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Introduction to 3 John

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An introduction to 3 John.
John wrote his third letter
in or near Ephesus about 98 C.E.
John addressed his third letter
to a beloved Gaius,
a common Roman name at the time.
Third John has 14 verses.
Gaius had a fine reputation
for enduring in the truth
and for welcoming brothers
who were strangers to him.
And the apostle John commends him
for his hospitable spirit.
Diotrephes’ attitude contrasts sharply
with that of Gaius.
Diotrephes is disrespectful
of apostolic authority
and wants the first place among the brothers.
Diotrephes refuses
to welcome visiting brothers.
He even tries to hinder
and expel from the congregation
those who show hospitality.
However, Demetrius,
a Christian and dear friend of John,
is spoken of favorably.
Demetrius may have been the one
who delivered John’s third letter.
Did you know?
At 3 John 6,
Gaius is advised
to send the traveling brothers
“on their way in a manner worthy of God.”
This would mean
carefully supplying the brothers
with what they need for their trip.
Gaius evidently did this.
At the end of his second and third letters,
John explains that his letters are short
because he hopes to see his brothers soon
and speak with them face-to-face.
As you read 3 John,
note how it stresses
the importance of Christian hospitality,
see how it contrasts
the attitude of proud Diotrephes
with that of beloved Gaius,
and observe how the depth of John’s love
is expressed for his fellow Kingdom heirs.