Here are some common questions people have about the book of 3 John in the Bible and what it teaches us:
Who wrote 3 John?
3 John was written by the apostle John, the same author of the gospel of John and 1 and 2 John. The author identifies himself simply as “the elder” in 3 John 1:1, which was a title John used for himself in 2 and 3 John. The writing style and themes are also similar to John’s other writings.
When was 3 John written?
Most scholars believe 3 John was written between A.D. 85-95, likely around the same time as John’s other letters. The exact date is uncertain, but it was probably written toward the end of John’s life when he was old and referred to himself as “the elder.”
What is the purpose of 3 John?
John’s purpose in writing 3 John appears to be threefold:
1. To commend and encourage Gaius for his hospitality and faithfulness (3 John 1-8). John affirms Gaius for his commitment to care for fellow believers and travelers.
2. To condemn Diotrephes for his pride and refusal to welcome other brothers (3 John 9-10). John calls out Diotrephes for loving to be first and not acknowledging John’s authority.
3. To confirm Demetrius as a man of good testimony (3 John 12). John recommends Demetrius as faithful in both word and deed.
So the letter both commends good behavior and condemns prideful disobedience in the church.
What are the major themes in 3 John?
Some of the major themes in 3 John include:
– Hospitality and generosity – John commends Gaius for welcoming and supporting fellow believers.
– Truth and faithfulness – John affirms those who walk in truth and calls out those spreading falsehood.
– Humility vs. pride – Diotrephes is rebuked for his pride, while Gaius is praised for his humility in serving others.
– Discernment of character – John distinguishes between good (Gaius, Demetrius) and bad (Diotrephes) examples in the church.
– Proper use of authority – Diotrephes is condemned for misusing his authority and not acknowledging apostolic oversight.
– Walking in love – The emphasis on hospitality and care for fellow believers highlights the importance of Christlike love.
How is 3 John related to 1 and 2 John?
While all three letters have some distinct emphases, there are some close connections between the three epistles of John:
– They are all attributed to John and share similarities in style, vocabulary, and theology.
– All three focus on themes like truth vs. error, light vs. darkness, love vs. hate.
– Key topics like obeying God’s commands, love for fellow believers, and testing false teachers are covered in all three letters.
– 2 John and 3 John have a similar format as personal correspondence to specific recipients (the “chosen lady” and Gaius).
– All three likely date from the same period late in John’s life.
So 3 John shares common themes and backgrounds with John’s other epistles, while still covering some unique subject matter.
How is 3 John organized and outlined?
3 John has a simple structure and outline:
I. Opening Greeting ( verses 1-4)
II. Commendation of Gaius (verses 5-8)
III. Condemnation of Diotrephes (verses 9-11)
IV. Affirmation of Demetrius (verse 12)
V. Closing Farewell (verses 13-15)
The most significant sections are John’s commendation of Gaius and condemnation of Diotrephes, which take up the bulk of this short letter. The ending and opening function as bookends of encouragement to frame the main message.
Who was Gaius?
Gaius was a common Roman name, so the exact Gaius mentioned in 3 John is uncertain. But from John’s description, we can learn:
– He was a beloved friend of the apostle John.
– He was commended for his generosity and hospitality, especially towards traveling ministers.
– He apparently hosted and supported a number of missionary preachers.
– His actions demonstrated his faithfulness to the truth.
– John appreciated his charitable service and wished him well physically and spiritually.
While we can’t be certain, some think this Gaius could be the same convert of Paul mentioned in 1 Corinthians 1:14 and Romans 16:23.
Who was Diotrephes?
Diotrephes was a man in the local church who:
– Loved to be first and have preeminence (3 John 9).
– Refused to welcome the brothers John sent, expelling some from the church (10).
– Spread malicious and false charges against John and other believers (10).
– Did not acknowledge John’s apostolic authority over the churches (9).
So Diotrephes was characterized by pride, ambition, and rebellion. He sought control in the church and abused his leadership position.
What should we learn from Diotrephes?
The bad example of Diotrephes provides some important lessons:
– Pride and loving preeminence often leads to abuse of authority and harm in the church.
– Rejecting apostolic teaching and oversight is dangerous.
– Slander and false accusations divide the church.
– Protecting power and position often overrides care for people.
– Speaking against faithful believers displeases God.
Diotrephes highlights the importance of humility, truth, unity, and love over selfish ambition in church leadership.
Who was Demetrius?
Far less is said about Demetrius than Gaius or Diotrephes, but we can gather:
– John gave him a good testimony, so he was probably a member of the local church.
– Both John and the church spoke well of him, meaning he had a good reputation.
– His life matched his profession – he practiced what he preached.
– He was likely commended as a counterexample to Diotrephes.
– His faithful example encouraged and challenged the church.
Demetrius illustrates the importance of integrity and living out our faith.
What examples should we follow in 3 John?
Some positive examples for believers include:
– Gaius’ hospitality – caring for traveling ministers and missionaries (5-8).
– Gaius’ faithfulness to the truth – his actions matched his beliefs (3,4).
– Demetrius’ good testimony from everyone (12).
– Demetrius’ faithful walk in both word and deed (12).
– John’s apostolic desire to see fellow believers doing well (2,4).
3 John commends sacrificial service, speaking truth, personal integrity, and caring Christian oversight.
What false examples should we avoid in 3 John?
The chief negative examples to avoid are:
– Diotrephes’ prideful love of preeminence (9).
– His selfish rejection of apostolic delegates and authority (9,10).
– His divisive slander and malicious speech against other believers (10).
– His inhospitable refusal to welcome fellow Christians (10).
– His expulsion of believers from the church (10).
Diotrephes models the kind of proud, selfish, divisive leadership that harms the church.
How does 3 John portray the importance of truth?
John emphasizes truth in several ways:
– He rejoices that Gaius’ conduct is “in the truth” (3,4). His life matches his beliefs.
– Diotrephes is accused of unjust actions against those who tell the truth (8,10).
– Demetrius has a good testimony from the truth itself (12), meaning he lived out the truth.
– John prays Gaius will prosper in truth just as his soul prospers (2). Spiritual and material prosperity come through truth.
– The truth “lives” in believers (2,3) and should guide all their actions.
For John, truth is the foundation for faithful living and spiritual prosperity.
What does 3 John teach about supporting ministries?
3 John provides a model for supporting Christian ministers and ministries:
– Gaius hosted missionary preachers sent out “for the sake of the Name” (7).
– He provided material support, welcoming them as “guests” (8).
– His generosity refreshed weary travelers advancing the gospel (5-8).
– John prayed those supporting ministries would prosper like their soul prospers (2).
– Diotrephes is rebuked for refusing to welcome these brothers (10).
So the church should care for those who sacrificially minister God’s Word, just as Gaius did.
How does 3 John portray the danger of loving preeminence?
John presents Diotrephes as a clear warning about the danger of ambition:
– He “loves to be first” among the believers (9).
– His pride leads to rejecting apostolic authority from John and expelling others from the church (9,10).
– He makes unjust accusations against John and faithful ministers (10).
– He is inhospitable and closes the church to those John sends (9,10).
– His arrogance divides and harms the church.
Diotrephes’ love of preeminence has devastating effects. Pride is poisonous in leadership.
How does 3 John depict faithful Christian leadership?
The book implies several qualities of faithful leadership:
– Humility – lack of selfish ambition, gentleness (vs. Diotrephes’ pride, 9-10).
– Oversight – caring for people’s spiritual welfare, like John does (2,6).
– Teachableness – submitting to apostolic authority (vs. Diotrephes, 9-10).
– Unity – welcoming all faithful believers (vs. Diotrephes dividing, 10).
– Truth – speaking and living honestly, not slandering (3,4,8,10,12).
– Love – caring more about people than position (vs. Diotrephes, 9-10).
3 John commends humble, loving service and condemns proud, selfish control.
What are some key verses in 3 John?
Some of the most significant verses include:
3 John 1-2 – John’s prayer and reason for writing.
3 John 3-4 – Commending Gaius’ faithful walk in truth.
3 John 5-8 – Praising Gaius for his hospitality.
3 John 9-10 – Condemning Diotrephes’ arrogance and division.
3 John 11 – Warning against evil and commending good.
3 John 12 – Affirming Demetrius’ good testimony.
3 John 13-14 – John’s desire to visit and speak face to face.
These verses help summarize the main themes and purposes of the letter.
How should we apply the lessons of 3 John today?
Some key applications of 3 John’s teachings include:
– Welcome and care for traveling ministers and missionaries, as Gaius did.
– Support ministries that spread the Word of God as we are able.
– Avoid selfish pride and ambition in church leadership.
– Reject slander and divisiveness in the church.
– Submit to godly leaders and apostolic authority.
– Live with integrity so our lives match our profession.
– Imitate godly examples like Gaius and Demetrius.
– Focus on loving one another through serving and giving.
The teachings of 3 John still offer much needed wisdom for the church today!