3 John

Summary of the Book of 3 John

Written: c. AD 85-95

The shortest book in the Bible by word count, 3 John is a private note from "the elder" to a believer named Gaius, and it turns the situation of 2 John inside out. Where that letter warned against hosting false teachers, this one confronts a man who refuses to host true ones. Traditionally attributed to the apostle John, it opens a rare window onto the personalities and power struggles of a first-century congregation.

The elder commends Gaius warmly: reports have come back of his faithfulness in welcoming traveling brothers, even strangers, and sending them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God. Such workers went out for the sake of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles, so those who receive them become fellow workers for the truth. The elder writes that he has no greater joy than to hear about his children walking in truth. Then the shadow: Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, rejects the elder's authority, spreads malicious words against him, refuses to receive the brothers, and expels from the church those who would. The elder promises to raise the matter in person, tells Gaius not to imitate what is evil but what is good, and holds up a third figure, Demetrius, whose good testimony comes from everyone and from the truth itself.

In the canon's picture of the early church, 3 John shows how the gospel actually traveled: on foot, funded by hospitality, vulnerable both to deceivers and to domineering local leaders. Its quiet contribution is the contrast between Diotrephes' love of preeminence and Gaius' open door.

To commend Gaius for supporting traveling gospel workers, expose Diotrephes' domineering refusal to do so, and promise the elder's personal intervention.