3 John - Chapter 1

The Apostle John commends Gaius and his hospitality toward traveling teachers. He also gives examples of a bad and good leader in the church.

3rd John - Chapter 1

1 The Elder, To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth:

The Apostle John, elder over the seven churches in Asia Minor is writing a special letter to Gaius. Nothing is known of Gaius, other than some scholars refer to him as the pastor of Pergamum. As this letter progresses, we will see that this letter may have been a letter of discipline.

According to the warm opening, the apostle was very fond of Gaius and began this letter by giving him complements.

2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. KJV

Because this verse is often taken out of context and used in the pulpit for prosperity messages to gain wealth, I looked the verse up on Greek to gather its true meaning. In other words, what is the plain meaning of the text as the Apostle John wrote it.

This verse in Greek:

Beloved (G27 - dearly, well beloved),
I wish (G2172 - pray to God)
that above (G4012 - about, through all over, with respect to)
all things (G3956 - all, any, always, whole) , about with respect to)
that though mayest prosper (G2137 - to help on the road in your journey, succeed in reaching)
and be in health (G5198 - have sound health, that is, be well (in body); fuguratively to be uncorrupted (true in doctrine)
even as (G2531 - according to just (or inasmuch) as, that)
even as thy soul (G5590 - heart, breath, spirit (the heart is the soul and the spirit combined)
Prospereth (G2137 succeed in reaching)

This well-known scripture verse tells us that the apostle was praying over Gaius, whom he loved, that the prosperity in his life and his physical health would be proportionate with his spiritual health. In other words, the more his spiritual life was developed, the greater the apostle prayed for Gaius' prosperity in soul/spirit and body, as he walked in divine health.

This is a wonderful scripture verse to pray over other believers.

As we grow and develop in our faith, the more we will understand the teachings of the Word of God. We will become more sensitive to the voice of the Holy Spirit, receive and apply more wisdom, and the more we will prosper in all areas in our life, including walking in divine health. Just this alone should encourage us to grow and develop our faith in the Lord.

3 For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth.

Again, the apostle was so pleased that Gaius is living according to the Word of God - growing in his faith, and trusting in the Lord as God used him to minister out to others. Gaius was living out God's truth.

4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

How it pleased the old apostle when he heared when believers were growing in the Lord and walking according to the truths of the Word of God. In the same way, God is pleased when His children are daily walking in the truths of His Word.

I remember a time when I was able to connect with my childhood youth director who led me to the Lord when I was 13 years old. It has been close to 50 years since I had any contact with him. As soon as we opened up in conversation, and I told him that he led me to the Lord, he immediately asked me: "Are you still living for Jesus?" When I told him "yes," and that I was a pastor, he was so thrilled to know that someone whom he had led to the Lord was still growing and walking in the truths of the Word of God.

This is how I see the Apostle John on how he felt about Gaius, one of his disciples, as he was living faithfully for the Lord. He wished and prayed God's best over and for him.

Gaius Commended for Generosity

5 Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the brethren and for strangers, 6 who have borne witness of your love before the church. If you send them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God, you will do well, 7 because they went forth for His name’s sake, taking nothing from the Gentiles. 8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we may become fellow workers for the truth.

Again, the apostle is commending Gaius for his kindness toward other believers and even traveling teachers. The apostle is encouraging Gaius and his congregation to continue to show hospitality toward those who come to his church to teach the Word of God.

In the last letter the Apostle John wrote to the elect lady and his church, there were those who were deceivers, teaching false doctrine. The apostle dealt entirely different to her and her congregation.

With Gaius, it seems to be just the opposite. Here, he is encouraging traveling teachers; whereas, with the elect lady and her church, the apostle was warning them against traveling teachers.

Diotrephes and Demetrius

9 I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us. 10 Therefore, if I come, I will call to mind his deeds which he does, prating against us with malicious words. And not content with that, he himself does not receive the brethren, and forbids those who wish to, putting them out of the church.

There was one person; however, who was causing harm to the Body of Christ. It appears he was part of Gaius' congregation, although we do not know that for certain.

The Apostle John condemns the behavior of a man named Diotrephes. This man was more concerned with power and prestige than truth. He was malicious, proud, controlling, and ungracious toward those who didn't agree with him. He refused to acknowledge the leadership of other godly people and simply wanted to be the one and only leader. In doing so, he even forced certain leaders out of the church - anyone who threatened him. Something needed to be done with Diotrephes before matters got any worse.

It appears this may have been the purpose of this letter - to tell Gaius, as its pastor, to do something about the behavior of this man. The Apostle John, as the elder over all the churches in Asia Minor, had already written to the church; however, it appears that Diotrephes stepped in and took over. The apostle also gives indication that he would like to come to them and confront Diotrephes face-to-face.

11 Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God.

The Apostle John considered the behavior of Diotrephes evil, meaning the behavioral characterics of mallace, pride, control, and unkindness is evil in the sight of God. What the apostle is saying to Gaius and to us is that we are to be aware of those who want preeminence in the church, reject those who are malicious gossips, and reprove those who reject righteous ministries because of envy and jealousy.

12 Demetrius has a good testimony from all, and from the truth itself. And we also bear witness, and you know that our testimony is truth.

Demetrius, on the other hand, as the Apostle John points out, was a good man, having a good reputation. He displayed the fruit of the Spirit in his behavior. His reputation was known among everyone who knew or heard of him. He needed to be honored as such. It appears that the apostle is telling Gaius to lean on Demetrius as they both confront Diotrophes together on his behavior.

The Sandwich Approach Toward Discipline

What the Apostle John is doing here is a perfect example on how to apply discipline. In this case, it was within the church.

First - The apostle gave Gaius a compliment, giving him encouragement on his growth and leadership.

Second - The apostle then presented the problem - in this case - Diotrephes who needed strong and immediate discipline to stop his destructive behavior within the church.

Third - The apostle gave Gaius encouragement in that another leader (Demetrius) within the church could come alongside him in the discipline of Diotrephes.

Lastly - If this matter wasn't settled, the apostle himself may have to come out and take care of the problem.

Farewell Greeting

13 I had many things to write, but I do not wish to write to you with pen and ink; 14 but I hope to see you shortly, and we shall speak face to face. Peace to you. Our friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.

Often the Apostle John finished his letter by saying that he hoped he would be able to visit them in person - maybe even confront Diotrephes.

The apostle sent his greetings of peace, and exchanged greetings..

Written by Pastor Joyce A. Erickson

Believers Bible School, Founder https://believersbibleschool.com/