3 John 1

The Explanation

The third letter of John is really short. It fits on one page. It looks more like a note you would write to a friend than a Bible book. John, who was already an old man by then, writes to someone he calls Gaius. He calls him "the beloved" and says he loves him "in truth." That means: not just with nice words, but really.

John begins with a wish that sounds strange to us. He hopes Gaius is doing well and is healthy, just as it goes well with his soul. So John already knows: on the inside, with God, everything is fine with Gaius. Now he hopes the outside matches.

Then something interesting happens. Travelers came by, Christians who journeyed from town to town to tell about Jesus. Gaius took them in. He gave them food, a bed, and probably some money for the road. John heard about it and is happy. He calls it "walking in the truth." He writes: nothing gives me greater joy than to hear that my children walk in the truth.

But there is also a problem. A man named Diotrephes is causing trouble in the church. He wants to be the boss. He speaks badly about John, he refuses to welcome the traveling brothers, and he even throws people out of the church who do want to welcome them. John says he will come by and address it.

Then John names someone else: Demetrius. About him everyone speaks well, and the truth itself speaks well of him. He is an example.

At the end, John writes that he still has much to say, but he would rather do it face to face. Greet the friends by name, he says. And then the letter is finished.

What Does This Mean?

This letter shows what a church really is. Not a building, but people who know each other by name, who take each other in, who help travelers. John uses the word "truth" all the time. For him, truth is not just: what is factually correct. Truth is: living the way God is. Honest, faithful, hospitable.

And you see three types of people. Gaius, who quietly does good. Diotrephes, who wants to be important and pushes others down. And Demetrius, of whom everyone says: yes, he is genuine. John does not hide that there are conflicts in the church. He names Diotrephes by name. That is honest.

The Common Thread

Jesus once said that people would recognize His followers by their love for one another. That is exactly what John is writing about. Taking in strangers who tell about Jesus is not extra credit, it belongs to who you are as a Christian.

There is also a bigger thread. From Abraham on, God has asked His people to be hospitable. Angels came to visit Abraham. Israel had to take in strangers because they themselves had been strangers in Egypt. And Jesus said: whoever takes in one of the least, takes in Me. Gaius does exactly that. He continues an old line that runs through the whole Bible.

For You

You may notice that there is a Diotrephes in almost every group. Someone who wants to be the boss, who talks about others, who decides who belongs and who does not. Sometimes at school, sometimes in a sports club, sometimes in church. And sometimes, honestly, that person is inside yourself.

John does not say: fight back and become the boss yourself. He points to Gaius and Demetrius. Just quietly do good. Take someone in who is standing alone. Say something kind about someone whom others speak badly of. You do not have to be famous or important. God sees it, and He remembers.

And one more thing. John writes: I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in the truth. Somewhere there is someone who prays for you and who is glad when you follow Jesus. Perhaps a grandma, a parent, a leader. That is worth something.

Talk About It

Why do you think John names Diotrephes by name in his letter? Is that not a bit harsh?

Who are the "traveling brothers" in your life, people you could welcome or help? And what makes that sometimes difficult?

Praying Together

Lord Jesus, thank You that You know us by name. Help us to be like Gaius, quietly doing good, without needing to be seen. Keep our hearts small when we are tempted to be the boss. And thank You for the people who pray for us. Amen.