3 John
Book Outhne
Key theme: Having a good witness in the church
Key verse:
I. Gaius, a Beloved Believer (vv. )
II. Diotrephes, a Proud Believer (vv. , )
III. Demetrius, an Exemplary Believer (vv. , )
IV. Conclusion (vv. , )
Book Overview
The battle for truth and against apostasy is fought not only in the home (2 John) but especially in the local church, and that is where 3 John comes in. This little letter (the shortest New Testament epistle in the original Greek) gives us a glimpse into an early assembly, its people, and its problems. As you read this brief letter, you find yourself saying, “Times have not changed very much!” We have similar people and problems today!
One of the key thoughts in this letter is the witness of believers (vv. , , ). The idea John had in mind is the importance not only of the words that we say but the lives that we live. Each Christian is a witness, either a good one or a bad one. We are either helping the truth (v. ) or hindering it.
This letter was addressed to Gaius, one of the leaders of the assembly. But John also discussed two other men in these verses—Diotrephes and Demetrius. Wherever we find people, we find problems—and the potential for solving problems. Each of us must honestly face the question, “Am I a part of the problem or a part of the answer?”
How important it is to live “according to the truth” (v. ) and hold to the truth in love ()! To claim to love the truth and yet hate brothers and sisters in Christ is to confess ignorance of what the Christian life is all about.
When God’s people love Him, the truth, and one another, then the Spirit of God can work in that assembly to glorify Jesus Christ. But when any member of that assembly, including the pastor, becomes proud and tries to put himself or herself first (“loves to have the preeminence among them,” see v. ), then the Spirit is grieved and He cannot bless. The church may outwardly appear successful, but inwardly it will lack the true unity of the Spirit that makes for a healthy fellowship.
“Be Transformed”
Even in this apostolic memo, we see clearly that Gaius was a man whose spiritual health was evident to all. Physical health is the result of nutrition, exercise, cleanliness, proper rest, and the disciplined order of a balanced life. Spiritual health is the result of similar factors. We must nourish ourselves with the Word, and then work out that nourishment in godly exercise (, ). We must keep ourselves clean () and avoid the contamination and pollution that is in the world (; ). While exercise and service are important, we should also rest in the Lord and gain new strength through fellowship with Him (). A spiritually balanced life is a healthy and happy life, a life that honors God.
The transformed life is a transparent life. It is not primarily a life lived in private, avoiding the challenges and messiness of interacting with people. Since the heart of spiritual living is loving our neighbor, the practice must involve other people who will eventually let us know if our efforts are genuine and show progress or whether we are fooling ourselves. John complimented Gaius as someone who was displaying maturity in the thick of things!
Greeting to Gaius
The Elder,
To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth:
Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.
3For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth.
4I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
Gaius Commended for Generosity
Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the brethren and for strangers,
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,
7because they went forth for His name’s sake, taking nothing from the Gentiles.
We therefore ought to receive such, that we may become fellow workers for the truth.
Diotrephes and Demetrius
I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us.
10Therefore, 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.
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.
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.
Farewell Greeting
I had many things to write, but I do not wish to write to you with pen and ink;
14but 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.
Annotations for 3 John
This letter is addressed to Gaius, one of the leaders of the assembly. Obviously the apostle John dearly loved this man! He called him “beloved” in his greeting and again in verse . Verse suggests that Gaius may have been one of John’s converts, and, of course, those we lead to faith in Christ are especially precious to us.
, John’s greeting may be hinting that his dear friend was not well and that John was praying for restored health. He basically wrote, “I’m praying that you are as healthy physically as you are spiritually!” If this is the case, then it is evidence that a person can be spiritually healthy and physically sick. This should be good news for saints who live with illness and ailments. However, the sentiment was also a common one in letters of the time, an expression of hopes for good health from one friend to another.
Gaius and John were also “fellow workers” in teaching the truth (v. ). In practical ways, he assisted those who were ministering the Word. We have no indication that Gaius himself was a preacher or teacher, but he had opened his heart and home to those who were. We have learned from John’s second letter the importance of Christian hospitality in that day. John warned “the elect lady” against entertaining false teachers (), but in this letter he commended Gaius for showing hospitality to the true ministers of the Word.
, Gaius not only opened his home, but he also opened his heart and his hand to give financial help to his guests. This could have included providing money and food as well as washing and mending clothing (see ; ).
This ministry of hospitality and support is not only an opportunity but also an obligation. makes it clear that those who receive spiritual blessings from the minister of the Word ought to share with him in material blessings; further explains this principle.
, Diotrephes was motivated by pride. Instead of giving the preeminence to Jesus Christ (), he claimed it for himself. He had the final say-so about everything in the church, and his decisions were determined by one thing: “What will this do for Diotrephes?”
Scripture makes it clear that we should have no fellowship with apostates (this is also an emphasis in 2 Peter) and that we must refrain from entangling alliances with unbelievers (.). We must also avoid those whose doctrinal position is contrary to Scripture (). This does not mean that we cooperate only with those believers who interpret Scripture exactly as we do because even good and godly people disagree on some matters such as church government or prophecy. All true Christians can agree on the fundamental doctrines of the faith and, in love, give latitude for disagreement on other matters.
Demetrius was a man worth imitating because he had a good report from the church fellowship who had “a good testimony” of him. All the members knew him, loved him, and thanked God for his consistent life and ministry. While having “all men speak well of you” () can be dangerous, having one’s life and testimony commended by all the believers in a local church is wonderful. If all people, saved and lost, good and evil, speak well of us, it may mean that we are compromising and masquerading.
, The aged apostle did not want to write a long letter; besides, he was planning a visit. Paul sometimes would end his letters with a list of personal greetings (see ), but John did not do this, at least in this letter. He wanted to have Gaius convey his greetings to his friends personally and individually, as though John were doing it himself. John was not concerned about a church only, but also the individuals within that church.
3 John 1
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