3 JOHN
THEME: The aged Apostle had written to a church which allowed one Diotrephes to exercise an authority common enough in later ages, but wholly new in the primitive churches. Diotrephes had rejected the apostolic letters and authority. It appears also that he had refused the ministry of the visiting brethren (3Jn 1:10), and cast out those that had received them. Historically, this letter marks the beginning of that clerical and priestly assumption over the churches in which the primitive church order disappeared. This Epistle reveals, as well, the believer's resource in such a day. No longer writing as an apostle, but as an elder, John addresses this letter, not to the church as such, but to a faithful man in the church for the comfort and encouragement of those who were standing fast in the primitive simplicity. Second John conditions the personal walk of the Christian in a day of apostasy; Third John the personal responsibility in such a day of the believer as a member of the local church. The key-phrase is "the truth" (Jamieson)
In this epistle the apostle congratulates Gaius upon the prosperity of his soul (v. 1, 2), upon the fame he had among good Christians (v. 3, 4), and upon his charity and hospitality to the servants of Christ (v. 5, 6). He complains of contemptuous treatment by an ambitious Diotrephes (v. 9, 10), recommends Demetrius (v. 12), and expresses his hope of visiting Gaius shortly (v. 13, 14).
Matthew Henry
1 From the Elder - To my dear Gaius, whom I truly love.
2 My dear friend, I pray that everything may go well with you and that you may be in good health - as I know you doing well in your spiritual life.
3 I was so happy when some Christians(brothers) arrived and told me how faithful you are to the truth - just as you always live in the truth.
4 Nothing makes me happier than to hear that my children live in the truth.
5 My dear friend, you are so faithful in the work you do for other Christians(brethren), even when they are strangers.
6 They have spoken to the church here about your love. Please help them to continue their trip in a way that will please God.
7 For they set out on their trip in HIS service; without accepting any help from unbelievers.
8 We, then, must help these people, so that we may share in their work for the truth.
9 I wrote a short letter to the church; but Diotrephes, who likes to be their leader, will not pay any attention to what I say.
10 When I come, I will report some of the things he is doing and the wicked things he is saying about us. He not only refuses to welcome the traveling teachers, he also tells others not to help them. And when they do help, he puts them out of the church.
11 My dear friend, do not imitate what is bad, but imitate what is good. Whoever does good belongs to God; whoever does what is bad has not seen God {nor does His will}.
12 Everyone speaks well of Demetrius; and the truth itself speaks well of him. And we add our testimony, and you know that what we say is true.
13 I have so much to tell you, but I do not want to do it with pen and ink.
14 I hope to see you soon, and then we will talk personally, face to face.
Not in KJV version
15 Peace be with you. All your friends send greetings. Greet all our friends personally.
NOTES: John was welcomed in his own church that he founded. We can see the same evil forces then, that trap many in the Church of God today. Many want to be leaders for their own benefit and not for the sake of God! We must always respect the proven leaders of the church, as long as they follow Christ!
