ЁЯТа The Book of 3 John ЁЯМ┐
ЁЯТа The Book of 3 John — Walking in Truth with Love and Humility
ЁЯУЦ Overview
- Author: Apostle John
- Date Written: Around AD 85–95
- Place: Ephesus
- Audience: Gaius, a faithful Christian leader and friend of John
Purpose:
- To commend Gaius for his hospitality and faithfulness
- To rebuke Diotrephes for arrogance and rebellion
- To praise Demetrius for his good testimony
Key Verse:
ЁЯМ┐ Background
This letter provides a window into the life of the early church.
Traveling missionaries relied on local believers for food, housing, and financial support.
But some church leaders, like Diotrephes, refused to help — out of pride and control.
John wrote to commend Gaius, a generous believer, and to expose Diotrephes, who loved preeminence more than service.
ЁЯУЪ Structure of 3 John
| Section | Verses | Focus | Theme |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Greeting and Praise for Gaius | 1–8 | Faithful love and hospitality | Walk in truth |
| 2. Condemnation of Diotrephes | 9–10 | Pride and rebellion | Rejecting authority |
| 3. Commendation of Demetrius | 11–12 | Godly example | Good reputation |
| 4. Farewell and Blessing | 13–14 | Fellowship and peace | Personal encouragement |
✨ 1 Gaius — The Faithful Servant (v. 1–8)
John greets Gaius, calling him "beloved" four times — showing deep affection.
Gaius was known for:
- Walking in the truth (v. 3–4)
- Showing hospitality to traveling missionaries (v. 5–6)
- Supporting gospel work faithfully (v. 8)
John rejoices:
Gaius represents humility, love, and obedience — a true servant of Christ.
⚖️ 2 Diotrephes — The Arrogant Leader (v. 9–10)
John exposes a man named Diotrephes, who loved to be first and refused apostolic authority.
| Problem | Description |
|---|---|
| Pride | Wanted to control the church |
| Rebellion | Rejected John's authority |
| Slander | Spoke maliciously against true leaders |
| Exclusion | Expelled those who supported John's messengers |
This represents false leadership — prideful, controlling, and self-centered — the opposite of servant leadership.
ЁЯТО 3 Demetrius — The Good Example (v. 11–12)
John then highlights Demetrius, a man with a good reputation among believers.
John encourages:
Demetrius stands as an example of integrity, humility, and faithfulness — the opposite of Diotrephes.
ЁЯМИ 4 Closing Greetings (v. 13–14)
John ends warmly:
He blesses with peace:
A personal, family-like close — reflecting love and unity in the early church.
⚖️ Problems Addressed in 3 John
| # | Problem | Description | John's Solution | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lack of hospitality | Some refused to help missionaries | Commend and imitate Gaius | 1–8 |
| 2 | Abuse of authority | Diotrephes rejected John and oppressed others | Expose and correct arrogance | 9–10 |
| 3 | False reputation vs true witness | Some had influence, not integrity | Follow the example of Demetrius | 11–12 |
ЁЯМ┐ Key Characters
| Name | Role | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Gaius | Faithful believer | Hospitable, humble, generous |
| Diotrephes | Prideful leader | Power-hungry, rejects truth |
| Demetrius | True example | Godly reputation, respected |
ЁЯТм Famous Verses
- 3 John 2 — "Beloved, I pray that you may prosper and be in health, just as your soul prospers."
- 3 John 4 — "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth."
- 3 John 11 — "Do not imitate what is evil, but what is good."
ЁЯХ░️ Timeline Summary
ЁЯХК️ Spiritual Lessons
True greatness comes from humility and service.
Support those who preach and live the truth.
Reject pride, gossip, and control in leadership.
Imitate godly examples, not worldly power.
Faithfulness in small things brings great joy to God.
✨ Summary
The Book of 3 John is a personal, heartfelt message about faithfulness, leadership, and love in action.
It reminds believers that truth must be lived, not just taught, and that spiritual maturity is seen in humility and generosity.
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