3 John 1

3 JOHN

To Gaius (1-14)

1 In John’s time, the name Gaius was very common. Three other men named Gaius are mentioned in the New Testament: one in Acts 19:29; another in Acts 20:4; and the third in Romans 16:23 and 1 Corinthians 1:14. Most scholars think that the Gaius to whom this letter was written is not one of the above three, but a fourth Gaius. Nothing else is known of this Gaius except what is written in this letter.

2-4 Pastors and preachers have great joy when they see their spiritual “children” walking in the truth, that is, walking in obedience to Christ. Let all church leaders and elders love and care for the members of the church as John did (see 2 John 4 and comment).

5-6 Gaius was known as ahospitable man. He repeatedly welcomed and helped traveling preachers of the Gospel. Many of them he had never even met before; they were like strangers to him (see Hebrews 13:2).

7-8 These traveling preachers had gone out to preach for the sake of the Name—that is, for the sake of Christ (see Acts 5:41; James 2:7). This is the Name that is above every other name (Philippians 2:9).

In John’s time, traveling preachers could not afford to stay in hotels. Therefore, they relied on the hospitality of believers wherever they went. They did not stay with pagans—that is, unbelievers, lest they be accused by unbelievers of preaching only for the sake of food and lodging. Thus the believers who offered hospitality to these traveling preachers were providing crucial help in the spreading of the Gospel. They were workers together for the truth.

In the same way, we also need to be always ready to help and support those who go out in Christ’s name to serve Him and to preach the Gospel (John 13:20). Some Christians are called by God to go out into the world to serve Christ; other Christians are called to stay at home and serve Christ by providing hospitality, support, and prayer for those who do go out. Thus all of us—whether we go or stay—are called to work together for the truth.

9 Diotrephes was a leader in the church that Gaius attended. Diotrephes rejected John’s authority. He wanted to keep all the authority for himself. He sought to be first. He had forgotten what Jesus said: “… many who are first will be last, and the last first” (Mark 10:31). This desire to exalt oneself has been a common temptation among church leaders of every generation (see Matthew 23:12: Mark 10:43-44).

10 Some brothers (traveling preachers) had gone to Diotrephes’ church, but Diotrephes had not welcomed them. Not only that, he expelled from the church those who did welcome them. Therefore, if John is able to come, he will expose Diotrephes’ arrogance and evil work.

11 See Ephesians 5:1-2; 1 John 2:29; 3:6,10 and comments.

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.