I. The Prosperity of the Soul: Our Foundational Faith and Spiritual Basis
“Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.” (3 John 1:2)
The phrase “I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers” is both a core prayer topic for our life of faith and an important reminder, especially at the threshold of a new year, prompting us to reflect on ourselves. The Apostle John uses the expression “I pray,” which directly refers to prayer. In this prayer, John lifts up two requests to God: first, that “your soul may prosper,” and second, that you may “prosper in all respects and be in good health.” These two are not separate; they are deeply interconnected. The phrase “just as your soul prospers” makes it clear: only when one’s soul is in a healthy state does true prosperity and strength permeate into all other areas of life.
When we examine the anthropology of the Apostle Paul, we see that humans are not merely composed of flesh, but rather exist as a dual being of “outer person” and “inner person.” In 2 Corinthians 4:16, Paul states: “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.” Here, the outer person refers to our physical and material aspects, while the inner person points to the spiritual and internal aspects. Pastor David Jang often cites this text as well, emphasizing that in our life of faith, what matters most is building up the “inner person.” Though our physical bodies weaken and age over time, our inner self—our soul—can be renewed every day by the grace of God.
Paul goes on to propose the “tent theory” in 2 Corinthians 5:1–4. In this passage, the earthly tent symbolizes our physical body, which inevitably collapses—death. Yet Paul does not see death simply as “the end of everything” but likens it to a process of taking off old clothing to put on new. He says that “if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven.” In other words, death is not merely returning to nothingness but a process through which we remove the worn-out garment and “put on something new.” Thus, Paul clearly asserts that humans possess an inner person (the soul), which is our true identity and has eternal value. In this vein, Pastor David Jang has repeatedly stated that “true faith begins by resolving the fundamental problem of the soul, and the soul’s longing for truth is the very core that distinguishes humans from animals.”
In today’s text, 3 John 1:2, the Apostle John conveys a message in the same spirit: “Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.” Here, once again, we see that the soul is the most crucial foundation. When conflicts arise in the family or in relationships, simply dealing with physical, material, or financial problems does not solve everything at the root. The fundamental solution always starts with the “problem of the soul.” Since the human soul is eternal, if it wavers or is diseased, even if external issues are solved, true peace and stability cannot settle into life. Therefore, as we begin a new year and continue throughout our entire lives, the first area we must examine is the question, “Is my soul genuinely healthy? Is my relationship with God correct?”
The Bible consistently underscores this matter of the soul, not only through Paul and John but also through various psalmists in the Old Testament. For instance, Psalm 42:1 says, “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God.” This shows our soul’s inherent longing for truth and desire for God—a yearning that material satisfaction alone cannot quench. Pastor David Jang has often emphasized, “Because human beings are spiritual in nature, the soul’s thirst can only be satisfied in God. The pleasures and wealth of this world may momentarily gratify us, but the deep fulfillment of the soul can only be completed in the love and presence of God.”
It was to the Corinthian believers that the Apostle Paul spoke about these issues, largely because Corinth was a city steeped in pleasure and materialism in its day. People there pursued physical gratification, lived for immediate benefit, and embraced a mindset of “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” But Paul warned that such a lifestyle ultimately harms human beings, causing them to lose their true purpose and calling. At its core, this is a spiritual problem: if the inner person is not awakened, no matter how wealthy or healthy the outer person may appear, one’s life will inevitably crumble.
Romans 5:10 also helps us understand: “For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.” Paul declares that when we were sinners—when we were enemies of God—Jesus Christ became the atoning sacrifice. In Romans 1:18 and following, Paul explains that if humans ignore the truth and indulge in their lustful desires, they inevitably face the wrath of God. Materialists might claim, “All we have is the physical body; what we see is everything; and death is the end.” However, Paul—and indeed the entire Bible—teaches, “Human beings are created in the image of God as spiritual beings, endowed with a yearning for truth, love, righteousness, and holiness. If this yearning is neglected, the result is profound emptiness within, as well as the judgment of God.”
In his expositions of Romans, Pastor David Jang has repeatedly declared, “Even when we were enemies of God, the cross of Jesus Christ opened the path to salvation. This is the grace of the gospel and the very foundation of Christian faith. But if we only understand it intellectually and confess it with our lips, yet never truly believe it in our hearts, then we have not yet experienced the reality of salvation.” Indeed, Romans 10:10 says, “For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.” When we receive the message of the cross in our hearts, recognize that we are sinners, and embrace the grace that reconciles us to God through Christ’s atoning sacrifice, our souls experience new birth. And once we taste this joy and wonder, we cannot help but share it with others, so we naturally engage in missions and evangelism.
Therefore, our lifetime priority must be this: “Is my soul truly prospering? Is my relationship with God in proper order?” Pastor David Jang often refers to this as the “first button of faith.” If you button the first button incorrectly, the rest will all be misaligned; likewise, if our relationship with God is not firmly established, our entire life becomes shaky. But when our relationship with God—our soul’s relationship—is set right, everything else in life begins to align. Thus, the Apostle John’s prayer, “I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers,” must also become our own.
Many of the problems we face in churches, families, or workplaces—relational strife, financial troubles, health issues, career dilemmas—stem fundamentally from a collapsed spiritual foundation. Secular people might dismiss such an analysis as “overly religious,” but Scripture clearly declares, “The most fundamental problem is the problem of the soul.” Only when our souls are alive and healthy in God’s Word—when our “inner person” is renewed daily—can our “outer person” stand firm. It is then that God’s order and peace emerge in our relationships and surroundings.
We must prioritize “prosperity of the soul” and “restoration of the soul.” Churches will formulate new plans for worship, missions, education, service, media ministries, and more. Whatever plan we establish, it must be grounded in this central question: “Is my soul truly healthy? Am I genuinely standing face to face before God?” This is the first key principle in today’s text from 3 John 1:2 and the foundational anthropology that Paul repeatedly upheld.
Many leaders envision expanding their church, constructing larger buildings or centers, and increasing the congregation. None of that is inherently wrong. Sometimes God’s vision includes physical expansion. But we must not forget that the bedrock of all such endeavors and ministries must be the growth of the soul, the maturity of our inner selves, and the deepening of our faith. Pastor David Jang often says, “Buildings can age, organizations can change, but the transformation of a single soul holds eternal value. The work of God’s Kingdom is ultimately completed in the relationships among souls renewed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ, who gather for worship and service.”
Even if we proclaim, “This year will bring good things; the church will grow; our finances will be plentiful,” if we neglect the problem of the soul, everything may collapse like a house built on sand. The prayer in 3 John 1:2—“that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers”—assumes that genuine health in every aspect depends on the soul being healthy. This is the first subtopic—“The Prosperity of the Soul: Our Foundational Faith and Spiritual Basis”—conveying the biblical and theological message that Pastor David Jang and numerous church leaders throughout history have persistently emphasized.
In this regard, it is important to note that having a healthy soul is not merely about outward religious zeal or frequent participation in church programs. One can attend church regularly yet still have a withering inner self. Conversely, some may not be able to attend many church activities due to circumstances, but internally they go deeper in the Word and prayer, drawing closer to God. What truly matters is whether our soul stands firmly upon truth and love, whether our devotion to God and our acts of love toward neighbors are flourishing. That is the real measure of a soul that is alive and “prospering.”
At any point in life, we need to pause and ask, “God, what is the condition of my soul right now? Am I weighed down by guilt, resentment, bitterness, hurt, or lethargy? Am I heeding Your voice and looking toward Your kingdom and glory?” Then we must seek the illumination of the Holy Spirit, repent where necessary, and experience the peace that comes from God’s grace and forgiveness. This is the first step to a soul that truly prospers.
II. A Life That Prospers in All Respects and Remains Strong
In 3 John 1:2, after grounding the prayer with “just as your soul prospers,” the Apostle John goes on to say, “I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health.” This shows the biblical principle that if the soul is healthy first, the benefits and well-being extend throughout our entire life. Through our life of faith, we learn that this principle is not merely a “kind wish” or “abstract hope,” but a reality that unfolds under the rule of God’s Kingdom.
However, we should not misunderstand “prosper in all respects” as automatically guaranteeing worldly success and material abundance, as taught by certain prosperity gospels. Scripture invites us to a much deeper understanding of “prospering in all respects.” True prosperity occurs when our soul is aligned with God, and God, who knows our needs, fulfills them while accompanying us through life, allowing His “peace, order, and blessing” to rest upon us. This does not mean that having more or less money, or attaining higher status, determines prosperity. Genuine prosperity and success come from “seeking first His kingdom and His righteousness” (Matthew 6:33). Consequently, the Apostle Paul could declare, “I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity… I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need” (Philippians 4:12). Such a testimony reveals that true prosperity—“in all respects”—is grounded in obeying God’s will, and finding gratitude and joy no matter the circumstances.
Pastor David Jang often emphasizes in his sermons, “For those who walk with God, regardless of their situation, they discover God’s good will and rejoice in the Lord; sometimes they see God’s intervention most clearly in the midst of difficulty. This is the essence of a life that truly prospers in all respects.” In the reality of our life’s journey, we often encounter trials or sufferings. From a worldly perspective, we may think this means we are going the wrong way, but from a spiritual viewpoint, it can be the season when our soul becomes purer and more mature. Thus, “prospering in all respects and remaining strong” does not merely indicate an outward “measure of success”; rather, it signifies having the soul firmly rooted in God so that no storm or trial can overthrow us, and we can discern God’s hand in every circumstance.
Indeed, the notion of “remaining strong” suggests not only physical health but also the sturdiness of our inner being. In Scripture, true strength is more than merely avoiding sickness; it is a boldness and steadfastness in faith that stand firm against worldly temptations and the devil’s attacks. For example, if we look at the lives of Elijah, Daniel, or the Apostle Paul, they certainly did not live easy, trouble-free lives. They endured countless persecutions, dangers, and sufferings. Yet, because their souls were bound to God, they could fulfill their calling to the very end and triumph in their mission. Though outwardly their path was far from smooth, their souls were strong, enabling them to experience what it means to prosper in all respects in the spiritual sense. This is the biblical understanding of genuine prosperity and true strength.
When Paul exclaims in 1 Corinthians 9:16, “Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel!” it demonstrates how much the act of preaching the Gospel meant for saving souls, and it was as vital as life itself to Paul. Those who have genuinely experienced the prosperity of their souls, who have tasted the grace and power of the cross, cannot help but share that awe and gratitude with others, instinctively devoting themselves to evangelism. Thus, in the New Testament, whenever people experienced the power of the Gospel, they immediately began proclaiming it, planting churches, caring for other souls, and leading them to Christ.
The core of all evangelistic methods is “the salvation of souls.” Pastor David Jang frequently underscores, “We must devote ourselves wholeheartedly to saving souls, leaving everything else behind.” Evangelism is the ultimate reason for the church’s existence and for our very breath and life on this earth. Jesus proclaimed, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10). Just before His ascension, He commanded, “Go into all the world and proclaim the Gospel to the whole creation” (Mark 16:15).
If our souls are truly alive in God, if we are daily revived by this grace of salvation, we cannot ignore this mission. Even without special programs or preparations, those ignited by the Gospel will proclaim “the grace of the Lord I’ve experienced, the blessing of salvation I’ve realized.” Billy Graham once said, “The more Scripture, the better the sermon.” In other words, the Gospel is not about our own logic or rhetoric but about the authority and power of Scripture itself. Therefore, anyone can read the Bible diligently, come to understand the Word, and share or preach it through testimonies and discussions. Within the church, as we continuously read and study Scripture together—encouraging and comforting one another—many souls are revived, and they grow in awareness of God’s will.
We might also recall the “Parable of the Wheat and the Tares” (Matthew 13). Through this parable, Jesus warns that, at the time of the final judgment, the distinction between the wheat (those saved to enter the Kingdom of God) and the tares (those subject to judgment) will become clear. They may appear together in the church for now, but at the time of harvest, the difference will be revealed unmistakably. Pastor David Jang applies this passage by stressing, “The most crucial element in evangelism is whether the soul receives the Word of God and is saved, or rejects it. On this fork in the road between life and death, the responsibility to proclaim the Gospel belongs to us who share it, and those who hear it bear the responsibility to respond.” We preach zealously to find those who will become “wheat,” and they must accept God’s Word to save their souls.
When church communities encourage one another—“Let’s step up evangelism! People will come! Many souls will meet God and come to church!”—they are aligning with the fundamental mission of faith. This should never be a mere “goal of enlarging our church” but a commitment to “leading lost souls to salvation,” reflecting God’s own heart and commission. Only then will God gladly work with us and accomplish His purposes. While church growth may be among the outcomes, the essence is not the size of the congregation but the “life of saved souls.”
Even as we devote ourselves to evangelism, we must continually ask, “Is my soul being renewed day by day?” As mentioned earlier, when the soul prospers, we experience the grace of also prospering in all respects. If the soul is sick, no matter how energetically we bustle about with worldly matters, we will eventually encounter emptiness and frustration. Even if we work hard in church ministries, we may end up with no joy, and conflicts may deepen among people. However, if our souls are alive, filled with the Word, and led by the Holy Spirit, even in adversity we bear the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23), and we witness remarkable blessings in our relationships. That is the tangible realization of “prospering in all respects and remaining strong.”
What is demanded of us is consistently fastening this “first button” correctly. We must place our relationship with God at the highest priority and put every effort into the health of our souls. Only within that correct relationship can we receive God’s vision and mission to move into the world, proclaim the Gospel, serve with love, and build up His church. Christians are meant to find peace in God with a soul alive and vibrant, and then be sent into the world as witnesses of the Gospel. This is Jesus’ Great Commission (Matthew 28:19–20) and His command to “go into all the world and preach the Gospel to all creation” (Mark 16:15).
Many churches and believers draft varied “grand mission plans” and dream of transformation. Certainly, securing the necessary resources—finances, personnel, locations, programs—is critical. Yet, at every step, we must constantly check whether our plans and transitions are rooted in the prosperity of the soul and are moving toward “the maturing of saved souls” and “leading unsaved souls to Christ.” Pastor David Jang has repeatedly stated, “The larger the scale of ministry, the more thoroughly we must watch over the essence of the soul, remain centered on the Word, and uphold a holy life.” The reason is that when a ministry grows bigger, there is a danger of becoming fixated on external growth while neglecting the essential tasks of saving souls and forming disciples.
Isaiah 43:19 declares, “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” This is a prophetic promise that God would open a new era and a new deliverance for the Israelites. Applied to a church or individual vision, this verse indicates that God can indeed perform a “new thing” in each of our lives. But the question is whether our souls are prepared to receive it, and whether we are ready to obey when God moves. If our souls are empty and devoid of the power of His Word, we cannot fully embrace the revival and grace God desires to pour out on us.
With the Apostle John’s prayer in our hearts, and in line with Pastor David Jang’s frequent insistence on the paramount importance of the soul, we must examine ourselves once more. “Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.” This is neither a casual greeting nor a mere courtesy; it is the most fundamental and tangible prayer for our souls and our lives. If our souls stand open before God—daily cleansed through repentance and the Word, filled with the Holy Spirit—then the result will be God’s good guidance and protection in our practical affairs, leading to prosperity and vitality. This is the starting point: no one can bypass this process. The message that “the problem of the soul” and “a right relationship with God” are paramount—repeatedly proclaimed by the Apostle John, Pastor David Jang, and countless other spiritual leaders—is the cornerstone for this year and for our entire lives.
In every church, various evangelistic events, mission outreaches, Bible study groups, and service programs will be held. We hope to see countless souls gather in churches, hear the Gospel, encounter God, and experience life-changing grace. Yet before all else, we must ensure that our own souls are truly in love with God, brimming with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and united by the Holy Spirit. Only then can we live a life that prospers in all respects and remains strong, bearing fruit in our ministries. When our souls are vibrant, and we are filled with Scripture, we can trust that the Lord Himself will walk alongside us, guiding our path. We can then offer daily thanks and praise as our natural response to His presence.
Think of the human body as an analogy: if the “spine” representing our soul is properly aligned, the whole body can stand upright. If the spine is twisted or weak, the body suffers no matter how healthy the arms or legs appear. Likewise, only if the “spiritual spine”—the state of our soul—remains in proper alignment can the church and the individual life radiate joy and strength, advancing in the right direction. If we take this principle to heart at the beginning of 2022 (and beyond), each of us—and the church as a whole—will abundantly experience the blessing of “prospering in all respects and remaining strong, just as our souls prosper.”
Let us continually dwell on this message, presenting our souls to God, and abiding in close communion with Him. This is the core exhortation of the Apostle John’s prayer for us and echoes the admonition of countless pastors. If our souls are truly alive and filled with His Word, we will naturally enjoy a life where we prosper in all respects and remain strong. We hold fast to the belief that the Lord Himself walks with us and directs our way, offering Him daily gratitude and praise so that 2022—and every day thereafter—may be filled with His abundant grace.
“Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.”
—3 John 1:2