3 Johnchapter 1
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Speaks with:2 John 1×31 John 3×11 Corinthians 1×1Romans 16×12 Peter 1×12 Peter 3×1
Summary
Chapter summary
The shortest book in the New Testament, and the only one whose whole subject is hospitality and a church quarrel. 'The elder unto Gaius the beloved, whom I love in truth. Beloved, I pray that in all things thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth' (v2). Brethren bore witness to the truth that is in him ('greater joy have I none than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth' (v4)) for he receives strangers who went forth for the sake of the Name, taking nothing of the Gentiles. Against him stands Diotrephes, 'who loveth to have the preeminence among them,' who casts out those who would receive the brethren. 'Imitate not that which is evil, but that which is good' (v11).
Context
Epistle · John — 3 John overview
- A. 1–8 Gaius: Walking in Truth, Hosting Strangers Well
- B. 9–11 Diotrephes Loves to Be First
- C. 12–14 Demetrius Well Reported; Face to Face Soon
The outline
A.Gaius: Walking in Truth, Hosting Strangers Wellvv. 1 to 8
Read vv. 1 to 8 →B.Diotrephes Loves to Be Firstvv. 9 to 11
Read vv. 9 to 11 →C.Demetrius Well Reported; Face to Face Soonvv. 12 to 14
Read vv. 12 to 14 →
The world behind this chapter
3 John 1The history
Sending travelers on their way 'in a manner worthy of God' names a specific custom: a host provisioned a departing guest with food, money, letters of introduction, and sometimes a companion for the road. It was the difference between a safe journey and a dangerous one.
The missionaries in question accepted nothing from unbelievers, which meant they had no other income. If the believing households did not supply them, the work stopped. That is why hospitality is treated here as partnership in the truth rather than as a courtesy.
Letters of recommendation were the standard way a stranger proved he was who he claimed. This letter is functioning as one for Demetrius, who is vouched for by everyone, by the truth itself, and by the elder personally.
Diotrephes is the picture of the problem. As the man whose house held the meeting, he controlled who spoke and who was admitted, and he was expelling members who welcomed the elder's people. A house church had no structure to overrule him — which is why the elder says he will deal with it when he comes.
What it meant to them
For Gaius, the note was public backing. He had been hosting travelers against the wishes of a powerful man in his own congregation, and this letter told him he was right and that the elder knew.
The letter's whole weight rests on a small sentence: imitate what is good, not what is evil. Two named men stand on either side of it, and everyone hearing it knew both.
Sources cited
- Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament
- Everett Ferguson, Backgrounds of Early Christianity
The text of this chapter
This page carries no textual note on 3 John 1. Where this site has examined a place the manuscripts differ, the examination is in the manuscripts room. Every place this site examines →
This page draws on Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory; John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the New Testament and Matthew Henry, Complete Commentary.