3 John
General Letters · New Testament · Book 64 of 66- Author
- John, writing as the elder
- Written
- c. AD 85–90
- Time covered
- A note about three men and one congregation
- Where
- Ephesus
- Written to
- Gaius, a believer known for hospitality
- Genre
- Personal letter
- Chapters
- 1
“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.”3 John 1:4 KJV
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Overview
Three men in fourteen verses. Gaius takes in traveling preachers and is commended. Diotrephes loves to have the preeminence, refuses to receive them, talks against John and throws out those who disagree. Demetrius has a good report from everyone.
It is the plainest picture in the New Testament of a church problem caused by one man’s ambition — and of how ordinary faithfulness, shown in a spare room and a meal, holds the work together.
Background
Where the second letter says do not receive false teachers, this one says do receive the true ones. The two are halves of the same instruction.
Preachers went out taking nothing from the Gentiles, which made them dependent on believers along the way. Diotrephes was closing that door.
Key themes
- Walking in truth is the joy of anyone who has taught others.
- Hospitality makes ordinary believers fellowhelpers to the truth.
- Pride in leadership does real damage to real people.
- Follow what is good, not what is prominent.
- A good report from those who know you is worth having.
Outline
- Gaius commendedVerses 1-8
Prospering in soul, walking in truth, and receiving the brethren.
- Diotrephes rebukedVerses 9-11
He loves to be first, refuses the brethren, and casts others out.
- Demetrius, and farewellVerses 12-14
A good report of all men, and again a hope to speak face to face.
Key passages
- 3 John 1:2 I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health.
- 3 John 1:4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
- 3 John 1:8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.
- 3 John 1:9 Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence.
- 3 John 1:11 Follow not that which is evil, but that which is good.
Christ in 3 John
The traveling preachers went out for his name’s sake, taking nothing from the Gentiles. Receiving them was receiving Him — the principle Jesus stated plainly: he that receiveth you receiveth me.
Reading it
- Read it beside 2 John; together they say whom to welcome and whom not to.
- Note that John names names, both good and bad.
- Ask which of the three men your own church would most easily produce.