will and emotions are in good shape, then our body should follow.  If our soul is sick, stressing, or life has punched us and taken away our breath, it is most likely the body will follow or falter.

David Guzik said in his commentary at blueletterbible.org:

‘“Both verbs [for prosper and be in health] belonged to the everyday language of letter writing” (Stott). This phrase is so common that sometimes it was condensed into only initials, and everyone knew what the writer meant just from the initials.  The abbreviation used in Latin was SVBEEV, meaning “Si vales, bene est; ego valeo – “If you are well, it is good; I am well.”’

According to the words of John…

I enCOURAGE you to BE LOVED.  Have the greatest journey on the road of life.  Be whole, healed and complete in Him. Get your mind in shape and your body will follow.  SVBEEV,  Si vales, bene est; ego valeo – “If you are well, it is good; I am well.”  This is the  declaration for your life today.