3 John 1

12 The Demetrius referred to in this verse is not mentioned elsewhere in the New Testament.¹ Perhaps it was Demetrius who delivered this letter to Gaius, in which case this verse would serve to introduce Demetrius to Gaius.

John writes here that Demetrius is well spoken of by everyone—and even by the truth itself. Here the truth means the Holy Spirit; the Holy Spirit Himself testifies that Demetrius walks in the truth (verses 3-4). And John also testifies concerning Demetrius. Because John is an apostle,² Gaius can have confidence that John’s testimony is reliable and true (John 21:24).

13-14 Here John repeats what he wrote to the “chosen lady” in 2 John 12.

Then, in his final greeting, John writes: The friends here send their greetings (verse 14). In the New Testament, the word “brothers” is usually used instead of friends. But John remembers the time when Jesus said to him and his fellow disciples: “I have called you friends” (John 15:15).

To be a friend of Jesus is the highest privilege a man or woman can have. But in order to be Jesus’ friend, we must obey Him. “You are my friends, if you do what I command” (John 15:14).

¹  A man named Demetrius is mentioned in Acts 19:24, but most scholars believe that that is a different man.

²  At the time John wrote this letter, he was the only one of the original apostles still alive.