The Third Letter of John
Written by John "the Presbyter" (verse 1) usually identified with the aged apostle John
Probably written at Ephesus
Written to Gaius, probably a leader of a nearby church, in about A.D. 90
Written to commend Gaius for taking care of visiting missionaries and to point out the inexcusable behavior of Diotrephes
YOUR STALWART FAITH PLEASES ME Read III John 1-4
John the elder addresses his letter to Gaius, his beloved friend. I was delighted [he says] to receive word from the brethren regarding your steadfastness in the truth. Nothing pleases me more than to hear such news.
KEEP UP THE HOSPITALITY Read 5-8
I appreciate the faithful way you have been looking after the missionary brethren who have been visiting you. Keep up the good work, for they are taking no support from the Gentiles to whom they have been sent.
WHO DOES DIOTREPHES THINK HE IS? Read 9-10
I did write something to the church, but Diotrephes has evidently entrenched himself in the drivers' seat and will have nothing to do with us. If I come, I will not forget how he turned
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the people against us with his character assassination, so that all our sympathizers have been expelled.
WE FOLLOW A BETTER EXAMPLE Read 11-14
However, Gaius, we will not follow that kind of example. Demetrius, we are happy to say, is commended by everyone. I won't write any further but hope to see you directly, when we can talk. Peace and best wishes to you. Greet the friends by name.
This short note tells us very little and at the same time very much. Because of its lack of detail, we are unable to locate the letter with any precision either geographically or chronologically. Nowhere in the 14 verses is Jesus Christ mentioned, although that fact probably is not significant. Diotrephes and Demetrius, the two leaders who are briefly described, are not identified further.
Yet this is a memorable letter, for in it the character of Diotrephes is so classically sketched in two verses (9, 10) that he has become a prototype of a well-known menace to the Christian cause, the ecclesiastical politician.
Study this man carefully. Let the discussion in your group revolve around the problem of the persistence of sin in the life of the redeemed. What, after all, are the criteria of the Christian life (James 1:22)? With respect to the clergy, does the church of Christ transform a man's will to power, or simply clothe it in a black suit? Does it provide a corrective (1 John 1:9)?
Ask, too, whether the world-wide commission of the church could be carried on if there were no proper organization with aggressive leadership.
