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New Testament📬 General Epistles
Author:John
Date Written:85-95 AD
Chapters:1
Position:Book 25 of 27

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3 John

Book Overview​

Author: "The Elder" - John the Apostle Date of Writing: Approximately 85-95 AD Historical Context: Conflict over authority and hospitality in the church Original Audience: Gaius, a faithful believer and church leader Purpose: To commend Gaius for showing hospitality and address Diotrephes' opposition to John's authority Genre: Epistle; personal letter

One-Sentence Summary​

Practice Christian hospitality and support gospel workers, imitating good not evil, as demonstrated by faithful Gaius versus proud Diotrephes.

Book Structure​

  1. Greeting and Commendation of Gaius (verses 1-4)

    • Joy in Gaius's faithfulness
    • Walking in the truth

  2. Gaius's Hospitality Praised (verses 5-8)

    • Supporting traveling teachers
    • Co-workers in the truth

  3. Diotrephes's Pride Condemned (verses 9-10)

    • Loves to be first
    • Rejects apostolic authority
    • Malicious gossip

  4. Demetrius Commended (verses 11-12)

    • Good testimony from all
    • Imitate what is good

  5. Closing Remarks (verses 13-14)

    • Hope for face-to-face visit

Key Verses​

3 John 1:4 - "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth."

Significance: Reveals the heart of spiritual leadership—finding deepest satisfaction in the spiritual faithfulness of fellow believers.

3 John 1:8 - "We ought therefore to show hospitality to such people so that we may work together for the truth."

Significance: Calls believers to support gospel workers through practical hospitality, making them partners in spreading truth.

3 John 1:11 - "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."

Significance: Establishes that actions reveal spiritual reality—imitation of good or evil demonstrates one's true relationship with God.

Key Themes & Messages​

Major Themes​

  1. Christian Hospitality

    • Gaius commended for welcoming traveling teachers
    • Supporting those going out "for the Name"
    • Showing hospitality to strangers doing gospel work
    • Partnership in truth through practical support

  2. Walking in Truth

    • Joy that Gaius walks in the truth
    • Truth lived out in daily life
    • Greatest joy: children walking in truth
    • Faith demonstrated through actions

  3. Contrasting Examples

    • Gaius: faithful, hospitable, walking in truth (imitate good)
    • Diotrephes: loves to be first, rejects authority, gossips, refuses hospitality (don't imitate evil)
    • Demetrius: good testimony from everyone and from truth itself

  4. The Problem of Diotrephes

    • Loves to be first, seeks preeminence
    • Refuses to welcome John's representatives
    • Spreading malicious nonsense about John
    • Puts people out of church who want to show hospitality

  5. Doing Good

    • Anyone who does what is good is from God
    • Whoever does evil has not seen God
    • Actions reveal spiritual reality
    • Imitate what is good, not what is evil

Central Message​

3 John is a personal letter commending Gaius for faithfully supporting traveling teachers despite opposition from Diotrephes, who seeks preeminence and rejects John's authority. The brief letter contrasts three individuals: hospitable Gaius, power-hungry Diotrephes, and well-testified Demetrius. John encourages imitating good rather than evil, supporting gospel workers through hospitality, and walking in truth. The epistle addresses church conflict over authority and shows that genuine faith produces generous support for gospel ministry, while pride seeks control and refuses legitimate authority.

Practical Application​

For Daily Living:

  • Practice Hospitality: Look for opportunities to support missionaries, church planters, and traveling ministers - welcome them into your home and help their ministry (3 John 1:5-8)
  • Support Gospel Workers: Financially and practically support those who go out for the sake of the Name, becoming co-workers in truth (3 John 1:7-8)
  • Resist the Urge to Control: Guard against Diotrephes' attitude - seeking preeminence and controlling others damages the church (3 John 1:9)
  • Imitate What is Good: When you see godly examples like Gaius or Demetrius, consciously model your behavior after theirs (3 John 1:11)
  • Maintain Your Reputation: Let your actions earn a good testimony from everyone - live so that truth itself testifies about you (3 John 1:12)

For Spiritual Growth:

  • Examine your heart for pride and the desire for preeminence - cultivate humility and servant leadership instead
  • Find joy in other believers walking in truth, making their spiritual growth a source of personal delight (3 John 1:4)
  • Develop generosity toward gospel work, recognizing that supporting ministry is partnership in spreading truth
  • Choose your role models carefully - imitate those who demonstrate genuine faith through good deeds, not those who seek power (3 John 1:11)

Commentaries​

Best Overall The Letters of John (Pillar New Testament Commentary) by Colin G. Kruse - Excellent treatment of hospitality and contrasting examples of Christian character.

For Beginners The Epistles of John (Tyndale New Testament Commentaries) by John Stott - Clear, accessible guide to practicing hospitality and imitating what is good.

For In-Depth Study 1, 2, and 3 John (NIV Application Commentary) by Gary M. Burge - Outstanding at applying John's teaching on hospitality and church leadership to contemporary situations.

Technical/Academic The Epistles of John (NIGTC) by I. Howard Marshall - Comprehensive scholarly treatment with careful attention to early church structure and conflicts.