3rd JOHN

The Epistles of John3rd John is personal, to the individual, about problems from inside

his church.

2nd John was to “the elect lady” about false teachers from the outside who would appeal to love so that they might deny the truth.

1st John to the church at large about living out the love of God in a hostile world.

3 John: IntroductionThe early Church in the 1st century was under attack from both the inside and the outside.

It should not surprise us that the Holy Spirit has anticipated every conceivable form of attack and diversion.

These three epistles are full of insights that are timely for each of us — at the personal level as well as at the corporate.

3 John: BackgroundBrother of James “the Greater” (Mt 4:21, 10:2; Mk 1:19, 3:17, 10:35).

3rd JOHNThe younger of the sons of Zebedee and Salome and was born at Bethsaida (Mt 4:21; 27:56; 15:40).

His father was apparently a man of some wealth (Mk 1:20; Lk 5:3; Jn 19:27).

He was doubtless trained in all that constituted the normal education of Jewish youth.

When he grew up he followed the occupation of a fisherman with his family on the Sea of Galilee.

When John the Baptist began his ministry in the wilderness of Judea, John, with many others, gathered around him and was deeply influenced by his teaching.

He heard the announcement, “Behold the Lamb of God,”

On the invitation of Jesus, John became a disciple and ranked among his followers for a time (Jn 1:36,37).

He and his brother then returned to their former avocation (it is uncertain for how long).

Jesus again called them and now they left all and permanently joined the company of his disciples (Mt 4:21; Lk 5:1-11).

For their zeal and intensity of character, Jesus named him and his brother “Boanerges” (“Sons of Thunder”; Mk 3:17).

This spirit of chutspah broke out on a number of occasions (Mt 20:20-24; Mk 10:35-41; Lk 9:49, 54).

3 John: Insider StatusHe became one of the innermost circle, and was with Jesus during private times as at:

1. Raising Jairus’s daughter Mark 5:372. Jesus’ 6 Jesus agony Matthew 26:37

He and Jesus formed a special relationship and he referred to himself as “the disciple whom Jesus loved” (Jn 19:26; 20:2; 21:7; 21:20).

3 John: Jesus Final Week• At the betrayal, he and Peter followed Christ afar off, while the

others betook themselves to hasty flight (Jn 18:15).

3rd JOHN• At the trial he followed Christ into the council chamber, and

thence to the praetorium, and to the place of crucifixion (Jn 18:16,19,28; 19:26,27).

• Mary was consigned to John’s care at the Cross (rather than to her other sons!).

• To him and Peter, Mary Magdalene first conveyed tidings of the resurrection and they were the first to go and see what her strange words meant (Jn 20:2).

• After the resurrection he and Peter again returned to the Sea of Galilee, where the Lord revealed himself to them (Jn 21:1,7).

• Peter and John are frequently together after this (Ac 3:1; 4:13).

3 John: The Later YearsHe suffered under persecution, and was banished to Patmos (Rev 1:9),

On his release, he again returned to Ephesus, where he stayed until he died.

This was probably about 98 AD, having outlived all (or nearly all) the friends and companions, even of his more mature years.

There are many interesting traditions regarding John’s residence at Ephesus, but these cannot claim the character of historical truth (their unsuccessful attempts at his being boiled in oil, etc.).

John remained, apparently, in Jerusalem among the leadership (Acts15:6; Gal 2:9).

He apparently was not there, however, at the time of Paul’s last visit (Acts 21:15-40).

His subsequent history is unrecorded.

He appears to have retired to Ephesus, but at what time is unknown.

His three epistles, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd John were probably written from Ephesus.

There is some extra-Biblical evidence that he may have written his Gospel after the Patmos experience near the time he wrote the Revelation of Jesus Christ.

3rd JOHN3 John: Consistency of Designations

• “Friend of God”: Abraham (Js 2:23; 2Ch 20:7; Is 41:8).• “Shall I hide from him the what I am to do?” (Gen 18:17).• Disciples: “Now my friends” (Jn 15:14, 15).• Upper Room disclosures (Jn 13-17).• “Beloved”: Daniel, John• Apocalyptic Visions: The Apocalypse.

3 John: The Writings of John• The Gospel of John: Distinctives.• The Book of Revelation: Heptadic Structure.• The Epistles of John:

1. 3rd John (to Gaius);2. 2nd John (to “the Elect Lady”);3. 1st John (to the church at large),

The Design of the Gospels• Matthew — The Promised One is here; see His Credentials.

• Mark — This is how He worked; see His Power.• Luke — This is what He was like; see His Nature.

• John — This is who He really was; see His Godship.

Matthew Mark Luke John Presents as: Messiah Servant Son of Man Son of God Genealogy: Abraham Adam Eternal

(Legal) (Blood line) (Preexistence)What Jesus Said Did Felt Was To the: Jew Roman Greek Church 1st Miracle: Leper Demon Demon Water to

Cleansed expelled expelled Wine (Jew = sin)

Ends with Resurrection Ascension Promise of Promise of Spirit: Acts Return: Revelation

Camp Side: East West South North Ensign: Judah Ephraim Reuben Dan Face: Lion Ox Man Eagle Style: Groupings Snapshots Narrative Mystical

3rd JOHN3 John:3rd John is the shortest (in the original Greek)

It was written for the purpose of commending to Gaius some Christians who were strangers in the place where Gaius lived, and who had gone there for the purpose of preaching the Gospel (v. 7).

The 2nd and 3rd Epistles were probably written very near in time to the 1st from Ephesus. The exact order is not certain.

If John did write these letters after the Patmos vision that makes up the Book of Revelation, then these are his “swan song.”

If these letters were written from Ephesus then they were not directed to Ephesus – at least initially…

One of the key words is “witness”: “Testified” (3 Jn 3).

“Report, bear record, record” (3 Jn 6, 12)

...not just words, but by the life we lead.

Every Christian is a witness, either a good one or a bad one. We are either helping the truth or hindering it (v. 8).

3 John:• Gaius, the Encourager

– Service in Truth and Love vv. 2-8• Diotrephes, the Dictator

– Five indictments vv. 9-11• Demetrius, the Exemplar

– Commendation v. 12

3rd JOHN

3rd JOHN [ESV]Greeting

1 The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth. 2 Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may

be in good health, as it goes well with your soul. 3 For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified to

your truth, as indeed you are walking in the truth. 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking

in the truth.

Support and Opposition5 Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these

brothers, strangers as they are, 6 who testified to your love before the church.

You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God.

7 For they have gone out for the sake of the name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles.

8 Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.

9 I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority.

10 So if I come, I will bring up what he is doing, talking wicked nonsense against us.

And not content with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers, and also stops those who want to and puts them out of the church.

11 Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God.

12 Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself.

We also add our testimony, and you know that our testimony is true.

Final Greetings13 I had much to write to you, but I would rather not write with

pen and ink. 14 I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face. 15 Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends,

every one of them.

3rd JOHN

THE TEACHER'S JOY (3 Jn 1:1-4)1:1-4 The Elder to Gaius, the beloved, whom I love in truth.

Beloved, I pray that everything is going well with you, and that you are in good health of body, as it goes well with your soul. It gave me great joy when certain brothers came and testified of the truth of your life, as indeed you do walk in the truth. No news brings me greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

No New Testament letter better shows that the Christian letters were exactly on the model which all letter-writers used in the time of the early church.

There is first the greeting,

Next the prayer for good health,

After that the main body of the letter with its news,

Then the final greetings.

The early Christian letters were not something remote and ecclesiastical; they were the kind of letters which people wrote to each other every day.

3rd JOHN

3 John 1:11] The elder unto the well beloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.“...elder”: presbuteros:

1) elder, of age; the elder of two people; an elder, a senior;

2) a term of rank or office.

The NT uses the terms bishop, elders, and presbyters interchangeably.

[Cf. the twenty-four “elders” seated on thrones around the throne of God (Rev 4:4ff).

“...Gaius”: The 3rd epistle of John is addressed to Caius or Gaius,

John writes to a friend called Gaius.

There are three men in the NT with that name. Gaius was the commonest of all names; and there is no reason to identify our Gaius with any of these three.

Gaius, the Macedonian who, along with Aristarchus, was with Paul at the riot in Ephesus (Ac 19:29).

Gaius of Derbe, who was the delegate of his church to convey the collection for the poor to Jerusalem (Ac 20:4).

Gaius of Corinth who had been Paul's host,

who was such a hospitable soul that he could be called the host of the whole church (Rom 16:23),

who was one of the very few people whom Paul had personally baptized (1Cor 1:14),

who, according to tradition, became the first Bishop of Thessalonica.

According to tradition he was made the Bishop of Pergamum by John himself.

Gaius was a man with an open house and an open heart.

3rd JOHN

3 John 1:22] Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.John uses the word beloved twice in the first two verses

well-beloved and beloved as in the KJV, translate the same Greek word, agapetos, <G27>.)

John uses agapetos (<G27>) in his 3 epistles no fewer than ten times.

These letters are letters of warning and rebuke; and yet their accent is the accent of love.

Even if he has to rebuke, John never speaks with irritation. The whole atmosphere of his writing is that of love.

“Beloved”: John loved this man; “beloved” occurs four times (3 Jn. 1, 2, 5, 11).

John is interested both in the physical and the spiritual health of Gaius.

John like Jesus never forgot that men have bodies as well as souls and that they matter, too.

Gaius was sound in doctrine. Note the inversion: “may your physical health be as sound as your spiritual (devotional) health.”

To have excellent physical health, one must have

Nutrition, Exercise, Cleanliness, Proper Rest, and the Discipline of a Balanced Life.

Spiritual Health• Nourishment: Word of God (Mt 4:4).

What digestion is to the body, meditation is to the soul.• Exercise: a Godly work-out (1 Tim 4:6, 7).

Gaius read it, meditated on it, delighted in it, and then practiced it daily.

• Cleanliness (2 Cor 7:1). Avoiding the contamination and pollution of the world (2 Pet 1:4; James 1:27).

• Rest in the Lord, Fellowship with Him (Mt 11:18-30; Rev 2:4).

3rd JOHN• Discipline of a Balanced Life (Phil 4:5).

Meditate H1897 הגה hagah haw-gaw'Total KJV Occurrences: 24

meditate, 6 Jos_1:8, Ps_1:2, Ps_63:6, Ps_77:12, Ps_143:5, Is_33:18mourn, 4 Isa_16:7, Isa_38:14, Isa_59:11, Jer_48:31speak, 3 Psa_35:28, Pro_8:7 (2)imagine, 2 Psa_2:1, Psa_38:12studieth, 2 Pro_15:28, Pro_24:2mutter, 1 Isa_8:19muttered, 1 Isa_59:3roaring, 1 Isa_31:3-4 (2)speaketh, 1 Psa_37:30talk, 1 Psa_71:24utter, 1 Job_27:4uttering, 1 Isa_59:13

A primitive root (compare H1901); to murmur (in pleasure or anger); by implication to ponder: - imagine, meditate, mourn, mutter, roar, X sore, speak, study, talk, utter.

Meditate G3191 μελεταω meletao1) to care for, attend to carefully, practise

2) to meditate, i.e. to devise, contrive

2a) used of the Greeks of the meditative pondering and the practice of orators and rhetoricians

Part of Speech: verb

A Related Word by Thayer’s/Strong’s Number: from a presumed derivative of G3199

Total KJV Occurrences: 3imagine, 1 Act_4:25meditate, 1 1Ti_4:15premeditate, 1 Mar_13:11

3rd JOHN

3 John 1:33] For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.We each have a reputation that precedes us!

We create it by the way we walk: act, talk, and think.

“As thou walkest in the truth”; Ps 1:1-3 1 How blessed is the man who does not walk in the

counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. 3 He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers..

A “doer,” not just a hearer.

Jas 1:22-27 22 But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; 24 for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. 25 But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does. 26 If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is worthless. 27 Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

True living comes from the Living Truth and living the Truth

3rd JOHN

3 John 1:44] I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.John tells us of the teacher's greatest joy - to see his pupils walking in the truth.

The truth is not simply something to be intellectually assimilated;

It is the knowledge which fills a man's mind and the charity which clothes his life.

The truth is what makes a man think and act like God.

John had a pastor’s heart… John cared for all of them.

He “followed-up” from the heart!

He was concerned for and kept track of his spiritual children.

3rd JOHN

JOHN'S MAIN OBJECT IN WRITING, CHRISTIAN HOSPITALITY (3 Jn 1:5-8)1:5-8 Beloved, whatever service you render to the brothers, strangers as they are, is an act of true faith and they testify to your love before the church. It will be a further kindness, if you send them on their way worthily of God. For they have gone out for the sake of the Name and they take no assistance from pagans. It is a duty to support such men, that we may show ourselves fellow-workers with the truth.

A group of travelling missionaries was on its way to the church of which Gaius is a member

John urges him to receive them, to give them every support and to send them on their way in a truly Christian manner.

In the ancient world hospitality was a sacred duty.

Strangers were under the protection of Zeus the god of strangers (Xenos, <G3581>, is the Greek for a stranger).

The Greek had an instinctive dislike of taking money for the giving of hospitality; therefore, the profession of innkeeper ranked very low.

In the ancient world inns were notoriously dirty and flea-infested.

Innkeepers were notoriously rapacious

Plato compared them to pirates who hold their guests to ransom before they allow them to escape.

The ancient world had a system of guest-friendships whereby families in different parts of the country undertook to give each other's members hospitality when the occasion arose.

This connection between families lasted throughout the generations and when it was claimed, the claimant brought with him a sumbolon, or token, which identified him to his hosts.

Some cities kept an official called the Proxenos in the larger cities to whom their citizens, when travelling, might appeal for shelter and for help.

If the heathen world accepted the obligation of hospitality, it was expected that the Christians would take it even more seriously.

3rd JOHN"Practice hospitality ungrudgingly to one another" (1Pet 4:9).

"Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers for thereby some have entertained angels unawares" (Heb 13:2).

A Christian widow is to be honored if she has "shown hospitality" (1Tim 5:9).

Paul bids the Romans to "practice hospitality" (Rom 12:13).

Hospitality was to be specially a characteristic of the leaders of the church.

A bishop must be a man given to hospitality (1Tim 3:2).

Titus is told to be "hospitable" (Tit 1:8).

When we come down to the time of Justin Martyr, (A.D. 170) we find that on the Lord's Day the well-to-do contributed as they would and it was the duty of the president of the congregation

"to succour the orphans and the widows, and those who through sickness or any other cause are in want, and those who are in bonds, and the strangers sojourning amongst us" (Justin Martyr: First Apology 1: 67).

In the early church the Christian home was the place of the open door and the loving welcome.

There can be few nobler works than to give a fellow Christian, even though a stranger, the right of entry to a Christian home.

3rd JOHN

3 John 1:5-65] Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers; G3581

6] Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well:“...after a godly sort”: Deeds, not just words (Jas 2:14-16; 1 Jn 3:16-18). Deeds worthy of God, as befits God’s children.

We are never more “God-like” than when we are sacrificing to serve others.

Foreigner = Stranger >> visitor, sojourner, guestBrethren = Family, common parentage / lineage

strangers G3581 ξενος xénos;

fem. xéne, neut. xénon, adj.

Strange, foreign, not of one's family;

subst. ho xénos, a guest, stranger, meaning a friend although a stranger

(Rom_16:23 refers to Gaius as a host of Paul and of the whole church, meaning that possibly the church met in his house).

It generally means a stranger – someone not personally known - from another place (Mat_25:35, Mat_25:38, Mat_25:43-44; Mat_27:7; Act_17:21; Heb_11:13; Sept.: Rth_2:10; 2Sa_15:19; Job_31:32).

Used metaphorically with the meaning of not belonging to a Christian community, an alien (Eph_2:12, Eph_2:19, meaning a stranger, not a Christian; 3Jn_1:5).

As an adj., it means strange, foreign, unknown, as coming from another country (Act_17:18).

Metaphorically used to refer to strange doctrines, foreign to the Christian faith (Heb_13:9); strange, novel, unheard

3rd JOHNof, and thus causing surprise and wonder (1Pe_4:12).

Deriv.: xenía (G3578), hospitality; xenízo (G3579), to appear as a stranger or to entertain a stranger.

Syn.: allótrios (G245), one belonging to another country, an alien; parádoxos (G3861), strange or something contrary to the accepted opinion; éxo (G2192), literally outside, something different from one's own people or opinions, foreign; héteros (G2087), another of a different kind, therefore strange; allogenes (G241), one belonging to another race; pároikos (G3941), one who remains temporarily in a place, sojourner; parepídemos (G3927), a pilgrim.

Ant.: oikeíos (G3609), one who belongs to a household, kindred; oikiakós (G3615), belonging to one's household; suggenes (G4773), fellow countryman, cousin, kin.

3rd JOHN

3 John 1:7

7] Because that for his name’s sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles. G1484

The wandering missionaries gave up home and comfort to carry afield the word of God.

“...taking nothing of the Gentiles”: Never soliciting help from the unsaved.

Abraham had this same policy (Gen 14:21-24).

Gentiles G1484 εθνος ethnos Total KJV Occurrences: 164gentiles, 93 nations, 37 nation, 27 heathen, 5 people, 2

Paul says that they have gone forth for the sake of the Name and take no assistance from pagans.

It is possible that 3 Jn 1:7 might refer to those who had come out from the Gentiles taking nothing with them. Those who for the sake of Christianity had left their work and their home and their friends and had no means of support. Given the context, this does not seem to be the context here.

In the ancient world the "begging friar," with his wallet, was well known.

The Christian wandering preachers would take nothing from the Gentiles, even if it were offered to them.

2nd John 10-11 warns against showing hospitality to false teachers

If you wish them Godspeed you are a partaker of their deeds.

Here, the assumption is that intimate hospitality is restricted to believers....

Be wary of those ministries that generally solicit from everyone that come their way.

There are many “ministries” the Lord would probably shut down!

Donation policy: Ministries give, not take…. Ministries meet needs…

Having a “need” is not, in itself, sufficient qualification: be sure the Lord is in it.

3rd JOHN

3 John 1:88] We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.“We ought to receive such”: Ministry support is not only an opportunity, but also an obligation.

Those who receive spiritual blessings from the ministry of the Word ought to share material blessings (Ga 6:6-10; 1Co 9:7-11)

“You pay your board where you get your food.”

“Fellow-helper”: we don’t know Gaius’s gift(s) or ministry but we know he was committed to assist...

John commends these adventurers of the faith to the hospitality and the generosity of Gaius.

He says that it is a duty to help them so that we may show ourselves fellow-workers in the truth.

Moffatt translates this: "We are bound to support such men to prove ourselves allies of the truth."

The church needs those who will go out with the truth, but it also needs those who will be allies of the truth at home.

Not everyone is called to become a missionary or a preacher. But we can go through our support, our money and prayers.

Not everyone can be in the front line; but by supporting those who are there, we can make ourselves an ally of the truth participant in the mission.

All giving to the wider work of Christ and his church must not be an obligation but a privilege, not a duty but a delight.

Mat 10:40-42 ESV(40) "Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. (41) The one who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and the one who receives a righteous person because he is a righteous person will receive a righteous person's reward. (42) And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward."

3rd JOHN

3rd JOHN

LOVE'S APPEAL (3Jn 1:9-15)1:9-15 I have already written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who is ambitious for the leadership, does not accept our authority. So, then, when I come, I will bring up the matter of his actions, for he talks nonsensically about us with wicked words; he refuses to receive the brothers and attempts to stop those who wish to do so and tries to eject them from the church.Beloved do not imitate the evil but the good. He who does good has the source of his life in God; he who does evil has not seen God.Everybody testifies to the worth of Demetrius, and so does the truth itself; and so do we testify, and you know that our testimony is true.I have many things to write to you; but I do not wish to write to you with ink and pen. I hope to see you soon, and we shall talk face to face.Peace be to you. The friends send their greetings. Greet the friends by name.Here we come to the reason why this letter was written and are introduced to two of the main characters in the story.

In the early church there was a double ministry.

There were the apostles and the prophets whose sphere was not confined to any one congregation and whose authority extended all over the church.

There were also the elders; they were the permanent settled ministry of the local congregations and their very backbone.

In the early days this presented no problem, for the local congregations were still very much infants who had not yet learned to walk by themselves and to handle their own affairs.

But as time went on there came a tension between the two kinds of ministry.

As the local churches became stronger and more conscious of their identity, they inevitably became less and less willing to submit to remote control or to the invasion of itinerant strangers.

3rd JOHNThe problem is still to some extent with us.

There is the itinerant evangelist who may well have a theology and work with methods and in an atmosphere very different from that of the settled local congregation.

In the younger churches there is the question of how long the missionaries / denominations should remain in control and of when the time has come for them to withdraw and allow the indigenous churches to rule their own affairs.

3rd JOHN

3 John 1:99] I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.Diotrephes is the representative of the local congregation.

He will not accept the authority of John, the apostolic man and he will not receive the itinerant missionaries.

He is so determined to see that the local congregation manages its own affairs that he will even eject those who are still prepared to accept the authority of John and to receive the wandering preachers.

“...receiveth us not”: Hospitality was a key commitment among the early Church.

Peter emphasizes it (1 Pet 4:9),

1Pe 4:9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.

Paul also (1 Tim 5:9-10; Rom 12:13; Titus 1:8).

1Ti 5:9-10 ESV(9) Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years of age, having been the wife of one husband, (10) and having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has shown hospitality, has washed the feet of the saints, has cared for the afflicted, and has devoted herself to every good work.

Rom 12:13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

Tit 1:7-8 ESV(7) For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, (8) but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.

What exactly Diotrephes role in the local church is we cannot tell.

He certainly is not a bishop in anything like the modern sense of the word.

He may be a very strong-minded elder.

3rd JOHNOr he may be an aggressive member of the congregation who by the force of his personality is sweeping all before him. Certainly he emerges as a strong and dominant character.

3rd JOHN

3 John 1:1010] Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.“...prating against us with malicious words”: the level of slander and defamation within the Body is a tragedy!

Contention is evidence of pride (Prov 13:10).

Pro 13:10 By insolence comes nothing but strife, but with those who take advice is wisdom.

We must be cautious about accepting what we hear about God’s servants.

Mat 18:16 “…BY THE MOUTH OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES EVERY FACT MAY BE CONFIRMED.

Num 35:30 "If anyone kills a person, the murderer shall be put to death on the evidence of witnesses. But no person shall be put to death on the testimony of one witness.

Deu 17:6 On the evidence of two witnesses or of three witnesses the one who is to die shall be put to death; a person shall not be put to death on the evidence of one witness.

Deu 19:15 "A single witness shall not suffice against a person for any crime or for any wrong in connection with any offense that he has committed. Only on the evidence of two witnesses or of three witnesses shall a charge be established.

1Ki 21:13 And the two worthless men came in and sat opposite him. And the worthless men brought a charge against Naboth in the presence of the people, saying, "Naboth cursed God and the king." So they took him outside the city and stoned him to death with stones.

Joh 8:17 In your Law it is written that the testimony of two people is true.

2Co 13:1 This is the third time I am coming to you. Every charge must be established by the evidence of two or

3rd JOHNthree witnesses.

1Ti 5:19 Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses.

Heb 10:28 Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses.

1Jn 5:7-8 ESV(7) For there are three that testify:(8) the Spirit and the water and the blood; and these three

agree.

Rev 11:3 And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth."

There is a major disparity between

• rejecting doctrine and false teaching and • rejection of the brethren with whom we may have a

divergent view.

This indicates in Diotrephes life:

1) There was an insecurity in his position;

John was a threat to his station or he certainly wouldn’t be looking forward to John’s threatened visit! (v.14).

2) Jesus wasn’t preeminent in his life.

We do need to be diligent to have no fellowship with apostates

We must refrain from entering into entangling alliances with unbelievers (2 Cor 6:14ff). 2Co 6:14-18 ESV

(14) Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?(15) What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever?(16) What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, "I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

3rd JOHN(17) Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you,(18) and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty."

3rd JOHN

3 John 1:1111] Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.

They that do evil can include pulpits, elders, teachers, commentators, authors, and CD, TV and radio “ministries”...

We must also avoid those whose doctrinal position is contrary to Scripture (Rom 16:17-19).

Rom 16:17-19 ESV(17) I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.(18) For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.(19) For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil.

This doesn’t mean we cooperate only with those who interpret Scripture precisely as we do;

There are many areas where good scholars have divergent views;

It’s the fundamentals that count.John’s other two epistles will stress this point.

John’s 5 Indictments1) He must occupy the leading place in the church;2) He actually refused to receive the Apostle John;3) He made malicious statements against the apostles;4) He refused to extend hospitality to the missionaries;5) He excommunicated those who did receive the

missionaries!

Know any self-opinionated; self-exalting (rather than self-effacing); self-made; self-sufficient; self-willed; self-satisfied; self-confident... Self, self, self. Walking in the flesh! The exalted ruler of the Church. Such men can wreck a church.

(Don’t overlook Mrs. Diotrephes…)

3rd JOHNEven among the disciples, there were excessive aspirations (Mt 18:1ff; vs. Phil 2:1ff). Mat 18:1-6 ESV

(1) At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"

(2) And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them (3) and said, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

(4) Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

(5) "Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, (6) but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.

Php 2:1-16 ESV(1) So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort

from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, (2) complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.

(3) Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

(4) Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

(5) Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, (6) who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, (7) but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.

(8) And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

(9) Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, (10) so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, (11) and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

(12) Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my

3rd JOHNabsence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, (13) for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

(14) Do all things without grumbling or questioning, (15) that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,

(16) holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.

Preeminence is reserved for Jesus Christ Himself

Jn 3:30: “He must increase; I must decrease”.

Col 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.

The Greek verb is in the present tense, active voice:indicates that this was the constant attitude of Diotrephes to promote himself.

In essentials, unity;In non-essentials, liberty;

In all things, Agape. — Augustine

3rd JOHN

3 John 1:1212] Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true.“Demetrius”: an example worthy to be imitated.

In our present day there is the lack of good, proper role models. (Phil 3:17; 1 Cor 11:1; Heb 10:24).

Php 3:17-18 ESV(17) Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.(18) For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ.

1Co 11:1 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

Heb 10:24-25 ESV

(24) And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, (25) not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

However, “Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets” (Lk 6:26).

Flattery may mean that we are compromising and/or masquerading.

Praise lifts up and glorifies God

Flattery lifts up and glorifies man

Gaius and Demetrius walked in truth and obeyed the Word of God.

They certainly weren’t “perfect,” but they had consistent lives, seeking to honor the Lord.

Demetrius is most likely the leader of the wandering preachers and probably the actual bearer of this letter.

John goes out of his way to give him a testimonial as to character and ability.

Demetrius is by no means an uncommon name.

3rd JOHNAttempts have been made to identify him with two New Testament characters.

He has been identified with Demetrius, the silversmith of Ephesus and the leader of the opposition to Paul (Ac 19:21ff.).

Act 19:24 For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought no little business to the craftsmen.

It may be that he afterwards became a Christian and that his early opposition was still a black mark against him.

He has been identified with Demas (a shortened form of Demetrius), who had once been one of Paul's fellow-laborers but who had forsaken him because he loved this present world (Col 4:14; Phm 1:24 ; 2Tim 4:10).

Col 4:14 Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas.

Phm 1:24 and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers.

2Ti 4:10 For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.

It may be that Demas came back to the faith and that his desertion of Paul was always held against him.

It may be that Demas here, is neither of these men, but another missionary serving the Lord.

Into this situation comes John, whose authority is being flouted; and Gaius, a kindly soul but probably not so strong a character as the aggressive Diotrephes,

Gaius is whom John is seeking to align to himself, for Gaius, left on his own, might well succumb to Diotrephes.

We may have a good deal of sympathy with Diotrephes; we may well think that he was taking a stand which sooner or later had to be taken.

But for all his strength of character he had one fault--he was lacking in charity.

3rd JOHN"There is no real religious experience which does not express itself in charity." CH Dodd

For all his powers of leadership and for all his dominance of character, Diotrephes was not a real Christian, as John saw it.

The true Christian leader must always remember that strength and gentleness must go together and that leading and loving must go hand in hand.

Diotrephes was like so many leaders in the church. He may well have been right, but he took the wrong way to achieve his end, for no amount of strength of mind can take the place of love of heart.

3rd JOHN

3 John 1:13-1513] I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee: 14] But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. 15] Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name.Peace to you may be as much of a command as a prayer.

The believer can enjoy peace because he has adequate resources in Jesus Christ (Phil 4:6, 7, 13, 19).

Php 4:6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Php 4:13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Php 4:19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

But, he must use those resources to impact his attitude and life actions.

What a blessing it is to have Christian friends!

When Paul arrived near Rome, some of the brethren went to meet him, “whom when Paul saw, he thanked God and took courage” (Acts 28:15).

The Most Painful SinThou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I am the LORD. Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon

him. Lev 19:16,17In its formal form, it is a violation of a commandment written in stone by the finger of God!

Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. Ex 20:16He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that

refuseth reproof erreth. He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool. In the multitude of words there

3rd JOHNwanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise. The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth.

Pro 10:17-20

GossipGossip is the testimony of a single testimony, talebearer lacking corroboration.

Gossip is a form of betrayal and is probably accountable for more personal pain and suffering than most of us have any appreciation of.

Common, casual, yet hurtful beyond our imagining.

Quietly, behind the flurry of daily priorities, its venom does its silent work, undermining confidences, betraying relationships, spreading unseen injustices...

It is disturbing to note how many of us have been injured — deeply — by gossip and by those who accept, without checking, negative or derogatory innuendos whispered behind our backs.

What an opportunity to display loyalty, love, and, by assuming the most charitable construction, in advance, demonstrate the foundation of a relationship!

The tongue is a ready and willing instrument to talk about our neighbor behind his back (Ro 1:30; 2Co 12:20; Jas 4:11).

Rom 1:24-32 ESV(24) Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves,(25) because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.(26) For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; (27) and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.(28) And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.

3rd JOHN(29) They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, (30) slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, (31) foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless.(32) Though they know God's decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.

For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults: 2 Co 12:20Jas 4:11-12 ESV

(11) Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge.(12) There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?

A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter. Pro 11:13The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. Pro 18:8He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips. Pro 20:19Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. Pro 26:20As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife. Pro 26:21The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. Pro 26:22The “Christian” Approach:

“I don’t want to gossip. However, in order that you might pray more specifically for, let me tell you the latest . . . ”

This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground,

3rd JOHNas though he heard them not. So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. Jn 8:6,7

What Is a True Friend?One who doesn’t require explanations.One who gives the benefit of the doubt.

One who is loyal and shuns any form of betrayal…

John comes to the end in love.

Soon he will come and talk, when his presence will do what no letter can ever do; and for the present he sends his greetings and his blessing.

3rd JOHNFURTHER READING

John J. N. S. Alexander, The Epistles of John (Tch; E) E. Brooke, The Johannine Epistles (ICC; G) H. Dodd, The Johannine Epistles (MC; E)

Abbreviations ICC: International Critical Commentary MC: Moffatt Commentary Tch: Torch Commentary E: English Text G: Greek Text

Barclay's Daily Study Bible (NT)

Bibliography

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• Knauer: Stud. U. Krit., 1833, Part 2, p.452ff; q.v. Huther, J. E., Critical and Exegetical Handbook to the General Epistles of James, Peter, John, and Jude (translated from the German) (11 vols.), Funk and Wagnalls, 1884.

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• Vines, Jerry, Exploring 1-2-3 John, Loizeaux Brothers, Neptune, NJ 1989.

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• Wiersbe, Warren W. , The Bible Exposition Commentary (2 Vols), Scripture Press, Wheaton, IL 1989.