3 John

Introduction to 3 John

The Gospel of John and the Johannine Letters

How to Study the Bible

1 The elder May refer to the Apostle John or another church leader who is referred to in early church writings as “John the elder.” See note on 2 John 1.

to Gaius the beloved This title of admiration indicates that Gaius was a reputable member of the community. Based on the context of the rest of the letter, it seems that he was known for his hospitality and support of the apostolic mission (3 John 3).

2 concerning everything and be healthy The personal nature of this greeting and blessing may suggest that 3 John was only intended to be correspondence between associates, not a letter read aloud to the church (compare 2 John 1–4).

3 walking in the truth The author commends Gaius for his commitment to the truth of the gospel and for showing hospitality (see 3 John 5–6).

4 my children A reference to John’s spiritual children, the members of the churches (or the congregations themselves) that he is addressing. See 1 John 2:1 and note.

5 brothers Refers to missionaries associated with or familiar to John. Familial language was common among believers in the early church.

6 They have testified to your love Before appealing to Gaius for support, John praises the reputation that Gaius has made for himself by being hospitable and showing good will to traveling missionaries.

to send them on their way Refers to giving missionaries support and meeting their needs, possibly including lodging, sustenance, and monetary support.

7 on behalf of the name Refers to the name of Christ (1 John 2:12; 3:23; 5:13). This is a mark of what they represent and identifies them with the Christian evangelistic movement of the first century.

accepting nothing from the pagans The first-century believers desired for missionary efforts to be funded solely by the Christian community, so that missionaries did not have to request support from the unreached people they were sharing the gospel with.

8 we ought to support such people John aligns himself with missionaries and asks Gaius to do the same.

we become fellow workers By assisting traveling missionaries, believers become part of the larger effort of the gospel reaching the world.

9 I wrote something to the church Diotrephes apparently ignored this writing (see the final clause in this verse; compare 3 John 10).

wants to be first among them Diotrephes was apparently a usurper of authority. John may also be describing Diotrephes’ concern for his own needs—he did not want to share his resources with others.

10 disparaging us with evil words The nature of these evil words is unknown. Diotrephes is apparently undermining John’s authority and perhaps also that of other elders.

does not receive the brothers Apparently he was asked to do so on an earlier trip.

throws them out of the church Diotrephes may have been using John’s words against false teachers in 2 John against the missionaries and John himself (see 2 John 10 and note; 2 John 11 and note).

11 Dear friend John addresses Gaius in this manner for a third time (see 3 John 2 and note).

The one who does good is of God John identifies the actions of a person as demonstrative of their true character (see 1 John 3:10; 4:4, 6).

who does evil has not seen God The warning concerns unrighteous patterns of life rather than single, sporadic sins. Those who oppose the message of Jesus, especially while claiming otherwise (like Diotrephes has) show themselves to be people who do not know God at all.

12 testified to by all Contrasts the description of Diotrephes. Demetrius may have been the leader of the missionaries coming to Gaius, or he may have been the one who carried this letter (3 John) to Gaius.

we also testify John personally vouches for Demetrius, demonstrating that he knows his character to be true to Christ (compare 3 John 6 and note).

you know that our testimony is true John hinges his personal recommendation of Demetrius on his own reputation.

15 The friends greet you John uses friendship language to describe those who are present with him.

Greet the friends by name Refers to members of Gaius’ community. John asks that Gaius pass along his personal greeting to them.