The Third Epistle of
JOHN
Author: The Apostle John
Date: About A.D. 90
Theme: Practicing Hospitality Toward Genuine Christian Teachers
Key Words: Love, Truth
Author and Recipients. In both 2 and 3 John, the writer refers to himself as “the Elder,” suggesting that he was older than the other Christians and that his personal knowledge of the faith went back much further than theirs. The strongest evidence is that all three epistles of John were written by a common author. See Introduction to 2 John: Author and Recipients.
Nothing is known about “the beloved Gaius” beyond the warm tribute John pays to him in the address of this letter. Gaius was a common name in the Roman world, and the New Testament mentions a Gaius in Corinth (Rom. 16:23; 1 Cor. 1:14), in Macedonia (Acts 19:29), and in Derbe (Acts 20:4). There is no evidence for associating the Gaius of 3 John with any of these men. Evidently he was a leader in some church of Asia.
Date. John was aged both in years and experience when he wrote this letter in conjunction with 2 John near the end of his life, about A.D. 90.
Occasion and Purpose. Whereas in 2 John itinerant heretics were disturbing the faith of Christians, in this epistle genuine teachers of truth are making a circuit of the churches. In the previous letter John forbade hospitality toward the false teachers; here he encourages hospitality. However, Diotrephes, a domineering person in one of the churches, opposed the authority of John. In addition, he refused hospitality to the traveling missionaries and prohibited others from entertaining them, excommunicating them when they did. John wrote to encourage Gaius in his generosity and to rebuke Diotrephes for his uncharitable conduct.
Content. In fulfilling his purpose, John describes three personalities. The first is Gaius, who has demonstrated his Christian faith by his generous hospitality, even to strangers. The second is Diotrephes, whose selfish pride was disrupting the harmony of the fellowship. The third is Demetrius, whose life exemplified Christian fidelity and was worthy of imitation. These three men bear positive and negative witness to proper relationships among Christian brethren.
Personal Application. This letter portrays the church as a family united by bonds of love, with its members extending gracious hospitality toward one another. However, selfish ambition and factious jealousy imperil the church’s fellowship, and its members must guard against such attitudes and strive to maintain a loving relationship with each other.
Christ Revealed. The apostle presents Jesus as the Truth in whom we should walk. Devotion to Him motivates genuine teachers in their itinerant service (v. 7). The lives of Gaius and Demetrius exactly harmonized with the teaching of Christ, and gave strong witness to the power of His love. On the other hand, the attitude of Diotrephes shows a marked contrast to the true life in which Christ is to be first in everything.
The Holy Spirit at Work. The epistle does not directly refer to the Holy Spirit, but His ministry is apparent throughout its message, particularly in enabling believers to “walk in the truth” and empowering itinerant missionaries in their ministries. The fruit of the Spirit is evident in the lives of Gaius and Demetrius.
Jack W. Hayford, Spirit Filled Life Study Bible
JOHN
Author: The Apostle John
Date: About A.D. 90
Theme: Practicing Hospitality Toward Genuine Christian Teachers
Key Words: Love, Truth
Author and Recipients. In both 2 and 3 John, the writer refers to himself as “the Elder,” suggesting that he was older than the other Christians and that his personal knowledge of the faith went back much further than theirs. The strongest evidence is that all three epistles of John were written by a common author. See Introduction to 2 John: Author and Recipients.
Nothing is known about “the beloved Gaius” beyond the warm tribute John pays to him in the address of this letter. Gaius was a common name in the Roman world, and the New Testament mentions a Gaius in Corinth (Rom. 16:23; 1 Cor. 1:14), in Macedonia (Acts 19:29), and in Derbe (Acts 20:4). There is no evidence for associating the Gaius of 3 John with any of these men. Evidently he was a leader in some church of Asia.
Date. John was aged both in years and experience when he wrote this letter in conjunction with 2 John near the end of his life, about A.D. 90.
Occasion and Purpose. Whereas in 2 John itinerant heretics were disturbing the faith of Christians, in this epistle genuine teachers of truth are making a circuit of the churches. In the previous letter John forbade hospitality toward the false teachers; here he encourages hospitality. However, Diotrephes, a domineering person in one of the churches, opposed the authority of John. In addition, he refused hospitality to the traveling missionaries and prohibited others from entertaining them, excommunicating them when they did. John wrote to encourage Gaius in his generosity and to rebuke Diotrephes for his uncharitable conduct.
Content. In fulfilling his purpose, John describes three personalities. The first is Gaius, who has demonstrated his Christian faith by his generous hospitality, even to strangers. The second is Diotrephes, whose selfish pride was disrupting the harmony of the fellowship. The third is Demetrius, whose life exemplified Christian fidelity and was worthy of imitation. These three men bear positive and negative witness to proper relationships among Christian brethren.
Personal Application. This letter portrays the church as a family united by bonds of love, with its members extending gracious hospitality toward one another. However, selfish ambition and factious jealousy imperil the church’s fellowship, and its members must guard against such attitudes and strive to maintain a loving relationship with each other.
Christ Revealed. The apostle presents Jesus as the Truth in whom we should walk. Devotion to Him motivates genuine teachers in their itinerant service (v. 7). The lives of Gaius and Demetrius exactly harmonized with the teaching of Christ, and gave strong witness to the power of His love. On the other hand, the attitude of Diotrephes shows a marked contrast to the true life in which Christ is to be first in everything.
The Holy Spirit at Work. The epistle does not directly refer to the Holy Spirit, but His ministry is apparent throughout its message, particularly in enabling believers to “walk in the truth” and empowering itinerant missionaries in their ministries. The fruit of the Spirit is evident in the lives of Gaius and Demetrius.
Jack W. Hayford, Spirit Filled Life Study Bible
