The Epistle of Third John

By Michael K. Farrar, O.D.

© God’s Breath Publications

 

3 John is an epistle that the Apostle John wrote which is one of the two shortest New Testament books, 2 John being the other one. Each contains less than 300 words in the Greek text and could have fit on a single papyrus sheet. They both stress the importance and boundaries of loving in the truth. Each of these letters is a personal one to an individual.

 

3 John is a letter that revolves around three individuals: Gaius, Diotrephes (di-ot’re-fez) and Demetrius. We will learn more about each of these men as we look into the intent and content of this letter the apostle John wrote. He first begins with a salutation or greeting to his friend Gaius.

 

3 John 1

“The elder, to my dear friend Gaius, whom I love in the truth.”

 

Gaius was a loyal and active layman of the local church, possibly well off materially. (Three other men of this name are mentioned in scripture: (Romans 16:23, 1 Corinthians 1:14, Acts 19:29, Acts 20:4-5). None of these are necessarily this particular “Gaius” because Gaius was a very common name in the first century. But we do know from John’s greeting in this letter that Gaius was well-loved by John.

 

John continues in this letter commending Gaius for his committed obedience to Christ in the way he lived and served other Christians. It is always good for us to encourage one another in how we are living correctly as Christians and John was very good at this type of encouragement. We should learn a lesson here and seek to compliment and encourage other Christians in how they are living as godly Christians, for we would naturally appreciate such compliments ourselves.

 

3 John 2-4

“Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well. It gave me great joy to have some brothers come and tell about your faithfulness to the truth and how you continue to walk in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”

 

John here shares his heart with Gaius, that he wishes him good health, but also that all other things in his life might go well also. While it is desired by all of us to have a good life and often we are rewarded by God with blessings as we obey Him, sometimes there are hardships and trials that come during times when we are closely following the Lord. It is often assumed by us that if we obey God He automatically blesses and if we disobey Him, He quickly punishes. But God has greater purposes than ours and sometimes His way and will not always make sense to us. Blessings and chastisement given by God are sent according to His perfect will. Let us follow the way of John and Gaius and obey God’s Word and the teachings of Jesus, not to receive blessings or avoid punishment, but to demonstrate our love for the Lord.

 

John next compliments Gaius on the hospitality he shows to traveling missionaries and teachers.

 

3 John 5-8

“Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers, even though they are strangers to you. They have told the church about your love. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God. It was for the sake of the Name that they went out, receiving no help from the pagans. We ought therefore to show hospitality to such men so that we may work together for the truth.”

 

John mentions here that Gaius’ reputation of generosity and Christian love are becoming known as he responds to the needs of others with the love of Christ. When we treat others as God and Jesus would and as the Holy Spirit would direct us, we will gain a reputation of being Christ-like in how we serve others. What better reputation would a person wish to have?

 

Three reasons are given here for supporting those faithful servants of Christ.

 

They serve for the sake of the name of Jesus.

 

They do not expect to receive help from non-believers. Christians need to then assist in supplying their needs.

 

They are to be supported and helped so we can participate in their work for Christ.

 

Matthew wrote about this same generosity of love in chapter 10, verse 41 of his gospel, “Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man’s reward.”

 

But John has more than complements for Gaius to share in his letter. He knows he must address the issues that Diotrephes is causing.

 

3 John 9-10

“I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will have nothing to do with us. So if I come, I will call attention to what he is doing, gossiping maliciously about us. Not satisfied with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers. He also stops those who want to do so and puts them out of the church.”

 

Diotrephes was a domineering deacon or influential leader who was refusing to support or help traveling Christian missionaries. John points out what he has discerned that Diotrephes has an ego and wishes to dominate the local Christian assembly. He is egotistical, domineering, jealous, a malicious gossip, inhospitable, violent and dangerous.

 

Diotrephes is distancing himself from John and others in leadership. It is possible that when John mentions here that he wrote to the church earlier that Diotrephes intercepted the letter and destroyed it. John’s early communications were refused by Diotrephes so John is writing this letter to Gaius not only to encourage him but also inform him that John himself will come to address the disrupting and ungodly situation Diotrephes is causing.

 

The name “Diotrephes” means “nourished by Zeus” or “foster child of Zeus.” This name is as uncommon as Gaius is common. Some commentators believe Diotrephes was from a noble family and possibly had a very arrogant behavior because of his upbringing.

 

John indicted Diotrephes on FOUR COUNTS:

 

He was guilty of unjustly accusing John with wicked words.

 

He was guilty of not receiving Christian brothers and showing loving hospitality to them.

 

He was guilty of forbidding others to show hospitality to them.

 

He was guilty of removing true Christians from the church fellowship.

 

Pride apparently was a major issue of Diotrephes and there are numerous scripture passages that talk about the danger and evil that pride brings.

 

Psalms 31:18 “Let their lying lips be silenced, for with pride and contempt they speak arrogantly against the righteous.”

 

Psalms 56:2 “My slanderers pursue me all day long many are attacking me in their pride.”

 

Psalms 73:6 “Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence.”

 

Proverbs 13:10 “Pride only breeds quarrels,”

 

Proverbs 16:18 “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”

 

Proverbs 21:24 “e proud and arrogant man — ‘Mocker’ is his name; he behaves with overweening pride.”

 

Proverbs 29:23 “A man’s pride brings him low,”

 

John next encourages Gaius to avoid the influence of Diotrephes.

 

3 John 11

“Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.”

 

Another test for validation of salvation and faith is in this verse. Doing good as you walk in Christ is evidence you are saved. This does not mean all good behavior is reflective of a god directed life. Christians can do good deeds in the flesh and non-believers can do good deeds even though they are spiritually dead. We know we are not justified by works, but by faith (Galatians 2:16). Good works are simply proof we have been saved by faith (James 2:26). Godly behavior is centered on serving Jesus Christ because a follower of Christ is filled with the Holy Spirit and loves their Lord and Master deeply.

 

John 14:15, 21 “If you love me, you will obey what I command…Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.”

 

In verse 12 John gives Gaius an example with which to contrast the evil Diotrephes. John is possibly giving Gaius someone to seek out to form a supporting friendship with as he deals with the issues Diotrephes is causing in the local church.

 

3 John 12

“Demetrius is well spoken of by everyone — and even by the truth itself. We also speak well of him, and you know that our testimony is true.”

 

John ends this letter in a similar fashion as 2 John, with much more to say, but wishing to do so in person. This demonstrates his commitment to relationship, for face to face communication is always better if possible.

 

3 John 13-14

“I have much to write you, but I do not want to do so with pen and ink. I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face. Peace to you. The friends here send their greetings. Greet the friends there by name.”