CHAPTER XVIII
A LETTER TO THE BELOVED GAIUS
CONCERNING AN IMPENDING VISIT BY
TEACHERS OF TRUTH
III John
A.
Background
1.
Who wrote III John?
Ill John is so obviously from the pen of the author of the other Johanine letters that no comment is required as to its authorship. What has been said for first and second John will suffice for third John also. The purpose of III John is a practical situation in which the previous teaching must be applied.
2.
To whom is it written?
There is no question that III John is written to an individual rather than to a congregation or a group of congregations.
There is some question concerning the identification of the individual, Gaius, to whom it is addressed. Three men of this name are mentioned in the New Testament: Gaius of Macedonia (Acts 19:29), Gaius of Derbe (Acts 20:4), and Gaius of Corinth (1 Corinthians 1:14).
There is no conclusive evidence that the Gaius to whom John wrote is to be identified with any of the three. Some early writers chose to identify him with Gaius of Derbe.
We can be fairly certain that John wrote to a Gaius who was an elder in whatever congregation he served, for the matter of which he wrote was serious and would require overt action. In the New Testament church, such matters were settled by the elders.
3.
Construction of the book
Three individuals are mentioned by name in III John. For this reason, I have chosen, rather arbitrarily, to divide the outline into three major headings, beginning at the mention of Gaius, Diotrephes, and Demetrius respectively.
B.
The Text
The elder unto Gaius the beloved, whom I love in truth. (2) Beloved, I pray that in all things thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. (3) For I rejoiced greatly, when brethren came and bare witness unto thy truth, even as thou walkest in truth. (4) Greater joy have I none than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth. (5) Beloved, thou doest a faithful work in whatsoever thou doest toward them that are brethren and strangers withal; (6) who bare witness to thy love before the church: whom thou wilt do well to set forward on their journey worthily of God: (7) because that for the sake of the Name they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles. (8) We therefore ought to welcome such, that we may be fellow-workers for the truth. (9) I wrote somewhat unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. (10) Therefore, if I come, I will bring to remembrance his works which he doeth, prating against us with wicked words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and them that would he forbiddeth and casteth them out of the church. (11) Beloved, imitate not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: he that doeth evil hath not seen God. (12) Demetrius hath the witness ofall men, and of the truth itself: yea, we also bear witness; and thou knowest that our witness is true. (13) I had many things to write unto thee, but I am unwilling to write them to thee with ink and pen: (14) but I hope shortly to see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be unto thee. The friends salute thee. Salute the friends by name.
C.
Try to Discover
1.
What is the problem about which John writes to Gaius?
2.
Is there any gnostic influence here as in I and II John?
3.
What part does Diotrephes play in the problem?
4.
Why is Demetrius mentioned?
D.
Paraphrase
The elder to Gaius the beloved, whom I love in truth. (2) Beloved! concerning all things I pray thou mayest be prospering and be in health, even as thy soul is prospering. (3) For I rejoiced exceedingly at brethren coming and bearing witness unto thy truth, even as thou in truth art walking. (4) I have no greater favour than these things, that I should be hearing that my own children in the truth are walking. (5) Beloved! a faithful thing art thou doing, whatsoever thou shalt accomplish for them that are brethren and with all strangers, (6) who have borne witness to thy love before the assembly: whom thou wilt do nobly to set forward worthily of God. (7) For in behalf of The Name have they gone forth, taking nothing from them of the nations. (8) We therefore ought to be sustaining such as these, that we may become fellow workers with the truth. (9) I wrote something unto the assembly: but who is fond of taking the first place among themDiotrephes doth not make us welcome. (10) For this cause if I come I will bring to remembrance his works which he is doing, with wicked words prating against us: and not content with these he neither himself maketh the brethren welcome, but them who are minded to do it he forbideth, and out of the assembly doth cast them. (11) Beloved! be not thou imitating what is bad but what is good. He that doeth good is of God: he that doeth what is bad hath not seen God. (12) Unto Demetrius hath witness been borne by all and by the truth itself; howbeit we also bear witness, and thou knowest that our witness is true. (13) Many things had I to write unto thee, but I am unwilling with ink and pen to be writing; I hope straightway to see thee, and mouth to mouth will we talk. Peace be unto thee. The friends salute thee. Salute the friends by name.
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