3 John
⚡ Quick Facts
Book Overview
Author: "The Elder" - John the Apostle Date of Writing: Approximately 85-95 AD Historical Context: Conflict over authority and hospitality in the church Original Audience: Gaius, a faithful believer and church leader Purpose: To commend Gaius for showing hospitality and address Diotrephes' opposition to John's authority Genre: Epistle; personal letter
One-Sentence Summary
Practice Christian hospitality and support gospel workers, imitating good not evil, as demonstrated by faithful Gaius versus proud Diotrephes.
Book Structure
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Greeting and Commendation of Gaius (verses 1-4)
- Joy in Gaius's faithfulness
- Walking in the truth
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Gaius's Hospitality Praised (verses 5-8)
- Supporting traveling teachers
- Co-workers in the truth
-
Diotrephes's Pride Condemned (verses 9-10)
- Loves to be first
- Rejects apostolic authority
- Malicious gossip
-
Demetrius Commended (verses 11-12)
- Good testimony from all
- Imitate what is good
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Closing Remarks (verses 13-14)
- Hope for face-to-face visit
📖 Chapter-by-Chapter Outline
✨ Key Verses
Essential passages that capture the heart of this book
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
Reveals the heart of spiritual leadership—finding deepest satisfaction in the spiritual faithfulness of fellow believers.
We ought therefore to show hospitality to such people so that we may work together for the truth.
Calls believers to support gospel workers through practical hospitality, making them partners in spreading truth.
I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not welcome us. So when I come, I will call attention to what he is doing, spreading malicious nonsense about us. Not satisfied with that, he even refuses to welcome other believers. He also stops those who want to do so and puts them out of the church.
Exposes the destructive nature of prideful leadership that seeks preeminence and rejects legitimate apostolic authority.
Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.
Establishes that actions reveal spiritual reality—imitation of good or evil demonstrates one's true relationship with God.
Memorization Tip: Choose one of these verses to memorize this week. Write it on a card and place it where you'll see it daily.
Key Verses
3 John 1:4 - "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth."
Significance: Reveals the heart of spiritual leadership—finding deepest satisfaction in the spiritual faithfulness of fellow believers.
3 John 1:8 - "We ought therefore to show hospitality to such people so that we may work together for the truth."
Significance: Calls believers to support gospel workers through practical hospitality, making them partners in spreading truth.
3 John 1:11 - "Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God."
Significance: Establishes that actions reveal spiritual reality—imitation of good or evil demonstrates one's true relationship with God.
Key Themes & Messages
Major Themes
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Christian Hospitality
- Gaius commended for welcoming traveling teachers
- Supporting those going out "for the Name"
- Showing hospitality to strangers doing gospel work
- Partnership in truth through practical support
-
Walking in Truth
- Joy that Gaius walks in the truth
- Truth lived out in daily life
- Greatest joy: children walking in truth
- Faith demonstrated through actions
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Contrasting Examples
- Gaius: faithful, hospitable, walking in truth (imitate good)
- Diotrephes: loves to be first, rejects authority, gossips, refuses hospitality (don't imitate evil)
- Demetrius: good testimony from everyone and from truth itself
-
The Problem of Diotrephes
- Loves to be first, seeks preeminence
- Refuses to welcome John's representatives
- Spreading malicious nonsense about John
- Puts people out of church who want to show hospitality
-
Doing Good
- Anyone who does what is good is from God
- Whoever does evil has not seen God
- Actions reveal spiritual reality
- Imitate what is good, not what is evil
Central Message
3 John is a personal letter commending Gaius for faithfully supporting traveling teachers despite opposition from Diotrephes, who seeks preeminence and rejects John's authority. The brief letter contrasts three individuals: hospitable Gaius, power-hungry Diotrephes, and well-testified Demetrius. John encourages imitating good rather than evil, supporting gospel workers through hospitality, and walking in truth. The epistle addresses church conflict over authority and shows that genuine faith produces generous support for gospel ministry, while pride seeks control and refuses legitimate authority.
🤔 Study & Discussion Questions
Reflect on these questions personally or discuss them with your study group
Understanding
- What are the contrasting characteristics of Gaius, Diotrephes, and Demetrius in this letter?
- Why is hospitality to traveling gospel workers emphasized so strongly in 3 John?
- What specific sins does John attribute to Diotrephes in verses 9-10?
- What does John mean by finding "no greater joy" than hearing his children walk in truth?
- How does 3 John address issues of church authority and leadership?
Application
- In what practical ways can you show hospitality and support to missionaries, pastors, and gospel workers?
- How can you partner with gospel workers to become "co-workers in the truth"?
- What are warning signs in your own heart of seeking to be "first" like Diotrephes?
- Which person in 3 John (Gaius, Diotrephes, or Demetrius) do you most resemble, and what needs to change?
- How can you actively imitate what is good rather than what is evil in your church context?
Reflection
- Do you find joy in other believers walking in truth, or are you more focused on your own spiritual progress?
- Are there ways you might be exhibiting Diotrephes' pride - loving to be first, controlling others, or rejecting authority?
- How generous are you in supporting gospel work financially and through hospitality?
- What kind of testimony or reputation do you have among fellow believers?
- How do you respond when your ideas or leadership are questioned - with humility or defensiveness?
Going Deeper
- What does 3 John reveal about church structure and authority in the apostolic age?
- How does the concept of "walking in truth" connect across all three of John's epistles?
- What principles for supporting gospel ministry can be drawn from 3 John for today's church?
- How does 3 John address the perennial problem of prideful leadership in the church?
- What does it mean that "anyone who does what is good is from God" - is John teaching works-based salvation?
📚 How to Use These Questions
Personal Reflection
Journal your thoughts and answers. Be honest about areas where you struggle or questions you have.
Group Discussion
Share different perspectives and learn from others' insights. Listen actively and ask follow-up questions.
Prayerful Meditation
Ask God to reveal truth through His Word. Let the questions lead you into deeper conversation with Him.
Practical Application
For Daily Living:
- Practice Hospitality: Look for opportunities to support missionaries, church planters, and traveling ministers - welcome them into your home and help their ministry (3 John 1:5-8)
- Support Gospel Workers: Financially and practically support those who go out for the sake of the Name, becoming co-workers in truth (3 John 1:7-8)
- Resist the Urge to Control: Guard against Diotrephes' attitude - seeking preeminence and controlling others damages the church (3 John 1:9)
- Imitate What is Good: When you see godly examples like Gaius or Demetrius, consciously model your behavior after theirs (3 John 1:11)
- Maintain Your Reputation: Let your actions earn a good testimony from everyone - live so that truth itself testifies about you (3 John 1:12)
For Spiritual Growth:
- Examine your heart for pride and the desire for preeminence - cultivate humility and servant leadership instead
- Find joy in other believers walking in truth, making their spiritual growth a source of personal delight (3 John 1:4)
- Develop generosity toward gospel work, recognizing that supporting ministry is partnership in spreading truth
- Choose your role models carefully - imitate those who demonstrate genuine faith through good deeds, not those who seek power (3 John 1:11)
Recommended Resources
Commentaries
Best Overall The Letters of John (Pillar New Testament Commentary) by Colin G. Kruse - Excellent treatment of hospitality and contrasting examples of Christian character.
For Beginners The Epistles of John (Tyndale New Testament Commentaries) by John Stott - Clear, accessible guide to practicing hospitality and imitating what is good.
For In-Depth Study 1, 2, and 3 John (NIV Application Commentary) by Gary M. Burge - Outstanding at applying John's teaching on hospitality and church leadership to contemporary situations.
Technical/Academic The Epistles of John (NIGTC) by I. Howard Marshall - Comprehensive scholarly treatment with careful attention to early church structure and conflicts.