3rd John Lesson Twelve
by Lane Rogers
You Walk in the Truth1The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth. 2Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers. 3For I was very glad when brethren came and testified to your truth, that is, how you are walking in truth. 4I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth. 5Beloved, you are acting faithfully in whatever you accomplish for the brethren, and especially when they are strangers; 6and 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. 7For they went out for the sake of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. 8Therefore we ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers with the truth. 9I wrote something to the church; but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, does not accept what we say. 10For this reason, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words; and not satisfied with this, he himself does not receive the brethren, either, and he forbids those who desire to do so and puts them out of the church. 11Beloved, 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. 12Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself; and we add our testimony, and you know that our testimony is true. 13I had many things to write to you, but I am not willing to write them to you with pen and ink; 14but I hope to see you shortly, and we will speak face to face. 15Peace be to you The friends greet you Greet the friends by name. |
Introduction:
The battle for truth and the fight against apostasy is waged at home and in the local church congregation and that is where 3rd John comes in. This little letter (the shortest New Testament Epistle in the original Greek) gives us a glimpse into the early assembly, its people, and its problems. As you read this brief letter, you find yourself thinking, times have not really changed that much. Similar problems are in the congregations today.
This letter was addressed to Gaius, one of the leaders of the assembly. But John also discussed two other men in these verses Diotrephes and Demetrius. Where ever there are people there are problems and the potential for solving problems. We might examine this small letter to see how it is applicable for us today.
OUTLINE OF 3RD JOHN
GAIUS, A BELOVED BELIVER (vs. 1-8)
DIOTREPHES, A PROUD BELIEVER (vs. 9-10).
DEMETRIUS, AN EXEMPLARY BELIEVER (vs. 11-12).
CONCLUSION (vs. 13-14).
INTRODUCTION TO THE EPISTLE (3rd John 1-4).
Understand John's prayer for Gaius and the apostle's joy at hearing that his children are walking in the truth.
A. Possible Identity of Gaius
Gauis was a common name there are three in the church.
a. Gauis of Macedonia (Acts 19:29) Paul's companion in Macedonia who was dragged from the theater when the Ephesians were stirred up over the matter of Diana or Artemis the Great of Ephesus.
Gauis of Derbe (Acts 20:4) listed with Sopater of Beroea, Aristarchus and Secundus of Thessalonica, Gauis and Timothy of Derbe and Tychicus and Trophiimus of Asia.
Gauis of Corinth (Romans 16:23; 1st Corinthians 1:14) evidences that a congregation met in his home where Paul also stayed and was one of the few in Corinth that Paul personally baptized.
Most commentators assign the Gauis of John to another not these, but those who do select one of the three make it Gauis of Corinth.
B. Greeting and Commendation (vs. 1-4)
1. John writes to Gauis (v.1)
a. Gauis was a faithful Christian.
b. He was loved by John (see Romans 16:23).
2. The two kinds of prosperity that John wishes for Gauis (v.2).
a. Financial prosperity.
b. Physical prosperity.
3. John's joy at hearing the children are walking in the truth (vs.3-4).
THREE MEN IN THE CHURCH
A. Gauis - The Good man - His Attitude concerning Mission Work (3rd John 5-8). Supporting Missionaries is the assignment of the church and they ought to be set forward worthy of God.
1. The use of the phrase set forward (v.6)
a. The Greek word is Propempo (pro-forward - pempo- to send). The English word propel comes from this.
b. This word in NT times had missionary connotations.
c. In Acts 20:38 the same word was used to show a sign of solidarity between the individual who does the setting forth and the person being set forth.
d. But the root word has more of a financial connotation. It is ordained in the Bible that those who preach the gospel should live off of the gospel. (Note 1st Corinthians 9:14; Galatians 6:6; Philippians 1:5; 4:14-16).
2. This term is widely used in the NT Note carefully Galatians 2:2; Acts 15:3; 1st Corinthians 16:6, 11; 2nd Corinthians 1:16; Romans 15:24; Titus 3:13-14; John 20:21.
3. Supporting missionaries and paying their travel expenses is an assignment to the church.
a. The example of Lydia fulfilling that assignment.
b. The book of Acts is the church under the great commission.
c. Contributing to support of missionaries is a believing act (v.5), a faithful work.
4. Brethren and strangers (v.5) refers to foreign preachers.
5. Taking nothing from the Gentiles points to the fact that God's ministers do not tax pagans. God's people are charged with their keep.
6. Two possible meanings of the phrase worthy of God (v.6).
a. Set them forward as though they were God.
b. Set them forward as though you were God (as God would do Himself).
B. Diotrephes the Dictator - (vs. 9-10). Learn the importance of imitating that which is good rather than that which is evil.
1. Diotrephes (vs. 9-10) probably a Gnostic - Note these things about the man.
a. He loved to have preeminence among the brethren.
b. He refused John's letters.
c. He refused hospitality to the brethren.
d. He forbids and casts out of the church those who would show hospitality to the itinerant preachers.
2. Diotrephes was motivated by pride. Instead of giving the preeminence to Jesus Christ (Colossians 1:18), he claimed it for himself.
C. Demetrius the Exemplar (vs. 11-14).
1. Imitate not that which is evil (Diotrephes) but that which is good (Gauis) (v.11).
2. Demetrius (v.12) - a good man. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Note the witness to that:
a. Witness of all men. Demetrius is well spoken of by all.
b. Witness of truth itself ...and even by the truth itself.
c. Witness of John....We also speak well of him.
Conclusion:
Peace to you. The friends here send their greetings. Greet the friends there by name.
Hospitality and Mission Awareness Commended
by Lane Rogers