One Year Journey Through the New Testament
3 John 1
Welcome to our journey through the New Testament!
Greeting to Gaius
3 John 1–4 (NKJV)
1 The Elder,
To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth:
2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. 3 For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
Points to Ponder:
- John the elder is writing to Gaius his friend in this third letter.
- He then offers a prayer for his friend’s prosperity and good health as it is connected to his spiritual health and prosperity. John commends his faith in the true gospel. His joy is connected to that fact.
Gaius Commended for Generosity
3 John 5–8 (NKJV)
5 Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the brethren and for strangers, 6 who have borne witness of your love before the church. If you send them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God, you will do well, 7 because they went forth for His name’s sake, taking nothing from the Gentiles. 8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we may become fellow workers for the truth.
Points to Ponder:
- John also commends Gaius for his benevolence toward brethren and strangers and those in the church.
- As Gaius has sent many on the field of ministry, he has done well. John encourages him to continue this practice, entertaining those who share the gospel.
Diotrephes and Demetrius
3 John 9–12 (NKJV)
9 I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us. 10 Therefore, if I come, I will call to mind his deeds which he does, prating against us with malicious words. And not content with that, he himself does not receive the brethren, and forbids those who wish to, putting them out of the church.
11 Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God.
12 Demetrius has a good testimony from all, and from the truth itself. And we also bear witness, and you know that our testimony is true.
Points to Ponder:
- John here names Diotrephes as an enemy of John’s ministry. He has spoken evil of John and his ministry, and does not receive any brethren connected with him.
- He instructs Gaius not to imitate evil, but good. Those who practice evil have not even seen God.
- John then commends Demetrius, who has a good testimony among the brethren and with John and his team.
Farewell Greeting
3 John 13–14 (NKJV)
13 I had many things to write, but I do not wish to write to you with pen and ink; 14 but I hope to see you shortly, and we shall speak face to face.
Peace to you. Our friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.
Points to Ponder:
- John offers the same truncation, hoping to see Gaius soon and speak in person.
- He offers a blessing of peace, and the greeting of his friends. He offers a greeting to Gaius’s friends as well.
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All Scriptures from New King James Version unless otherwise noted.
Join us this afternoon at 5:00 pm for a discussion of this chapter live online. Live@5 with Dr. Greg Sloop can be found on Facebook on the Dr. Greg Sloop page or on the Kannapolis Church of God Facebook page or Youtube page. Another blog will be posted each weekday at 6:00 a.m.
Devoted To You 