Introduction
Third John, with only 1 chapter, is another short letter written by the apostle John, to a man named Gaius.
It focuses on the themes of hospitality, truth, support for fellow believers, and a rebuke to a man name Diotrephes.
The chapter begins with a greeting from John, to Gaius.
He commends Gaius for his faithfulness, and his hospitality towards the brothers, that John had sent to him.
John then contrasts Gaius' positive example, with the bad behavior of Diotrephes.
Diotrephes, was a person who loved to have preeminence, which means to have the 1st place.
Diotrephes also rejected the authority of the apostles.
The chapter concludes with a commendation of Demetrius, and a reminder of John's desire to visit the believers in person.
Bible Study/Commentary:
Verses 1-4: Commendation to Gaius.
The chapter starts with a greeting from John, referring to himself as "the elder."
He addresses Gaius, commending him for his faithfulness for walking in the truth.
John expresses his joy in hearing about Gaius' commitment to the truth and his practice of showing hospitality to the men that John had sent.
He praises Gaius for his support of these workers for the sake of the name of Christ, affirming that they went out for His sake, and took nothing from the Gentiles.
Verses 5-8: John praises Gaius for his hospitality once again
Noting that he is showing love and support to fellow believers, who are strangers to him.
He highlights the importance of supporting those who are engaged in the work of spreading the Gospel.
John encourages Gaius to continue supporting these workers, so that they may be fellow laborers for the truth.
Verses 9-10: John's warning about Diotrephes
John addresses the negative example of a man named Diotrephes, who loved to have preeminence among the believers, and rejected the authority of the apostles.
He states his plan to confront Diotrephes personally, addressing his divisive and ungodly behavior.
John advises them not to receive or welcome such deceivers into their homes, for doing so would share in their sins.
He affirms that those who go beyond the teachings of Christ, do not have God.
John urges them to remain faithful, to what they have heard from the beginning, so that they may receive a full reward.
Verses 11-12: Commendation to Demetrius
John encourages Gaius to follow what is good, imitating those who do good, rather than imitating the negative example of Diotrephes.
He affirms that the one who does good, is of God, while the one who does evil, has not seen God.
John concludes by commending Demetrius, vouching for his good character, and urging Gaius to welcome him when he arrives.
Verses 13-14: John desires to visit them in person
He expresses the hope that they would have face-to-face fellowship.
He closes this letter with greetings from friends.
Overall Summary:
Third John focuses on the themes of hospitality, truth, and support for fellow believers.
The chapter commends Gaius for his faithfulness, hospitality, and the support of men that John had sent.
It contrasts Gaius' positive example, with the negative example of Diotrephes, who also rejected the authority of the apostles.
John encouraged Gaius to continue his support of those engaged in the work of spreading the Gospel.
He affirms the importance of imitating those who do good, and warns against divisive behavior.
John closes with a commendation of Demetrius and a reminder of his desire to visit them in person.
The overall message of 3rd John, is a call to show hospitality, support, and love to fellow believers, while rejecting divisive and ungodly behavior.
3 John
Greeting
1 The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth.
2 Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul. 3 For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified to your truth, as indeed you are walking in the truth. 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
Support and Opposition
5 Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are, 6 who testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God. 7 For they have gone out for the sake of the name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. 8 Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.
9 I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority. 10 So if I come, I will bring up what he is doing, talking wicked nonsense against us. And not content with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers, and also stops those who want to and puts them out of the church.
11 Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God. 12 Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself. We also add our testimony, and you know that our testimony is true.
Final Greetings
13 I had much to write to you, but I would rather not write with pen and ink. 14 I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face.
15 Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends, each by name.
Q&A
- a. Who was this letter from? 1:1
b. To whom was it written? 1:1
c. What was John's prayer? 1:2- 1 The Elder,
To the beloved Gaius,
whom I love in The Truth:
2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper
in all things
and be in health,
just as your soul prospers.
- 1 The Elder,
- a. What had John heard that made him rejoice greatly? 1:3
b. How was Gaius walking? 1:3
c. Who gave John no greater joy? 1:4
- 3 For I rejoiced greatly
when brethren came
and testified of the truth
that is in you,
just as you walk in the truth. - 4 I have no greater joy
than to hear that my children
walk in truth.
- 3 For I rejoiced greatly
- a. Who were they faithfully helping? 1:5
b. What had he heard about their love? 1:6
c. Why had these brothers gone out? 1:7
d. What had they taken from the Gentiles? 1:7
e. How are we to receive such men? 1:8
f. If we receive them, what will we become? 1:8
- 5 Beloved,
you do faithfully whatever you do
for the brethren and for strangers, - 6 who have borne witness
of your love before the church.
If you send them forward
on their journey
in a manner worthy of God,
you will do well, - 7 because they went forth
for His name’s sake,
taking nothing from the Gentiles. - 8 We therefore ought to receive such,
that we may become
fellow workers for the truth.
- 5 Beloved,
- a. Who had John written to? 1:9
b. Who had wanted to have first place (preeminence)? 1:9
c. Who had Diotrephes not received? 1:9
d. If John were to come, what would he call to mind? 1:10
f. What had Diotrephes done? 1:10
g. What kind of words had he spoken against John? 1:10
h. What had he forbidden others to do? 1:10
i. What did he do to those who received them? 1:10
- 9 I wrote to the church,
but Diotrephes,
who loves to have first place (the preeminence )
among them,
does not receive us. - 10 Therefore, if I come,
I will call to mind
his deeds which he does,
prating against us
with malicious words.
And not content with that,
he himself
does not receive the brethren,
and forbids those who wish to,
putting them out of the church.
- 9 I wrote to the church,
- a. What are we not to imitate? 1:11
b. What are we to imitate? 1:11
c. Who is of God? 1:11
d. Who has not seen God? 1:11
e. Who had Demetrius received from all of them? 1:12
f. What else gave him a good testimony? 1:12
- 11 Beloved,
do not imitate what is evil,
but what is good.
He who does good is of God,
but he who does evil
has not seen God.
12 Demetrius
has a good testimony from all,
and from the truth itself.
And we also bear witness,
and you know
that our testimony is true.
- 11 Beloved,
- a. How did John not want to communicate many other things? 1:13
b. Why did he hope to see them shortly? 1:14
c. How did John close this letter? 1:14
d. Who else sent greetings? 1:14
e. Who did John tell Gaius to greet? 1:14
- 13 I had many things to write,
but I do not wish to write to you
with pen and ink; - 14 but I hope to see you shortly,
and we shall speak face to face.
Peace to you.
Our friends greet you.
Greet the friends by name.
- 13 I had many things to write,