Third John
In Third John or the apostle John’s third letter which is addressed to, “my dear friend Gaius,” he centers the letter around three men – Gaius, the example of one who follows Christ and loves others (verses 2-8); Diotrephes, the self-proclaimed church leader who does not reflect God’s values (verses 9-11); and Demetrius, who also follows the truth (verse 12). John encourages Gaius to practice hospitality, continue to walk in the truth and do what is right.
John wrote to commend Gaius, who was taking care of traveling teachers and missionaries and to warn against people like Diotrephes, who was proud and refused to listen to spiritual leaders in authority. If we are to live in the truth of the gospel, we must look for ways to support pastors, Christian workers, and missionaries today. All Christians should work together to support God’s work, both at home and around the world.
Although this is a personal letter, we can “look over the shoulder” of Gaius and apply its lessons to our lives. As you read Third John, with which man do you identify? Are you Gaius, generously giving to others? A Demetrius, loving the truth? or a Diotrephes, looking out for yourself and your “things”? Determine to reflect Christ’s values in your relationships, opening your home and touching others with his love.
Writer
Written by the apostle John, brother of the apostle James who was martyred in A. D. 42 by Herod Agrippa I (Acts 12:2).
Date Written
During the Great Scattering described in Acts 8-12 (A. D. 40’s). possibly written from Jerusalem, since the apostles were headquartered there during the Great Scattering.
To Whom Written
To “the elder unto the well-beloved Gaius,” John’s friend (3 John 1). Purpose: The purpose of the letter of Third John was to warn Gaius about deceivers. Apparently, John’s agents had been rejected and mistreated by a man named Diotrephes, one of the deceivers mentioned in First & Second John. Demetrius, John’s highly recommended agent, personally carried this letter to Gaius, so Diotrephes could not intercept it. John urged Gaius to do the right thing until he himself could come and deal with Diotrephes, no doubt with the sword that every apostle carried in the Acts period.
Purpose of Third John
The purpose of the letter of Third John was to warn Gaius about deceivers. Apparently, John’s agents had been rejected and mistreated by a man named Diotrephes, one of the deceivers mentioned in First & Second John. Demetrius, John’s highly recommended agent, personally carried this letter to Gaius, so Diotrephes could not intercept it. John urged Gaius to do the right thing until he himself could come and deal with Diotrephes, no doubt with the sword that every apostle carried in the Acts period.
Historical Setting of Third John
Third John has none of the usual features of an epistle: no salutation or identification of author; no greetings; and no references to persons, places, or events. Ironically, although its format is impersonal, like a sermon or a treatise, its tone is warm and personal. This suggests that it was written to a broad audience (probably in and around Ephesus) that was very dear to the author.
Theological Contribution of Third John
Like the Gospel of John, the epistles of John are built on the foundation blocks of love, truth, sin, world, life, light, and the Holy Spirit. The epistles of John emphasize the great themes of knowing, believing, walking, and abiding. The keystone in the arch of the gospel is that God has appeared in human form. The incarnation is life; and this life is available ion the Son of God, Jesus Christ. Fellowship with God is realized by knowing God and abiding in Him: joined to Him in righteousness, truth, and especially love.
Special Consideration in Third John
Many Christians wonder about John’s declaration, “Whoever abides in Him [Jesus Christ] does not sin” (3:6). This does not mean that if someone sins he is not a Christian. Indeed, in these epistles we are told that Christ came to forgive sins; and we are admonished to confess our sins to Him. The statement means that Christ has transferred us from death to life and has caused us to share in the nature of God. Consequently, we are no longer confined to darkness, because Jesus Christ has broken the power of sin in our lives.
Scripture Study Resources
ESV Study Bible – Study Bibles give you a deeper understanding of God’s Word with tools for life application like commentary, maps, charts, concordance, and study notes. Search our popular translations- NIV, ESV, NKJV, KJV and more!
Believer’s Bible Commentary: Second Edition – A Bible commentary is a written, systematic series of explanations and interpretations of Scripture. Commentaries often analyze or expound on individual books of the Bible, chapter by chapter and verse by verse. Some commentary works provide analysis of the whole of Scripture.
The New Strong’s Expanded Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible – The best concordance for word study! This exclusive new edition of a legendary classic puts generations of biblical research at your fingertips. A valuable tool for pastors, teachers, and students of the Bible.
Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words – This classic word study resource allows you to study the meaning of biblical words in the original languages without spending years learning Greek or Hebrew. A great resource for students, seasoned pastors, and anyone who enjoys biblical word studies–even if they have little to no formal training in Hebrew or Greek.
Halley’s Bible Handbook – The beloved and classic Bible companion has been thoroughly updated, while retaining its time-honored features and Dr. Halley’s highly personal style, to offer even greater clarity, insight, and usefulness.
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