3 John_Hospitality and encouragement
6/7/95
Reading
3 John
Questions
Greeting
1 The elder, to Gaius the beloved, whom I love in the truth. 2 Dear friend, I pray you may prosper concerning everything and be healthy, just as your soul prospers. 3 For I rejoiced exceedingly when the brothers came and testified to your truth, just as you are walking in the truth. 4 I have no greater joy than this: that I hear my children are walking in the truth.
Instructions to Gaius
5 Dear friend, you act faithfully in whatever you do for the brothers, even though they are strangers. 6 They have testified to your love before the church; you will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God. 7 For they have gone out on behalf of the name, accepting nothing from the pagans. 8 Therefore we ought to support such people, so that we become fellow workers with the truth.
Diotrephes causes trouble
9 I wrote something to the church, but Diotrephes, who wants to be first among them, does not acknowledge us. 10 Therefore, if I come, I will call attention to the deeds he is doing, disparaging us with evil words. And not being content with these, he does not receive the brothers himself, and he hinders those wanting to do so and throws them out of the church. 11 Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God.
How does John describe Diotrephes?5
What is Diotrephes attitude toward the John and apostolic band including missionaries [see v3]?6
What command does John give in v11? Can you think of applications in your own life and experience?7
Demetrius commended
12 Demetrius has been testified to by all, even by the truth itself. And we also testify to him, and you know that our testimony is true.
What sort of man is Demetrius?8
Conclusion and final greeting
13 I have many things to write to you, but I do not want to write to you by means of ink and pen. 14 But I hope to see you right away, and to speak face to face [lit. “mouth to mouth”]. 15 Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.
What do you see as applications of 1-3 John to your local church and the broader body of Christ?
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BibleProject Guide: The Books of 1-3 John
Gaius, a faithful church leader. The name was common in the Roman world to the other references to a Gaius in the NT [Acts 19:29, 20:4; Romans 16:23; 1 Corinthians 1:14] may not be the same man.
Spiritual health ["soul prospers"] material health and well-being. This is certainly a holistic approach in contrast to the Platonic worldview.
His hospitality to travelling missionaries.
John has a high Christology as did all the apostles. Thus Jesus=YHWH.
The Jews did not pronounce YHWH and substituted titles such as Adonai ["Lord"] or HaShem ["the Name"] when reading the Scriptures or praying. The Mishnah [Tamid 7:2] records that by the late Second Temple period only the high priest pronounced the divine name YHWH and only on Yom Kippur in the Holy of Holies. Rabbinic literature, such as the Talmud [Kiddushin 71a], confirm that the name was not spoken outside the Temple service, and even then, only by the high priest. The LXX, the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible produced during the Second Temple period, consistently substitutes κύριος for YHWH.
As one who "wants to be first among them" and rejects apostolic authority.
He slanders them with malicious words, refusing missionaries, and expelling the supporters of John.
“[D]o not imitate what is evil, but what is good.”
Perhaps you can think of godly behaviour you have witnessed and learnt from.
As one with a good reputation affirmed by “the truth itself”.