3 John · chapter 1 of 1
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3 John is a personal letter from the elder to his friend Gaius. He rejoices that Gaius walks in the truth and praises him for welcoming and helping traveling brothers who went out for the sake of the Name. He denounces Diotrephes, who loves to be first, rejects the elder's authority and puts out of the church those who welcome the missionaries, and he commends Demetrius as an example of what is good.
Third John is the shortest book of the Bible by Greek word count and the most personal of John's three letters. It shows how life worked in first-century churches: traveling missionaries depended on believers' hospitality, and an ambitious leader could block that help. It is a practical message about service, humility and supporting the Lord's work.
The elder writes to beloved Gaius, whom he loves in truth. He prays that all may go well with him and that he may be in good health, as his soul is getting along well. He rejoiced greatly when brothers came and testified to the truth in which Gaius walks. He has no greater joy than to hear that his children are walking in the truth (vv. 1-4).
He praises Gaius for his faithfulness in what he does for the brothers, even when they are strangers. They testified to his love before the church. He asks him to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God, because they went out for the sake of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. So believers ought to support such people and thus become fellow workers for the truth (vv. 5-8).
The elder wrote something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge them. When he comes, he will call attention to what Diotrephes does, talking wicked nonsense against them; not content with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers and stops those who want to, and puts them out of the church (vv. 9-10).
The elder urges Gaius not to imitate evil but good: whoever does good is from God, and whoever does evil has not seen God. Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself; the elder adds his own, and Gaius knows it is true. He has much to write, but prefers to see him soon and speak face to face. Peace be to him, and the friends greet him (vv. 11-14).
References follow ESV book names and verse numbers. Read each verse in your Bible before the explanation.
The elder prays that Gaius may prosper and be in good health, as his soul prospers. It is an affectionate greeting that shows concern for a person's whole well-being, not only the spiritual part.
The elder has no greater joy than to hear that his children walk in the truth. It is the heart of a pastor who rejoices to see his disciples grow.
We ought to support those who go out for the Name, so that we may be fellow workers for the truth. Supporting with resources and hospitality is sharing in the same work.
The elder asks us not to imitate evil but good, because whoever does good is from God. Faith shows in conduct, and the examples we follow shape our lives.
6 questions with answers and references, ready for Sunday school, small group or a Bible quiz night.
Answer: To beloved Gaius, whom he loves in truth. — 3 John 1:1
Answer: Hearing that his children are walking in the truth. — 3 John 1:4
Answer: They went out for the sake of the Name and accepted nothing from the Gentiles. — 3 John 1:7
Answer: By supporting those who go out for the Name. — 3 John 1:8
Answer: He liked to put himself first, did not welcome the brothers, stopped those who wanted to and put them out of the church. — 3 John 1:9-10
Answer: Demetrius. — 3 John 1:12
3 John invites us to ask how we support those who serve the Lord, such as missionaries, pastors, teachers or volunteers. Gaius did nothing spectacular: he welcomed some brothers into his home and helped them on their journey. A class can think of a person or ministry that needs concrete support this month.
The case of Diotrephes warns against the desire to be first. It is a danger for any leader. We can ask whether our service aims for Christ to be known or for us to be recognized, and remember that the church is his.
3 John ends with the elder's wish to see Gaius soon, with greetings and a wish for peace. With this letter John's three letters are complete, and the next, Jude, warns again about those who infiltrate the churches.
He is known only from this passage. He was an influential member of a church who rejected the elder's authority, spoke ill of him and would not receive the missionaries. The text stresses his ambition, not a false doctrine. That is why he is an example of how pride can harm a church.
No. It is a common personal greeting in letters of the time, in which the elder wishes his friend health and success. It shows that God cares about the whole of people's lives, but it is not a general promise of wealth or guaranteed health.