Outline
B. For His Devotion to the Truth (1:3-4)
C. For His Hospitality to Godly Messengers (1:5-8)
A. Concerning the Bad Example of Diotrephes (1:9-11)
B. Concerning the Good Example of Demetrius (1:12)
Theme: Devotion to God’s Truth and Hospitality to His Messengers
John, one of the original apostles (i.e., those personally authorized and empowered by Christ to deliver his original message and help establish the NT church), again identifies himself by the title of “the elder” (v. 1; see the introduction to 2 John). This personal letter is addressed to a loyal follower of Christ named Gaius (v. 1), who was likely a member of one of the church communities in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). As with John’s other letters, 3 John was most likely written from Ephesus in the late 80s or early 90s of the first century. (For further background on John, see introductions to John’s Gospel and 1 John.)
Toward the end of the first century, itinerant ministers (i.e., ones who traveled from city to
city) were commonly supported by believers who welcomed them into their homes and helped them on their way with material and financial support (vv. 5-8; cf. 2Jn 1:10). Gaius was one of many faithful Christians who graciously hosted and supported trustworthy traveling ministers (vv. 1-8). However, a leader named Diotrephes arrogantly resisted John’s authority and refused to receive messengers whom John had sent.
John wrote to (1) commend Gaius for his gracious hospitality (i.e., welcome, friendliness, kindness, generosity) and faithful support of trustworthy traveling ministers, (2) indirectly warn the rebellious and prideful leader, Diotrephes, and (3) prepare the way for his own personal visit.
Three men are mentioned by name in 3 John. (1) Gaius is warmly commended for his faithfulness to God and devotion to the truth (vv. 3-4) and his exemplary hospitality to godly messengers (vv. 5-8). (2) Diotrephes, an arrogant and selfish leader, is denounced for his pride (“loves to be first,” v. 9). He had rejected a previous letter from John (v. 9), personally slandered John and refused to receive John’s messengers. He even threatened to excommunicate (i.e., expel from the church) those who welcomed and accommodated the messengers (v. 10). (3) Demetrius, perhaps the one who delivered this letter or a pastor in a nearby community, is commended as a man of good reputation and of loyalty to the truth (v. 12).
Two major features characterize this letter. (1) Though brief, it provides insight into several important facets of early church history toward the end of the first century. (2) There are remarkable similarities between 3 John and 2 John. Still, the two letters differ in one important aspect: 3 John encourages believers to offer hospitality and support for trustworthy traveling ministers, while 2 John urges believers not to welcome or support untrustworthy ministers. His aim is that believers will not mistakenly promote false or destructive ministry, but rather share in the work of those who spread the true message of Christ.
In order to read the entire New Testament in one year, the book of 3 John should be read in 1 day: = 3 John
NOTES 1 The el der, a 1:1a 2Jn 1:1
in the truth. b4 I have no greater joy
than to hear that my chil dren c are
2 Dear friend, I pray that you may
en joy good health and that all may 1:3b 2Jn 1:4 5 Dear friend, you are faith ful in what
go well with you, even as your soul is 1:4c 1Co 4:15
get ting along well. 3 It gave me great 1:5d Ro 12:13
though they are strang ers to you. d1:1 THE ELDER. See introduction to 2 John.
ticularly those with whom we have shared
1:2 ALL MAY GO WELL. It is God’s provision
and plan that his people be healthy and that
12; 6:4-10; 12:7-10; 1Pe 1:6-7). (b) We may, at
their lives reflect his care and goodness and
times, endure difficulty and distress when our
be accompanied by his blessings. God wants
faith and service to Christ bring opposition
all to go well with us, meaning that he desires
and persecution from the world (Lk 6:20-23;
for our lives, families, work, plans and service
Heb 10:32-34; 1Pe 2:19-21; Rev 2:9-10; see arti-
for him to go according to his purposes and
direction. For this reason, God’s blessings
p. 839). (c) We may experience lack or even
and provisions—made available through the
poverty due to national disasters or natural
life and personal sacrifice of his Son, Jesus—
circumstances, such as war, famine, drought
are provided to meet both physical and spiri-
(4) God’s presence, help and blessing in
prosper us both physically and spiritually,
our physical lives are related to the health
Scripture teaches the following: (1) The word
and prosperity of our spiritual lives. This does
here translated “all may go well” (Gk euodoö)
literally means “to have a good journey, to
exceptional health is spiritually healthy or that
be led along a good road.” According to
those who experience ill health are necessar-
that meaning, John’s prayer was that as we
ily lacking spiritually. It simply means that as
walk the road of relationship with Christ (cf.
we are faithful to Christ, he will bless us in
1Jn 1:7; 2:6; 2Jn 1:6), we may continue to follow
all ways and provide everything he desires
his truth (vv. 3-4) and to experience the “full
for us so that our lives honor him and fulfill
life” (Jn 10:10)—the overall purpose, blessing
his purposes. For this reason, we must seek
and fulfillment—that he desires for us.
God’s desires (Ps 37:4), pursue his plans and
(2) God desires that we earn enough to pro-
purposes (Mt 6:10; 26:39; Heb 10:7-9) and obey
vide the necessities of shelter, food and cloth-
the Holy Spirit (Ro 8:14). We must also remain
ing for ourselves and our families and that we
separated from the corruption of the world
have enough to help others as needed and
(Ro 12:1-2; 2Co 6:16-18), love God’s Word
to contribute to Christ’s cause (Php 4:15-19).
(Jas 1:21; 1Pe 2:2), ask for his help in prayer
According to his purposes, God will provide
(Mt 6:9-13; Heb 4:16), work hard (2Th 3:6-12),
the means for us to do so. But whatever our
trust him to supply our needs (Mt 6:25-34;
means or circumstances, God is able to give
1Pe 5:7) and give priority to his kingdom and
us enough for our needs (2Co 9:8-12), and he
standards above all else (Mt 6:33; see Mt 6:11,
promises to supply our needs “according to
note; Lk 11:3, note; Col 4:12, note; see article
his glorious riches in Christ Jesus” (Php 4:19;
(5) Although our souls may be getting along
well in a spiritual sense, this does not remove
(3) Although we should trust God to supply
all difficulties from other areas of our lives.
all of our material needs, we must recognize
the Bible’s teaching that he may allow us to
experience times of need. (a) We may some-
our needs and situations to him in prayer.
times experience need with the purpose of
1:5 YOU ARE FAITHFUL. John praises Gaius
challenging and encouraging us to trust God
for one particular aspect of his “walking in the
truth” (vv. 3-4); that is, he has been faithful in
strengthen our faith and spiritual endurance.
helping traveling evangelists and missionaries
They also help us to effectively relate and
(i.e., those called by God to take Christ’s mes-
sage to specific lands, cultures and people
6 They have told the church about your 1:7e Ac 20:33,35
noth ing to do with us. 10 So if I come,
I will call at ten tion to what he is do-
7 It was for the sake of the Name that
Not sat is fied with that, he refuses to
the pa gans. e8 We ought there fore to 9 I wrote to the church, but Di ot re- 11 Dear friend, do not im i tate what
groups who have yet to hear about Jesus; vv.
that he is—his nature, attributes, character,
5-8). He has supplied them with lodging, food,
accomplishments, etc. It also represents his
money and whatever other help they needed
full authority and power to fulfill his purposes
for their ministry and journey (cf. Tit 3:13). His
and bring spiritual salvation to all who will
commitment to fulfilling Christ’s missionary
receive him by faith and willingly identify
with his Name (See Ac 4:12, note on salvation
were spreading Christ’s message throughout
being found in “no other name”; see Jn 14:13,
the world (Mt 28:19) was so impressive that
note on the significance of Jesus’ name.)
missionaries had specifically mentioned it to
1:7 RECEIVING NO HELP FROM THE PA-
John (v. 6). Gaius’ action toward these faithful
GANS. Missionaries who leave their homes
messengers of God came from his love for
and go to other places to deliver the message
them, his love for the message of Christ and
of forgiveness and eternal life through faith
his love for those who had not yet heard and
in Christ generally receive no financial or ma-
received that message. We, too, can show this
terial help from the world. Their only source
kind of love and devotion by faithfully sup-
of support is from dedicated Christians like
porting those who take Christ’s message into
Gaius and from faithful churches who are
doing their part to take Christ’s message to all
1:6 IN A MANNER WORTHY OF GOD. Vv. 5-8
the world (Mt 28:19). This is fully appropriate,
refer to traveling messengers of the gospel
since missionaries should not have to depend
of Christ—the “good news” (see Mk 14:9,
on material support from those they are try-
first note on “the gospel”). It is a duty and
ing to reach for Christ. To do so could easily
privilege of God’s people to contribute to
hinder the message and expose the mission-
missionary needs and work—efforts that take
ary to accusation of preaching for financial
Christ’s message to people and cultures that
gain (cf. 1Co 9:12). As we contribute to the
still need to hear and receive his good news
task of taking Christ’s message to all people of
of forgiveness and eternal life. (1) Receiving,
all nations, we must remember the words of
sending and supporting Christian ministries
the Lord Jesus himself, “Anyone who receives
and missionaries must be done “in a manner
a prophet because he is a prophet will receive
worthy of God” (v. 6; 1Co 9:14; Php 4:10-18).
a prophet’s reward, and anyone who receives
(a) This means that we must treat faithful mes-
a righteous man because he is a righteous
sengers of God’s Word as we would treat the
man will receive a righteous man’s reward”
Lord himself (see Mt 10:40) because they are
his servants carrying his message to all the
1:9 LOVES TO BE FIRST. This phrase is
world (see Mt 28:19, note). (b) It also means
one word in the original Greek (philoprö-
that the help, provision and giving should be
teuön), used here as an adjective to describe
done with excellence and to the best of our
Diotrephes. His desire to show himself supe-
ability (cf. 2Co 8:2-3, 11-12; 9:6-8)—even to the
rior, in the place of highest honor, and in
point of personal sacrifice—reflecting the gra-
control caused him to reject John’s authority
cious gift and sacrifice Christ made for us.
and assistance. This form of selfish pride eas-
(2) The sending of missionaries in the early
ily leads to sin (deception, presumption and
church consisted of providing for their jour-
malicious talk) that finds satisfaction in put-
ney and supplying them with food and with
ting others down and lifting up oneself. Those
money to pay expenses and live adequately
who are full of pride and put their own needs,
(see Gal 6:6-10, note; Php 4:16, note; Tit 3:13).
interests and honor ahead of others are not
By supporting missionaries, God’s people
following Christ’s example of humility (see
worked together in spreading the truth (v. 8).
Php 2:3-5ff), nor are they growing in servant
1:7 FOR THE SAKE OF THE NAME. Referring
leadership (see Lk 22:27). Such people, even if
to Jesus Christ by “the Name” represents all
they think they are serving God, are not fulfill-
is evil but what is good. f Any one 1:11f Ps 37:27 13 I have much to write you, but I 1:12g 1Ti 3:7
ink. 14 I hope to see you soon, and
not seen God. 12 Demetrius is well
spo ken of by ev ery one g—and even
ing their part in spreading Christ’s message
Instead, we must pattern our lives after the
example of Christ and of others who have
1:11 DO NOT IMITATE WHAT IS EVIL BUT
faithfully followed him (cf. 1Co 4:16; 1Th 2:14;
WHAT IS GOOD. As followers of Christ,
Heb 13:7). We must be “imitators of God”
we must be careful not to get caught up in
(Eph 5:1; cf. 1Th 1:6), whose behavior and
behaviors, activities and pastimes that are
character are openly and positively distinct
common in the world but that do not reflect
from those who do not follow Christ. Only
God’s character or promote his purposes (cf.
then will people who are truly looking for
Dt 18:9). Many such things may even contra-
hope and answers in life be able to see Christ
dict his standards of truth and moral purity
in us and notice a difference worth consider-
(see Eph 5:1-7). We are not to conform to
the pattern of this corrupt world (Ro 12:2).
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