The Book of Third John
The Good and The Bad
Introduction and 1-8
Howard Buck
July 17, 2011
As mentioned 2 weeks ago
2 John is actually the shortest book
in the NT while
3 John is the second shortest
Again making 2 John first
and 3 John second… (ha ha)
This book is a logical follow-up to
both of the other letters
This one probably
Providing more clarity
to 2 John
Apparently there is still an issue
About who to let in your
House!!
In 2 John, the elder explains that we should notoffer false teachers the hospitality of our home
In 3 John, we have a guy taking thiscommandment to an extreme and beyond whatJohn intends..
Probably written in that 90-95 AD window
No question of to whom it is intended as theintended recipient is clearly named:
Gaius
The people of the letter:
The elder the writer 1
Gaius the one the letter is addressed to 1
Brethren who delivered the report of Gaius toJohn 3
My children those led to Christ by John 4
Travel/brethrenbore witness of Gaius & were rejectedby Diotrephes 5
Travel/brethren who are strangers
also bearing witness of Gaius 5
The church the place where the travelers reportedthe walk of Gaius and where John is 6
The people of the letter continued:
God/His as the standard of measure relating totreatment of others And, as the standard ofmeasure relating to salvation 6
Gentiles standard of measure of the travelersmotives 7
Church as the recipient of the first/missing letter 9
Diotrephes the source of the problem 9
Demetrius probably the letter carrier 12
Allbelievers that have testified about Demetrius 12
Friends who greet members where John is 14
Friends to be greeted members where Gaius is 14
3 John 1:1-141 The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth.2 Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper
and be in good health, just as your soul prospers. 3 For I was very glad when brethren came and testified
to your truth, that is, how you are walking in truth. 4 I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my childrenwalking in the truth.5 Beloved, you are acting faithfully in whatever youaccomplish for the brethren, and especially when they arestrangers; 6 and they have testified to your love before the church.
You will do well to send them on their way in a mannerworthy of God.
7 For they went out for the sake of the Name,
accepting nothing from the Gentiles. 8 Therefore we ought to support such men, so that we
may be fellow workers with the truth.
9 I wrote something to the church; but Diotrephes, wholoves to be first among them, does not accept what wesay. 10 For this reason, if I come, I will call attention to hisdeeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wickedwords; and not satisfied with this, he himself does notreceive the brethren, either, and he forbids those whodesire to do so and puts them out of the church.
11 Beloved, 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.
12 Demetrius has received a good testimony from
everyone, and from the truth itself; and we add ourtestimony, and you know that our testimony is true.13 I had many things to write to you, but I am not willing
to write them to you with pen and ink; 14 but I hope to see you shortly, and we will speak face toface. Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet thefriends by name.
So, what is the problem being addressed in thisletter?…
Diotrephes is teaching that ANY of the travelingbrethren are not to be received in their homes oreven in the church
What is the status of Gaius?…
He is doing the right thing
Gaius Diotrephes
3 John 1 The elder to the beloved Gaius,whom I love in truth.
Who is the writer?…
An elder, probably John the apostle
Written to?..
Gaius
What does John mean by the “love in truth”statement?..
Gaius is a believer.
And remember as we discussed in 2 John, the
“in truth” is the same as “in Christ”
3 John 2 Beloved, I pray that in all respectsyou may prosper and be in good health, justas your soul prospers.
Is this a personal letter?…
Yes
Do you think that John knows Gaius?...
Probably based on the term beloved
What is John’s prayer for Gaius?...
That his health and prosperity are of the same quality ashis spiritual condition!!!!!
How good is the soul (spiritual condition) of Gaius?...
GREAT
Could our brothers in Christ pray the same for us?
If they did, how healthy would you be right now?
Is that maybe a bit scary??
If John prayed for your prosperity to bethe same as your spiritual conditionHow prosperous would you be:
In
Broke
On
Prosperous?
If he prayed that your physicalhealth would be the same as yourspiritual conditionWould you be:
Slightly wounded?
Have just a little cold?
In need of a Doctor?
In need of emergency help?
Dying?
Dead?
Any chance his prayer would find you inperfect shape?
What is your spiritualcondition right now?
3 John 3 For I was very glad when brethrencame and testified to your truth, that is, howyou are walking in truth.
Who is doing the testifying about Gaius?..brethren (believers)
What is their standard for this testimony?…
God’s commandments (in truth)
What did they use as a measurement?..
His walk
Do you think these traveling brethren knew Gaiusbefore their visit?…
Possibly but probably not
If that is the case, what does their comments sayabout the Christian character of Gaius?..
It is extraordinary!!!
He believes the truth, understands the truth andacts it out in his daily walk
If a believer from some other town came andlived in your house, what report would they carryback to their church about you?
4 I have no greater joy than this, to hear of mychildren walking in the truth.
Now, do you think John knew Gaius personally?Do you think that John led him to Christ?...
Sure, that is the reason for John’s reference ofhim (them) as his (child) children
What does walking in the truth mean?…Exercising your faith
3 John 5 Beloved, you are acting faithfully inwhatever you accomplish for the brethren, andespecially when they are strangers;
Again, the very personal reference beloved
The word when indicates that the travelling brethren areboth known and unknown by the beloved
What is acting faithfully?...
Showing the love John described IN DETAIL in his firstletter
In what area is Gaius being faithful?...
For sure in all areas of his treatment of the visitingbrethren..
3 John 6 and they have testified to your love beforethe church. You will do well to send them on theirway in a manner worthy of God.
Not only did the travelers report to John but, theyreported to the entire church of the walk of Gaiusmeasured by the love shown by Gaius
Again, Gaius walks in truth and adheres to the teachingof John:
1John 3:18
My little children, let us not love in word or intongue, but in deed and in truth
How was Gaius treating the travelers?..
In the same way God would
What would you think that consisted of?…
Food, clothing, shelter etc
Again, the question is how would missionaries report ofour love, before the church?
Could they say that you have faithfully supported them?
Praying, offering financial aid, writing to them…
When was the last time we prayed for a missionary?
The last time we financially supported a missionary?
When was the last time we wrote to one?
When was the last time we were involved in ANY waywith a missionary?
How then do we send them on their way?
In a manner worthy of God or in the way of the worldwhich lies in the power of the evil one (1John 5:19)
3 John 7 For they went out for the sake of the Name,accepting nothing from the Gentiles.
Who is the, the Name?...
Jesus Christ (1John 5:1)
Why did the people choose to go out?…
Because they sought to spread the gospel, the goodnews of salvation
Was the spreading of the gospel more important to themthen their personal comfort?..
Yes – no one will choose the life of a missionary withouta true and deep love of God!
How comfortable are we in spreading the gospel?
What does accepting nothing from the Gentilesmean?…
In the day, philosophers would travel the countryspreading their teachings and theories for cash andexpenses. They were in essence supported by theGentiles they taught
A measure of one teaching the true gospel is that theydepended solely on the support of the sending churchand the churches along the way..
What has changed today?..
Nothing
We have multitudes of teachers putting onseminars who are supported by the organizersof the events
And the true missionaries spreading the realgospel being solely supported by the church
3 John 8 Therefore we ought to support such men,so that we may be fellow workers with the truth.
These men went out for the sake of the Name and whatdoes John believe we should do for them?…
support them
What does that mean?…
Prayer, money etc.
When we do support them, what does that make us?..
Fellow workers.
Which means that by supporting them in the ways thatthey need support, we are helpers in the cause.
Remember, we are soldiers in a spiritual battle
As in any army, some are on the front lines fighting,while others are behind the lines providing thenecessary support to keep the troops in the battle!!!!!!
Again, the question is:
what are we doing to keep the army fighting??
What do we leave with?
1.Am I taking care of my soul as well as myhealth?
2.Am I treating my brethren well?
3.Am I acting faithfully to them?
4.Am I supporting the Christian troops?