3 John 1

3 John 1:1

I. SALUTATION (Vv. 1-4) V. 1 As in his Second Epistle, John speaks of himself as the elder. He addresses the Letter to the beloved Gaius, whom he loves in truth. Although we do not know if this is the Gaius mentioned in Rom_16:23 or the one in Act_20:4, it is surprising how much we do learn about him in these few verses. First of all, we gather that he was a much beloved believer, a man whose whole life commended him to his fellow Christians. V. 2 But apparently he was not too well in body, since John wishes that his physical health might correspond to his spiritual vigor. When John says I pray that you may prosper in all things it is doubtful that he is thinking of wealth or material prosperity. Rather he is speaking of physical well-being, as suggested by the next phraseand be in health. Would we want our physical condition to correspond to our spiritual? Is it not sadly true that we take better care of our bodies than of our souls? That is why F. B. Meyer wryly remarked: It would not be desirable to express the wish of verse 2 to all our friends, because if their bodies were to correspond to the condition of their souls, they would suddenly fall into ill-health. Verse 2 flatly contradicts what is taught by many so-called faith-healers. They contend that all sickness is a result of sin in the life, and that if a person isn’t healed, it’s because of a lack of faith. This certainly wasn’t true in Gaius’ case. His spiritual condition was good, but his physical condition was not so good. This shows that one’s spiritual state cannot be argued from the bodily one. V. 3 The apostle rejoiced greatly when certain brethren came and testified of the truth that was in Gaius, and how he walked in the truth. It is good to have the truth in us but it is better to manifest the truth in our lives. We should not only hold the truth, but allow the truth to hold us. Men would rather see a sermon than hear one. Nothing counts more for God in an age of fact than a holy life. V. 4 So important was this to John that he could say, I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. Perhaps most of us think of soul-winning as the greatest joy of the Christian life, and it is wonderful indeed to see men and women translated from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of the Son of His love. But who can measure the heartache to see those who professed to be saved, returning to their former life; like a sow returning to her wallowing in the mire and a dog to its vomit. On the other hand, what a thrill it is to see one’s spiritual children going on for the Lord, from grace to grace. Again this emphasizes the importance of follow-up work in all our evangelistic endeavors.

3 John 1:5

II. THE GODLY GAIUS (Vv. 5-8) V. 5 Gaius took a special delight in throwing open his home to those who had gone out preaching the gospel. He extended his gracious hospitality not only to those whom he knew, but to strangers as well. John says that he was faithful in this ministry. It appears from the NT that hospitality is very important in God’s sight. If we entertain the Lord’s people, it is the same as if we entertain the Lord Himself (Mat_25:40). On the other hand, failure to entertain His servants is looked upon as failure to entertain Him (Mat_25:45).

Through entertaining strangers, some have unwittingly entertained angels (Heb_13:2). Many can testify that through the practice of hospitality, meals have been turned into sacraments (Luk_24:29-35), children have been converted, and families have been drawn closer to the Lord. V. 6 Rewards are involved. Gaius’ kindness was known to all the church. But more than that, his name is forever enshrined in God’s Holy Word as one who had an open home and an open heart. And even more, Gaius will yet be rewarded at the Judgment Seat of Christ, for he who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward (Mat_10:41). He will share in the reward of all those preachers he entertained. This is a good point to remember for those who cannot preach: You can receive a preacher’s reward by showing hospitality to preachers in the name of the Lord. God will pay back all good deeds! His kindness will crown the kindness of men. Now John reminds Gaius that he will do well to send them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God. To send them forward on their journey means not just a friendly farewell, but adequate supplies. This surely sets a high standard for us as we share our material things with those who preach and teach. V. 7 A special reason is given why Gaius should be helpful to these itinerant evangelists: Because they went forth for His name’s sake taking nothing from the Gentiles. These men looked to the Lord alone for the supply of their needs. They would not accept support from the unconverted. To do so would imply that their Master was too poor to provide for them. It might also give the unsaved a false ground of self-righteousness on which to rest. What a rebuke this is to the money-raising methods of Christendom today! And how it should remind us of the special obligation we have toward those servants of the Lord who go out in faith in the living God and who make their needs known to no one but the Lord. V. 8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we may become fellow workers for the truth. To receive them means to do everything possible to help them, for when we do, we help the truth in its onward march.

3 John 1:9

III. THE DICTATORIAL DIOTREPHES (Vv. 9-11) V. 9 Apparently John had written along this line to the church, but his Letter was intercepted by a man named Diotrephes, who had an exaggerated view of his own importance. He was a virtual dictator in the assembly. His sin was pride of place, an inflated ego, and a violent jealousy for what he regarded as his own rightswhich he doubtless defended as the autonomy of the local church. Diotrephes had forgotten that Christ is the Head of the churchif he ever knew it! He had forgotten that the Holy Spirit is the Vicar or Representative of Christ in the church. No mere man has the right to take charge, to make decisions, to receive, or to refuse.

Such conduct is popery, and God hates it. Doubtless Diotrephes excused his behavior on the ground that he was contending for the truth. But that was, of course, a lie! He was doing untold harm to the truth by refusing the apostle on the pretext of being faithful to God. And not only John, but other brethren as well. V. 10 Not only did he refuse these true believers, but he excommunicated those who did receive them. He was a power-mad creature, prating against God’s true servants with malicious words. John will remember him on his next visit to that assembly! Such self-styled popes cannot stand being openly denounced from the word of God. Their continuance in power depends upon secret meetings and upon a reign of fear and intimidation. V. 11 Gaius is exhorted to turn away from such evil behavior and to follow what is good. Good works are an evidence of relationship with God. That being so, the apostle seems to cast grave doubts on the spiritual state of Diotrephes.

3 John 1:12

IV. DEVOUT DEMETRIUS (V. 12) Perhaps Demetrius was the bearer of this Letter. At any rate, he had a good testimony from all, and from the truth itself. F. B. Hole says: Note, it is not that he bore witness to the truth, but that the truth bore witness to him. Demetrius was not the standard by which truth was tested. The truth was the standard by which he was tested; and having been so tested, he stood approved.

3 John 1:13

V. THE APOSTLE’S PLAN AND BENEDICTION (Vv. 13, 14) John closes in much the same way as he closed his Second Epistledelaying discussion until face to face reunion. We are indebted to him for these Letters, giving us an insight into life in the early days of Christianity, and setting forth timeless instruction for the people of God. Soon we shall speak face to face in heaven, and then we shall understand more fully the occasional obscurities of divine revelation.