May 25th 2025 3 John
This epistle presents one of the most vivid glimpses in the New Testament of a church in the first century.
The characters, Gaius, Diotrephes, and Demetrius, are sketched with bold strokes of the apostle's pen.
Characteristics of church life are also clearly seen in the epistle.
The independence of the believers is outstanding, and their personalities, as well as their doctrinal problems, are patent. This brief and very personal letter shatters the notion that the state of things was ideal, or nearly so, in the first century.
V1 Elder. This was evidently the usual way John chose to introducehimself
The wellbeloved Gaius, Since Gaius was one of the most common names of the time, it is impossible to identify him with any other Gaius mentioned in the Bible
Beloved expresses the common sentiment that others shared about Gaius.
Whom I love in the truth expresses John's personal feelings about fellow believers.
V 2. Above all things. It refers to the whole sentence in general.
Prosper and be in health. here the sense is of sound physical health, as in Lk 5 v 31; 7 v 10; 15 v 27.
It may indicate that Gaius had been ill.
even as thy soul prospereth shows that prosper and be in health refer to temporal blessings, and this verse gives us the authority for praying for such, for our friends.
V 3. Brethren Came. not on one occasion but on several reports came.
The truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest . . . The brethren had repeatedly witnessed to Gaius' Christianity, as proved by his doctrine and his walk. The verse may also imply that Gaius had withstood some false teaching.
V 4. I have no Greater joy The result of these reports was that John might hear that his children were walking (as the habit of their lives) in truth.
Apparently, Gaius had been censured by some for his hospitality to strange brethren.
John approves of his actions and orders such hospitality as a Christian duty.
V 5. Beloved Thou doest faithfully, thou doest a faithful thing, or thou makest sure.
That is, any good done for or to the brethren will surely be rewarded (cf. Mt 26 v 10; Rev 14 v 13).
Hospitality will have its reward.
And to strangers. The addition of this phrase would indicate that this was the particular point for which Gaius was being taken to task
V 6 Which have borne witness. Those who had experienced Gaius' hospitality had testified of it before the church, probably at Ephesus, where John was.
Thou shalt do well. John urges Gaius to continue his good work.
Bring forward. See Acts 15 v 3; Tit 3 v 13, where the idea of supplying provisions for the journey is included.
V 7. Three reasons are given for hospitality. First, these brethren went forth for the sake of the Name, i.e., Jesus Christ (cf. Acts 5 v 41; Jas 2 v 7). Second, they took nothing off unconverted Gentiles. indicating that it was their practice to take nothing.
V 8. Third, through hospitality Christians can become fellow workers for the truth.
Ought. It is the right thing to do.
V 9.Unto the church. The church to which Gaius belonged. But its purpose had failed. as Diotrephes blocked it
Who loveth to have the preeminence among them. The word occurs nowhere else in the NT.
It implies proud ambition and the desire to promote personal authority.
"Perhaps the meaning is that Diotrephes meant to make his Church independent; hitherto it had been governed by S. John from Ephesus, but Diotrephes wished to make it autonomous to his own glorification"
Receiveth us not. That is, Diotrephes did not receive John's wishes in the matter of hospitality.
The unlikelihood that any Christian would have withstood the apostle's authority
It is thought to be unthinkable that a Christian would disregard the commandments of a genuine apostle
However, Paul's apostolic authority was often challenged
V 10 If I come. No doubt because of verse 14 (cf. I Jn 2 v 28 for similar).
I will remember. Bring these things to his notice and the notice ofothers.
Prating. (Used only here,) to talk nonsense.
With malicious words. Diotrephes' talk was both senseless and wicked. His actions included not being hospitable himself, forbidding those who would be, and casting them out of the church. Evidently, he had sufficient authority in the congregation to do this excommunicating, of whatever sort it was.
V 11. Beloved. Follow not that which is evil.,
Is of God. he is a child of God. He imitates his Master (Acts 10 v 38
Hath not seen God. Cf. I Jn 3 v 6. The question of hospitality is no longer the only specific matter in view, but doing good or evil in general and as the habit of one's life.
V 12. From the evil Diotrephes John turns to the good Demetrius. All we know of him we learn from this brief mention. It is guesswork that he is the same Demetrius, though now converted, of Acts 19 v 24. Demetrius' good testimony was witnessed to by three sources:
(1) all men, (2) the truth, that is, the standard of Christianity, and (3)John and those with him.
V 13. I had. referring to the time when he began the letter.
Pen., a reed, a writing implement.
V 14.. Peace be to thee, Ordinary blessing which was suitable either for a greeting or for a farewell.
Our Friends. It is a question whether John means his friends or Gaius'
By name. The salutation was to be given to each individual separately.
"St. John as shepherd of the Churches of Asia would imitate the Good Shepherd and know all his sheep by name"
News from the Church New dates
26th to 31st May….. History Week 9am to 6pm
June 4th…..Friendship Group, (this covers all ages and the lonely people)
18th June…. Knit and natter is a time to finish old projects or learn new skills
ANSWERS TO 11th May QUESTIONS
1) The Temple 2) Cana 3) Galilee 4) By the river in Philippi 5)Corinth 6) River Jordan 7) Bethany 8) Antioch 9) Tarsus 10) Philippi 11) Athens 12) Egypt 13) Jerusalem 14) On the road to Damascus 15) Bethlehem 16) Caesarea
Bible Quiz this week’s Quiz is the NEW TESTAMENT
1 Where did the Good Samaritan help the wounded man?
2 In which town did Jesus grow up?
3 From where did Saul escape over the wall in a basket?
4 Where was Dorcas brought back to life by Peter?
5 Where did Zaccheus live?
6 Where did Jesus talk to a woman by a well?
7 Where did Paul have a vision to go to Macedonia?
8 Jesus after His resurrection walked with 2 men on the road at where?
9 From where did Jesus ascend up to heaven?
10 Where was Paul being taken too, when he was involved in a shipwreck?
11 A man appeared to Paul in a dream what country was he from?
12 Where did Demetrius the silversmith come from?
13 Philip taught a man in a chariot in the desert, where did the man come from?
14 What was the name of the hill Jesus was crucified on?
15 What Island was Paul Shipwrecked on?
16 Where were Paul and Barnabus called Mercury and Jupiter?
God Bless