The Third Epistle of John is the shortest book in the New Testament by word count (in the original Greek). While 2 John dealt with the danger of welcoming false teachers, 3 John deals with the duty of welcoming true teachers. It is a personal letter written by the Apostle John to his beloved friend Gaius, praising him for his generosity to traveling missionaries. However, the letter also exposes a church crisis: a power-hungry leader named Diotrephes is rejecting John’s authority and refusing to welcome these brothers. 3 John provides a fascinating glimpse into early church politics, contrasting the humble service of Gaius with the toxic ego of Diotrephes.
Quick Facts
- Author: The Apostle John (“The Elder”)
- Date Written: ~85–95 AD
- Recipient: Gaius (a faithful lay leader)
- Theme: Christian Hospitality and Church Leadership
- Key Word: “Imitate” and “Name” (for the sake of the Name)
- Key Verse: 3 John 1:4 (“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”)
- Structure: Praise for Gaius (1–8) → Rebuke of Diotrephes (9–10) → Commendation of Demetrius (11–12)
- Symbol: The Open Door — representing hospitality to God’s servants
Title / Purpose
Title: The Third Epistle of John.
Purpose:
- To Encourage Hospitality: To thank Gaius for hosting the traveling evangelists, even though they were strangers to him.
- To Confront Arrogance: To call out Diotrephes, a local leader who “loves to be first” and was excommunicating anyone who defied him.
- To Endorse Demetrius: To vouch for Demetrius (likely the letter carrier), ensuring he would be received well.
Authorship & Context
The Author: John again identifies himself as “The Elder.” His authority is being challenged, which suggests this was written very late in his life when his direct apostolic influence was being questioned by upstart local leaders.
The Context: The early church depended on itinerant (traveling) missionaries to spread the Gospel. These workers accepted no money from Pagans (v. 7), so they relied entirely on the support of local believers. To reject them was to hinder the Great Commission.
Structure / Narrative Arc
The letter is a tale of three men: one to commend, one to condemn, and one to recommend.
1. Gaius: The Hospitable Servant (Verses 1–8):
- Soul Prosperity: John prays that Gaius’s physical health would match his spiritual health.
- Walking in Truth: Reports have come that Gaius is faithful.
- Support: By hosting these brothers, Gaius is becoming a “coworker for the truth.” They went out “for the sake of the Name.”
2. Diotrephes: The Toxic Leader (Verses 9–10):
- The Problem: He “loves to be first” (philopróteuon).
- The Actions: He maliciously gossips about John, refuses to welcome the missionaries, and kicks out church members who try to help them.
- The Verdict: John promises to deal with him personally when he arrives.
3. Demetrius: The Approved Example (Verses 11–12):
- The Principle: “Do not imitate what is evil but what is good.”
- The Endorsement: Demetrius is well-spoken of by everyone, and even by the truth itself.
Major Themes
Support for Missions: Verse 8 establishes the biblical principle of missionary support. Those who stay behind and support the goers become “fellow workers for the truth.” We cannot all go, but we can all support those who do.
Toxic Leadership: Diotrephes is the New Testament prototype of a spiritual dictator. His defining sin was not heresy (like in 2 John), but pride. He rejected apostolic authority because he wanted preeminence for himself.
Soul Prosperity: Verse 2 (“I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well”) is a classic Christian greeting, prioritizing spiritual health as the standard for physical well-being.
Key Characters
Gaius: The recipient; a man of truth, love, and open-handed generosity. Diotrephes: The antagonist; a church boss driven by ego and control. Demetrius: The bearer of the letter; a man of integrity whom John holds up as the model to imitate. The Strangers: The traveling missionaries who went out for the sake of Christ’s name.
Notable Passages
No Greater Joy (Verse 4): “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”
For the Name (Verse 7): “It was for the sake of the Name that they went out, receiving no help from the pagans.”
Coworkers (Verse 8): “We ought therefore to show hospitality to such people so that we may work together for the truth.”
Imitate Good (Verse 11): “Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good.”
Legacy & Impact
Missions Funding: 3 John is a foundational text for modern parachurch ministries and missionary societies, establishing the ethics of donor support.
Ecclesiology: It serves as a permanent warning to the church about the dangers of authoritarian leadership. When a leader refuses accountability (even from an Apostle!), they have disqualified themselves.
Symbolism / Typology
The Wallet/Purse: Implied in the text. To open one’s home and purse to the missionaries is to open it to Christ. To close it (like Diotrephes) is to hinder the Gospel.
Face to Face: Like 2 John, this letter ends with a desire for personal presence, reminding us that technology (writing/email) is a tool, but embodied fellowship is the goal.
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