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CHAPTER 64 – 3 John: Approx. 94 A.D.

The Third Epistle of John is the sixty-fourth book of the Bible. The title of the book in Greek is Ioannou G meaning “of John 3.” The title in English Bibles is “The Third Epistle of John.”

Authorship

John, a disciple of Jesus Christ, whom Christ chose as an apostle, is the author of the book, The Third Epistle of John. It was probably written about 94 A.D.

Summary and Analysis

The book of 3 John is actually a letter (epistle) that was written by the apostle John in his old age to a Christian man, and there is no clear evidence of the location from which it was written.

The book opens with a greeting from John to a man named Gaius whom John loves because Gaius lives in accordance with God’s truth. John then wishes Gaius prosperity and good health. John says he rejoiced greatly when other church members came to John and told him of Gaius’ exemplary Christian life.

John then expresses approval of Gaius’ hospitality to the church members and to strangers, who, in turn, have testified to the church of Gaius’ love toward them. For, John says, if Gaius helps these on their journeys in a godly manner he does well. These people, John says, went out into the world for Christ’s sake, not taking any financial support from the unbelievers to whom they preached the gospel. Therefore, the church should hospitably receive such persons in order that, John, and themselves might be their fellow Christian workers.

Next, John says, he wrote to the church but Diotrephes who loves to hold the highest position in the church did not recognise nor accept John’s authority in the church. Therefore, John says, if I come to visit the church, I will remember his deeds wherein he speaks unjustifiably against us with malicious words. And, not content with this only, he does not hospitably receive the travelling evangelists of the church, forbids those who would do so, and even expels those who do so from church membership.

John then urges Gaius not to follow Diotrephes’ evil example, but instead to follow that which is good. For those who do good belong to God, but those that do evil do not know God. John then points to Demetrius, of whom everyone reports good things, especially saying that his life is in accordance with God’s truth. And, in addition, John and his fellow Christian workers, also recommend Demetrius as a good Christian, and Gaius knows, John says, that John and his fellow workers are speaking the truth.

John closes his letter by saying that he has many things to write to Gaius, but he will not now write them with paper and ink. For John hopes to see Gaius shortly and speak to him face-to-face. John then blesses Gaius, sends greetings from their mutual friends, and asks Gaius to greet the Christian friends in the church by name.

Themes

• The love between a leader of the Christian church and one of its members.
• The good report of the godly life of some church members.
• The hospitality of church members.
• The abuse of authority and evil deeds of a church leader.
• Godly, travelling evangelists of the Christian church.

God as Revealed in the Book

• God whose truth is a guide for Christian living.
• God who requires Christians to be hospitable.
• God who condemns the abuse of authority and evil deeds.
• God who sends out evangelists into the world.

Connections with the Rest of the Bible

God’s requirement of leaders in the Christian church is as follows: “Feed the flock of God [the church members] which is among you [with good spiritual food from the word of God, the Bible], taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre [not for dishonest gain], but of a ready mind [with eagerness]; Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples [godly examples] to the flock [to the church]. And when the chief Shepherd [Jesus Christ] shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.” 1 Peter 5:2-4.

Spiritual Applications

Pray to God sincerely and ask God to help you to do His will, believing that God will help you, and thus you will be enabled to make the spiritual applications noted below:

• Let there be true Christian love between yourself and leaders in the church.
• Be among those Christians of whom there is a good report of your godly life.
• Know that God requires Christians to be hospitable.
• Show hospitality to others as a Christian, especially to church members.
• Know that God condemns all abuse of authority and evil deeds.
• Do not abuse your authority and do evil deeds as a church leader, and if you are not a church leader, do not follow the evil example of any such church leader.
• Be a godly, travelling evangelist in the Christian church if God calls you to fill this role in the church.
• Let God’s truth be your guide in Christian living.

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