by Samuel E. Ward
Introduction
Dr. Thomas Constable of Dallas Theological Seminary writes this concerning this postcard letter, 3rd John:
Third John is probably the most personal letter in the New Testament. Most of the epistles originally went, of course, to churches or groups of Christians. First and 2 John are both of this type. The Pastoral Epistles, while sent to specific individuals, namely, Timothy and Titus, were obviously written with a wide circulation in mind as well. Philemon, too, gives evidence that Paul intended its recipient to share it with the church that met in his house. Third John also has universal value, and the early Christians recognized that it would benefit the whole Christian church. However the content of this letter is most personal.
It is generally accepted that the Apostle John wrote this letter at or near the same time as 1st and 2nd John. This means that he had probably been released from the isle of Patmos, from which he wrote the book of the Revelation, and was ministering as an elder in Ephesus . The date for its writing is set some time between 90-95 A. D. So, John was an elder in two senses of the usage of the word in the New Testament. He was an elder in chronological age and one as a leader in the church. Since by this time he is also the last surviving member of the original twelve apostles, he only needed to designate himself in 3 John 1 as . . . ..
3 John 1a (NIV) 1The elder,
This letter concerns itself with three individuals who were members of the same church: Gaius, Diotrophes, and Demetrius. In this epistle, John brings two commendations (one at the beginning and one at end of the letter) and one condemnation (in the middle of the letter).
While this letter is about three individuals contemporary to John's time, the issues dealt with are timeless and still represent what is in churches today. For this reason they are worthy of our attention so we can imitate the righteous values it commends and avoid the unrighteous attitudes it condemns.
The letter opens with a commendation of one we will designate as a . . .
I. Dear Friend: Gaius, 3 John 1-8
There are only two passages in the New Testament that speak of a Gaius. If they are all the same Gaius, then he may have provided hospitality to Paul's missionary team and the church in Rome for a time (Rom 16:23). It is also possible that it is this Gaius who is one of only two people that Paul had ever baptized personally (1 Cor 1:14). Everything that follows in this letter fits the kind of person whom Paul knew as Gaius.
A. He Was Loved in the Truth by John, 3 John 1b
3 John 1:1b (NIV) 1b To my dear friend Gaius, whom I love in the truth.
We might find lots of reasons to love someone, but is there any love that is deeper than that which is between Christian friends other than that which exists between Christian spouses? A certain passage comes to mind.
Prov 17:17 (NIV) A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
B. He Was Prayed for by John, 3 John 2
3 John 1:2 (NIV) 2Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.
C. He Was Encouraging to John, 3 John 3-4
3 John 1:3-4 (NIV) 3It gave me great joy to have some brothers come and tell about your faithfulness to the truth and how you continue to walk in the truth. 4I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
What encouraged John about Gaius was his faithfulness in his walk in the truth of the gospel. He didn't just "talk it," he "walked it." He was true to the truth.
D. He Was Commended by John, 3 John 5-8
Gaius loved missions and missionaries.
1. He provided faithfully for them though they were strangers, 3 John 5.
3 John 1:5 (NIV) 5Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers, even though they are strangers to you.
This reminds us of Paul's commendation of a man named Gaius in Rom 15.
2. He was well-spoken of in their reports concerning his love, 3 John 6.
3 John 1:6 (NIV) 6They have told the church about your love. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God.
3. He was properly concerned for their mission and its purpose, 3 John 7.
3 John 1:7 (NIV) 7It was for the sake of the Name that they went out, receiving no help from the pagans.
4. He was right in showing hospitality to them as a partner in the mission of sharing the truth, 3 John 8.
3 John 1:8 (NIV) 8We ought therefore to show hospitality to such men so that we may work together for the truth.
As faithfully supportive of the Lord's work as Gaius was, there was one in the church who opposed it with equal vigor. Consider the . . .
II. Divisive Member, Diotrophes, 3 John 9-10
A. He Loved His Prominence More than the Truth, 3 John 9.
3 John 1:9 (NIV) 9I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will have nothing to do with us.
This is quite contrary to what Jesus and Paul said was to be the character of a Christian.
1. Jesus said,
Mat 23:11-12 (NIV) The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
Mark 9:35 (NIV) Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all."
2. Paul said,
Rom 12:3 (NIV) For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you . . .
Rom 12:10 (NIV) Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.
B. He Practiced Sharing Gossip Rather than the Gospel, 3 John 10a.
3 John 1:10a (NIV) 10a So if I come, I will call attention to what he is doing, gossiping maliciously about us.
1. Gossip was condemned by the Law of the Old Testament.
(Lev 19:16 NIV) "'Do not go about spreading slander among your people.
2. Gossip is characterized by . . .
a. Sharing someone else's secrets,
(Prov 11:13 NIV) A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret.
b. Hypocrisy
(Psa 28:3 NIV) Do not drag me away with the wicked, with those who do evil, who speak cordially with their neighbors but harbor malice in their hearts.
c. Associations
Prov 17:4 (NIV) A wicked man listens to evil lips; a liar pays attention to a malicious tongue.
d. Jealousy
(Acts 13:45 NIV) When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and talked abusively against what Paul was saying.
(2 Cor 12:20 NIV) For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be. I fear that there may be quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder.
C. He Refused to Welcome Missionaries, Choosing Rather to Oppose Them,
3 John 10b.
3 John 1:10b (NIV) 10b Not satisfied with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers.
D. He Prohibited Others from Helping and Caused Them to Leave the Church,
3 John 10c.
3 John 1:10c (NIV) 10c He also stops those who want to do so and puts them out of the church.
What should have happened is that the one who was causing people to leave the church should have been expelled themselves for dishonoring God's people.
Let the world judge its own, but the church must judge itself when wickedness occurs.
1 Corinthians 5:12-13 (NIV) 12What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? 13God will judge those outside. "Expel the wicked man from among you."
There was, thankfully, one other in the church who could serve as a good example to other believers. This one was a . . .
III. Dedicated Brother, Demetrius, 3 John 11-12
A. Demetrius' Righteousness Was a Contrast to Diotrophes' Wickedness,
3 John 11.
3 John 1:11a,b (NIV) 11a Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God.
1. Demetrius was John's example of one walked in truth, 3 John 12.
3 John 1:12 (NIV) 12Demetrius is well spoken of by everyone—and even by the truth itself. We also speak well of him, and you know that our testimony is true.
2. Diotrophes was John's example of one who walked in his own way and "bullied" others to submit to it, 3 John 11a.
3 John 1:11a (NIV) 11a Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil
Proverbs says of such men:
Proverbs 14:12 (NIV) 12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.
Proverbs 21:29 (NIV) 29 A wicked man puts up a bold front, but an upright man gives thought to his ways.
B. Anyone Who Uses Wicked Means to Promote Their Own Agenda Has No Seen God, 3 John 11c.
3 John 1:11c (NIV) 11c Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.
IV. Closing, 3 John 13-14
3 John 1:13-14 (NIV) 13I have much to write you, but I do not want to do so with pen and ink. 14I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face.
Peace to you. The friends here send their greetings. Greet the friends there by name.
Application to Life
1. Those who support missionaries and ministers of the gospel with hospitality and provisions are among the most valued saints in the church. They are not to be competed with for other's affections, but given their rightful appreciation for their willingness to serve. In the church, there is plenty of love to go around because the supply of love is as unlimited as the love of God Himself. Gaius was a man who loved the truth and anyone connected with spreading it. This should be the attitude of us all who name the Name of Christ.
2. One of the most dangerous situations a church can face is what to do with a gossip? The potential they have to destroy the work is beyond our ability to measure. Sometimes they are secret in their work while others our open. Both are destructive to the goal of unity. The issues they use to divide most often have nothing to do with biblical concerns, but stem from jealousy or their fear of the loss of status. This appears to be case with Diotrophes. We should obey the scriptures to always "honor one another above [ourselves]." (Rom 12:10)
3. The higher calling of the Christians is to be like Christ. Demetrius knew the truth of
Christ and made it his life's goal to be like Him. We are also to be like-minded. | 
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