III John

Walking in Truth and Love

III John was specifically written to Gaius, of whom nothing specific is known.

• This was a common Roman name – c

o Could have been Gaius of Corinth who hosted Paul as well as the church (Ro. 16:23);

o or of Macedonia who was a traveling companion of Paul when the city rushed upon them in Ephesus shouting “great is Diana” (Ac. 19:29);

o or of Derbe who accompanied Paul as he set out for Asia (Ac. 20:4);

o He was most likely a convert of John’s (v. 4 – ‘my children’); or none of these.

• As with II John, this book is also under 300 words in length, more typical of a personal letter.

Two Commendations and One Condemnation –

1. Exhortation of Gaius – v. 1-8 – what we learn about him from these verses:

• He was well beloved by John. He was kind, generous, and hospitable.

• John loves Gaius and wishes him well. Wishing the recipient of a letter well was a common practice during the first century.

o John sincerely prayed for Gaius’ physical health as well as his emotional and spiritual health.

• Commendation Given – v. 3-8

o Faithful testimony of walking in the Truth of the Gospel – v. 3-4

 Ps. 103:17-18 – The mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children’s children, to such as keep His covenant, and to those who remember His commandments to do them.

 Leaders need to steadfastly fear the Lord – this is where wisdom begins,

 Keep His covenant – Ro. 11:27 – For this is My covenant with them, when I take away their sins [ungodliness – v.26]

 Remember and do His commandments

• Hospitality encouraged – v. 5

o Bore witness of His love for others.

o Hospitality to strangers in their time of need –

 Heb. 13:1-2 – Let brotherly love continue. Do not forget to entertain strangers; for in doing so some have unwittingly entertained [received; hosted] angels.

 Mt. 25:35-36 – for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.

 Attending to the needs of others is as though you also do it to the Lord Jesus.

• Gaius Spread the Gospel by training and sending others out. – v. 6-8

o Took the time to speak into their lives.

o Well-done good and faithful servant – in reproducing “fellow workers for the truth.”

Condemnation – Diotrephes – v.9-11

• Diotrephes was arrogant, autocratic, domineering.

o Diotrephes hindered the Gospel by these character traits and attitudes.

• Leaders need to be subordinate to the Lord and other trusted leaders, which Diotrephes was not.

o He sought preeminence thereby rejecting other leaders. He was full of self-importance and demanded the those of his church think of him as the ultimate leader. – v. 9

o John intended to have a needed confrontation with this leader – v. 10

 Perhaps Diotrephes had been given his leadership role by John over the church.

 John held that he had authority to speak correction into this man, speaking to him about specific ‘deeds which he does.’

 Prating [talking nonsense] against us with malicious words.

 Discontent with just talking words to convince others of his own slanted view.

 Rejects other ministers who hold equal or greater authority to himself.

 Forbids others from receiving God-send Good News through their ministries by hindering their acceptance of anyone but himself.

• Believers must be willing to receive the brethren and show hospitality.

• Any leader who desires to have the pre-eminence will by his deed bring himself under divine discipline!

o Rev. 3:19 As many as I love – phileo – I rebuke and chasten. Therefore, be zealous and repent.”

• John did not accuse him of false teaching, but of prideful unloving leadership.

o V. 11 – Imitate what is good, not evil (not what is harmful and condemning).

o Good here is anything that builds faith, honors others, and honors the Lord.

Commendation – v.12-14

• Demetrius – well-reported of by having a good testimony from all who knew him.

o Commendable for his godly character, but also for bearing witness of the Truth itself.

o Our testimony to those around us should always involve our knowledge and walking out the Truth of the scriptures.

 Our lives should match our message!

• Demetrius adorned the Gospel by the way he conducted his life and interactions with people.

o By comparison, for Diotrephes there was no service because there was no Love.

o Christianity is a practical walk - in truth and love.

o Our lives are described as book read by those who are observing us in:

 II Cor. 3:1-3 – Do we begin again to commend ourselves? Or do we need, as some others, epistles of commendation to you or letters of commendation from you? You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men. Clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is of the heart.

Conclusion: - Let’s be a book worthy of being read by all those around us for the glory and honor of God and the unity of the Spirit in Christ Jesus.