S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries

Author:  The Book of 3 John does not directly name its author. The tradition from the earliest days of the church has been that the apostle John is the author. There have been occasional doubts rai...

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November 15 2013 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

What is the Book of 3 John?

The Book of 3 John is the shortest in the Bible, a brief personal letter from "the elder" (traditionally the Apostle John) to a Christian leader named Gaius, praising his hospitality to missionaries but warning against the self-centred Congregation leader Diotrephes, who refused to help. It encourages Gaius to support travelling ministers like Demetrius and walk in truth and love, highlighting themes of faithfulness, hospitality, and Christian conduct. 

Main Message:

1: Commendation: Praises Gaius for his faithfulness and love in supporting missionaries.

2: Warning: Addresses Diotrephes, who loves to be first and rejects John's messengers.

3: Exhortation: Encourages Gaius to continue showing hospitality to those who serve the truth, like Demetrius, and to walk in God's ways.

4: Themes: Christian hospitality, truth, faithfulness, humility, leadership, and fellowship in the gospel. 

3 John is a practical guide for Christian living, emphasising the importance of supporting God's servants and rejecting prideful, divisive leaders. 

Key Verses: 

3 John 1:4: "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth".

3 John 1:11: "Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God."

The letter offers a fascinating glimpse into the close international brotherhood of early Christians. Among other things, this included the custom of hospitably receiving those travelling in the name, although these might not be personally known to their hosts.​—3 Jo Vs. 7.

The Apostle John shows himself to be an exemplary overseer in his zeal to safeguard the congregation against contaminating influences. The spirit of love and hospitality that permeated the congregation was commendable, and indeed it was their obligation to preserve this happy condition, so that the local brothers and "strangers" (individuals formerly unknown to their Christian host) who came among them might serve together as "fellow workers in the truth." (Vss. 5, 8)

Lesson for all of us: We should be just as zealous today for maintaining humility, walking in the truth, and practising godly love and generosity, in line with the principle stated by John: "He that does good originates with God. He that does bad has not seen God."​—3 John 11.

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