Study Notes Ed Underwood

3 John: Love and Power I have no greater joy than this: to hear that my children are living according to the truth.

(3 John 4)

The nine General Epistles point to the person and work of the resurrected Christ. They encourage Christians to cling to Him and exhort them to serve Him faithfully because He is the only source of life. Written primarily to persecuted Jewish Christians, the truths apply to every believer from every culture and in every age of church history.

John was with the apostles who were in Jerusalem (Acts 8:14), and Paul calls him one of the pillars of the church (Galatians 2:9). And then, for decades he’s not mentioned. Early Christian tradition tells us he left Jerusalem just before its destruction in A.D. 70 and headquartered in and around Ephesus. In his later years he wrote the Gospel of John and three epistles, probably as he was serving in Ephesus.

I believe Demetrius, a missionary John was commending to the churches under his influence, carried all three letters. John’s first letter was written to a group of churches in danger of following false teachers. His second letter is addressed to one of those churches (elect lady) and its members (her children) who are actually aiding and encouraging these false teachers. His third letter is to Gaius, a faithful leader of one of those churches.

Frustrated with a self-serving leader by the name of Diotrephes who resisted John’s instructions to support Demetrius and his team, John addresses faithful Gaius. His immediate purpose is to encourage Gaius and to make hospitality provisions for Demetrius. In just a few paragraphs John exposes the pride of Diotrephes by affirming the love of Gaius.

“This epistle presents one of the most vivid glimpses in the New Testament of a church in the first century.” (Charles C. Ryrie, The Third Epistle of John,” in The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, p. 1483) Third John is the most personal of all the letters in the New Testament, but its message is timeless and applies to every believer and every church: Brotherly love is the product of abiding in the truth.

The messages of 2 John and 3 John portray the relationship between love and truth. Truth and love cannot be separated, and pride and love cannot coexist:

The word “beloved” (NKJV) or “dear friend” (NET) introduces each of three sections in the body of Third John.

I. Christian love that abides in the truth is selfless, hospitable, and generous (3 John).

1. John is writing a personal letter to Gaius, whom he loves in truth (truly and according to the teachings of Christ and the apostles, 1). Gaius is either a disciple of John or a man in this church well known to John who has influence in the church Diotrephes is bullying (see below).

2. In order to encourage Gaius to receive his emissary, Demetrius, John affirms Gaius’s selfless and hospitable behavior and condemns the self-serving and ambitious behavior of Diotrephes—Gaius upholds the truth with love (2-12).

   1. Dear friend(2-4):John commends Gaius’s walk in the truth by praying a blessing.

a. John expresses the wish that Gaius may do as well physically as he is spiritually (2). b. John rejoices over his spiritual well being: Gaius is a man who lives out the truth (3-4).

3 John: True love is demonstrated in hospitality and giving!

1. Dear friend (5-10): John contrasts Gaius’s loving display of the truth to Diotrephes’s selfish desire for preeminence in the church.

   1. The proof that Gaius walks in the truth is his love for the brethren demonstrated in his hospitality and generous support for Christian workers sent by John from Ephesus, even those he had never met (5-8).

   2. The proof that Diotrephes only desires power is his refusal to receive John or his coworkers, his foolish and senseless verbal attacks on John, and his bullying of all that oppose him, even to the point of putting them out of the church (9-10).

2. Dear friend (11-12): John exhorts Gaius to do the good work expected of a child of God— receive and support Demetrius.

   1. Don’t follow Diotrephes’ evil ways, but continue in your good ways—sure proof that you, not Diotrephes are following God (of God=behavior expected from a child of God in John’s epistles, seen God is to be in His light, 1 John 3:6-10; 4:1-4; 6-7. There is nothing in this letter that causes us to conclude that Diotrephes either is or is not regenerate. Carnal leaders and unbelieving wolves preying on the flock display the same behaviors. 11).

   2. Receive and support Demetrius because of the good report I send (12).

C. Farewell (13-15): This letter is brief but necessary; I’m coming soon!

II. 3 JOHN AND YOU: Truth or Power? The difference is real and observable!

1. Power-broking “love” is conditional and self-serving. It is extended only to those who give them preeminence, can never be trusted, and should be resisted by all!

   1. How to identify a “Diotrephes” in the local church:

      1. They want to be “in charge.” Desiring preeminence is exactly the opposite of the Lord’s example (Philippians 2:7) and teaching (Mark 10:44) and usurps His rightful place in a local church (Colossians 1:18).

      2. They never stop talking about whatever and whoever upsets them. With unbelievable energy, they “prattle on” with malicious words and foolishly nonsensical arguments.

      3. They will actually try to throw those who disagree out of the church if they get the chance!

   2. How to relate to a “Diotrephes” in the local church:

      The leaders should confront them; the people should ignore them, and nobody should underestimate them!

2. Truth-abiding love is unconditional and selfless. It is extended to workers of the truth through hospitality and generous support, can be trusted, and should be honored by all.

1. How to identify a “Gaius” in the local church: a. They want to lead, but they do not have to have their way. b. They are known for their hospitality and generosity, especially for Christian workers.

2. How to relate to a “Gaius” in the local church: Honor them and follow them!