Where it fits

Third John is the twenty-fifth book of the New Testament, with one chapter of 14 verses. It is written by “the elder,” the same title as in 2 John, to a man named Gaius, whom he loves “in truth” (v. 1). Gaius was a common name, so we can't tell which Gaius this was. Tradition names the apostle John as the elder, and the letter was probably written late in the first century, in the same setting as 1 and 2 John. It never mentions Jesus by name, though it speaks of “the Name” (v. 7), and it gives a rare look at the everyday life and politics of an early church. Read straight through, it takes about two minutes.

Who, to whom, and why

The elder starts with a prayer for Gaius' health and well-being (v. 2) and says his greatest joy is to hear that his children are walking in the truth (v. 4). Gaius has been welcoming traveling believers, even strangers, and these friends have told the church about his love (vv. 5–6). The elder says Gaius does well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God, since they went out for the sake of “the Name” and took nothing from outsiders (vv. 6–7). Believers ought to support people like this, and in doing so they become fellow workers with the truth (v. 8).

Then the letter turns. The elder had written to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, would not accept it (vv. 9–10). He was spreading malicious nonsense about the elder, refusing to welcome traveling believers, and throwing out anyone who tried to. The elder says he will come and deal with it (v. 10), and urges Gaius not to imitate evil but good (v. 11). The letter ends with praise for Demetrius, who has a good testimony from everyone and from the truth itself (v. 12), and a short farewell: the elder has much more to say but would rather talk face to face (vv. 13–14).

Three ideas to hold on to

1. Hospitality is a way of sharing in God's work. The elder says that by supporting traveling believers, Gaius joins them as a fellow worker with the truth (v. 8).
2. Pride is dangerous in a church. Diotrephes “loves to be first” (v. 9), and it leads him to reject the elder's authority, slander others, and shut out the very people God was sending.
3. Good character speaks for itself. Demetrius is praised not for a title but for a reputation that holds up (v. 12). The elder tells Gaius to imitate what is good (v. 11).

Passages people ask about

• 3 John 2. A prayer for Gaius' health. See the misunderstanding below.
• 3 John 3–4. The elder's joy when his spiritual children walk in the truth.
• 3 John 5–8. Gaius' hospitality, and the call to support traveling workers.
• 3 John 9–10. Diotrephes, the leader who put himself first.
• 3 John 11–12. Imitate what is good, and a word of praise for Demetrius.

How it points to Jesus

Third John never says Jesus' name, but everything in it depends on him. Believers go out “for the sake of the Name” (v. 7), the early church's way of speaking about Jesus, and the letter's picture of generous hospitality, humility, and truth is what Jesus taught and lived. Diotrephes' desire to be first is the opposite of Jesus, who said that whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all (Mark 9:35).

A common misunderstanding

Third John 2 is sometimes used to teach that God promises wealth and health to every believer. It is an ordinary greeting. Ancient letters often opened with a wish for the reader's good health, and John is saying he hopes Gaius' body is doing as well as his soul. It is a kind wish, not a promise, and not a formula for prosperity.