New Spirit-Filled Life Bible

Author and Recipients

In both 2 and 3 John, the writer refers to himself as “the Elder,” suggesting that he was older than the other Christians and that his personal knowledge of the faith went back much further than theirs. The strongest evidence is that all three epistles of John were written by a common author. See Introduction to 2 John: Author and Recipients.

Nothing is known about “the beloved Gaius” beyond the warm tribute John pays to him in the address of this letter. Gaius was a common name in the Roman world, and the New Testament mentions a Gaius in Corinth (Rom. 16:23; 1 Cor. 1:14), in Macedonia (Acts 19:29), and in Derbe (Acts 20:4). There is no evidence for associating the Gaius of 3 John with any of these men. Evidently he was a leader in some church of Asia.

Date

John was aged both in years and experience when he wrote this letter in conjunction with 2 John near the end of his life, about A.D. 90.

Occasion and Purpose

Whereas in 2 John itinerant heretics were disturbing the faith of Christians, in this epistle genuine teachers of truth are making a circuit of the churches. In the previous letter John forbade hospitality toward the false teachers; here he encourages hospitality. However, Diotrephes, a domineering person in one of the churches, opposed the authority of John. In addition, he refused hospitality to the traveling missionaries and prohibited others from entertaining them, excommunicating them when they did. John wrote to encourage Gaius in his generosity and to rebuke Diotrephes for his uncharitable conduct.

Content

In fulfilling his purpose, John describes three personalities. The first is Gaius, who has demonstrated his Christian faith by his generous hospitality, even to strangers. The second is Diotrephes, whose selfish pride was disrupting the harmony of the fellowship. The third is Demetrius, whose life exemplified Christian fidelity and was worthy of imitation. These three men bear positive and negative witness to proper relationships among Christian brethren.

Personal Application

This letter portrays the church as a family united by bonds of love, with its members extending gracious hospitality toward one another. However, selfish ambition and factious jealousy imperil the church’s fellowship, and its members must guard against such attitudes and strive to maintain a loving relationship with each other.

Christ Revealed

The apostle presents Jesus as the Truth in whom we should walk. Devotion to Him motivates genuine teachers in their itinerant service (v. 7). The lives of Gaius and Demetrius exactly harmonized with the teaching of Christ, and gave strong witness to the power of His love. On the other hand, the attitude of Diotrephes shows a marked contrast to the true life in which Christ is to be first in everything.

The Holy Spirit at Work

The epistle does not directly refer to the Holy Spirit, but His ministry is apparent throughout its message, particularly in enabling believers to “walk in the truth” and empowering itinerant missionaries in their ministries. The fruit of the Spirit is evident in the lives of Gaius and Demetrius.

Outline of 3 John

Salutation 1

I. Message to Gaius 2–8

A. Prayer for his health 2

B. Commendation for his adherence to the truth 3, 4

C. Commendation for his hospitality 5–8

II. Condemnation of the haughtiness of Diotrephes 9–11

III. Commendation of Demetrius 12

Conclusion 13, 14

Greeting to Gaius

1 THE Elder,

To the beloved Gaius, ^awhom I love in truth:

2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.

Kingdom Dynamics

2 Prosperity Is a Result, GOD’S ABUNDANCE. It is clear that God wants His children to prosper. How can anyone deny that? However, prosperity should not be the end in itself. It ought to be the result of a quality of life, commitment, dedication, and action that is in line with God’s Word. In this text the word “prosper” (Greek euodoo) literally means “to help on the road” or “succeed in reaching.” It clearly implies that divine prosperity is not a momentary, passing phenomenon, but rather it is an ongoing, progressing state of success and well-being. It is intended for every area of our lives: the spiritual, the physical and emotional, and the material. However, God does not want us to unduly emphasize any one area. We must maintain a balance.

(Luke 6:38/Mark 10:17–27) F.K.C.P.

3 For I ^arejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth.

Kingdom Dynamics

3 The Key to Unified Relationship, CALL TO UNITY. The apostle John speaks of walking both in the light (1 John 1:7) and in the truth (3 John 3). The two are parts of the same concept. Christ is our light. He promised that those who follow Him will not walk in darkness (John 8:12). In His light, we see truth, live the truth, and speak the truth. The Holy Spirit is the inner light who helps us see what that means for each relationship and circumstance. Walking in His light and truth is the only possible basis for true unity. John puts it clearly, “If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another” (1 John 1:7). Nothing debilitates a deep relationship more than pretense—dishonesty with the light of His Word and counsel. Too easily we project a “pretend person” to others. To attempt to pretend that we are other than we are brings stiffness and strain into relationships. Others are either put off, or, in response, pretend as well. Walking in truth of light shows us who we really are; yes, our weaknesses, but also our security in Christ. The key to having great relationships is vulnerability, allowing people to know us as growing, though sometimes failing, yet always as Spirit-motivated people. Unity—true, practical love—happens when we walk in the light and in the truth.

(Phil. 4:1–5/Eccl. 4:9–12*) L.O.

4 I have no greater ^ajoy than to hear that ^bmy children walk in ¹truth.

Gaius Commended for Generosity

5 Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you ^*do for the brethren ¹and 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, ^ataking nothing from the Gentiles.

8 We therefore ought to ^areceive¹ such, that we may become fellow workers for the truth.

Diotrephes and Demetrius

9 I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us.

10 Therefore, if I come, I will call to mind his deeds which he does, ^aprating¹ 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.

11 Beloved, ^ado not imitate what is evil, but what is good. ^bHe who does good is of God, ¹but he who does evil has not seen ^cGod.

12 Demetrius ^ahas a good ^*testimony from all, and from the truth itself. And we also ¹bear witness, ^band you know that our testimony is ^*true.

Farewell Greeting

13 ^aI 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.

2 John prays that the temporal prosperity and physical health of Gaius will be commensurate with his spiritual status, which his generosity and conduct reveal to be in a healthy and prosperous condition. Wishing the reader good health at the beginning of a letter was a common practice in ancient times, but John’s prayer was sincere, not a matter of social convention. As such, it gives a warrant for praying for the physical, the material, and the spiritual well-being of others, and it provides a model of intercession.

3, 4 See section 4 of Truth-In-Action at the end of 3 John.

4 As the aged apostle, John refers to his converts and other believers under his guidance as his children.

5, 6 See section 1 of Truth-In-Action at the end of 3 John.

5 See Matt. 10:10.

6 Gaius is to treat the itinerant preachers in a manner worthy of God. As His messengers, they represent God and should receive the generosity befitting their sacred calling.

7, 8 See section 2 of Truth-In-Action at the end of 3 John.

7, 8 John gives three reasons for supporting the missionaries: 1) they are serving Christ; 2) to avoid all suspicion of unworthy motives in their ministry, they have refused remuneration from those to whom they ministered; 3) those who support missionaries share in their work of the gospel.

9 The letter to which John refers has been lost, possibly destroyed by Diotrephes.

10 See Introduction to 3 John: Occasion and Purpose.

11 See section 3 of Truth-In-Action at the end of 3 John.

12 See Introduction to 3 John: Content.

14 Shortly suggests an urgency to see Gaius, perhaps to discuss the situation involving Diotrephes.