Work together for the truth
3 John 1-14
Key verse: 8 “We ought therefore to show hospitality to such men so that we may work together for the truth
About 3 John:
The epistle known as 3 John is the shortest letter in the New Testament. Like 2 John, it is from the Elder but, unlike 2 John, it is addressed to an individual--Gaius--and not to a local congregation, although the letter may well have been intended for a wider audience. The purpose of 3 John is to encourage Gaius to continue extending hospitality to traveling evangelist and coworkers, especially those who come from the Elder or who are loyal to him. In particular, the Elder urges Gaius' reception of one missionary named Demetrius (v. 12). It may well be that Demetrius is carrying 3 John to Gaius and that the letter serves as something of an introduction of and reference for Demetrius. The Elder must call Gaius to his aid since an individual named Diotrephes--who is apparently exerting considerable influence--has placed himself in opposition to the Elder by failing to support the Elder's messengers. The Elder has already written one letter to the congregation of which Diotrephes is a part (v. 9), but apparently that letter was ignored. So the Elder now turns to Gaius, and asks for him to undertake the work of hospitality that Diotrephes has refused to do (vv. 9-10).
1. Read verses 1-4. How does the author introduce himself? (1a) Who does he write his letter to? (1b) What is his prayer to Gaius? (2) What was the source of his great joy? (3, 4)
1-1) Read verses 1-4.
The elder, to my dear friend Gaius, whom I love in the truth.2 Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well. 3 It gave me great joy when some believers came and testified about your faithfulness to the truth, telling how you continue to walk in it. 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
1-2) How does the author introduce himself? (1a)
The elder, the author apostle John refers to himself only as the Elder (ho presbyteros) as in 2 John. Literally the word means someone who is old, but because those who were old were deemed to have wisdom and experience that qualified them to be leaders, an "elder" was someone who was also in a position of authority (Acts 11:30; 1 Pet 5:1; 1 Tim 5:17; Tit 1:5).
1-3) Who does he write his letter to? (1b)
Unlike 2 John, it is addressed to an individual--Gaius--and not to a local congregation, although the letter may well have been intended for a wider audience. He called him as dear friend (2,5,11), who was a known coworker. This may be different nuance from dear children (2 John)
1-4) What is his prayer to Gaius? (2)
2 Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.
The author prays for his good health, all his doing and his soul as well.
1-5) What was the source of his great joy? (3, 4)
3 It gave me great joy when some believers came and testified about your faithfulness to the truth, telling how you continue to walk in it. 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
His great joy came from the testimony of the believers about Gaius’ faithfulness to the truth how he continued to walk in it.
2. Read verses 5-8. In what respect was he spoken well of? (5, 6) For what sake did the brothers go out? (7a, Rom 1:5) Why did they need help?(7b) Why should we show hospitality toward such men? (8)
2-1) Read verses 5-8.
5 Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers and sisters,[ HYPERLINK "http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=3+John+1&version=NIV" \l "fen-NIV-30664a" \o "See footnote a" a] even though they are strangers to you. 6 They have told the church about your love. Please send them on their way in a manner that honors God. 7 It was for the sake of the Name that they went out, receiving no help from the pagans. 8 We ought therefore to show hospitality to such people so that we may work together for the truth.
2-2) In what respect was he spoken well of? (5, 6)
Gaius was known for helping for the brothers and sisters (traveling evangelists) sacrificially, even though he did not know them personally (5). He treated them with love and in a manner that honors God (6).
2-3) For what sake did the brothers go out? (7a, Rom 1:5)
These missionaries and traveling evangelists went out to preach the gospel for the sake of Jesus’ name.
2-4) Why did they need help? (7b)
Obviously, the pagan would not help them and they need various help materially as well as with spiritual encouragement
2-5) Why should we show hospitality toward such men? (8)
For the kingdom purpose, we should show hospitality to such servants of God so that we may work together for the truth. All Christians are brothers and sisters in the kingdom.
3. Read verses 9-10. What did Diotrephes love to be? (9) What was Diotrephes doing which the author calls attention to? (10).
3-1) Read verses 9-10.
9 I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not welcome us. 10 So when I come, I will call attention to what he is doing, spreading malicious nonsense about us. Not satisfied with that, he even refuses to welcome other believers. He also stops those who want to do so and puts them out of the church.
3-2) What did Diotrephes love to be? (9)
He loves to be first (9): He was proud and may be immature spiritually. He did not welcome the coworkers from the apostle (9).
3-3) What was Diotrephes doing which the author calls attention to? (10).
Apparently, Diotrephes was in a position of authority and influence in the local congregation. The author paid attention to what he was doing and his malicious gossiping about John’s ministry. He refused to accept other believers and he wielded his power to stop someone who wanted to help the evangelists and expelled them from the church.
4. Read verses 11-14. What did the author tell us to do? (11) Who is from God and who has not seen God? (11) Who is the another good example of being faithful in the truth? (12) What is the author’s plan involving his friend? (13) What are his final greetings? (14)
4-1) Read verses 11-14.
11 Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God. 12 Demetrius is well spoken of by everyone —and even by the truth itself. We also speak well of him, and you know that our testimony is true. 13 I have much to write you, but I do not want to do so with pen and ink. 14 I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face. Peace to you. The friends here send their greetings. Greet the friends there by name.
4-2) What did the author tell us to do? (11)
11 Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.
4-3) Who is from God and who has not seen God? (11)
Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.
4-4) Who is another good example of being faithful in the truth? (12)
Demetrius was another good example. He was well spoken of by even everyone-and even by the truth itself. He was also recognized by the apostle John and spiritual leaders.
4-5) What is the author’s plan involving his friend? (13)
He was planning to visit him in person soon.
4-6) What are his final greetings? (14)
Peace to you. The friends here send their greetings. Greet the friends there by name.
The end.
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