Much like 2 John, this letter had very limited circulation in the early church, but was accepted as authoritative on account of its apostolic authorship. Its style and vocabulary strongly resemble that of John’s Gospel and other epistles.
TIMES: AD 89-95
KEY VERSES: 3 Jn 2; 3 Jn 11
THEME: Third John has two main purposes. The first is to commend Gaius for being hospitable to itinerant missionaries. The second is to advise Gaius about Diotrephes, a man in the church who refuses to help the same kind of missionaries and who even gossips about them.
You Walk in the Truth
Verse 2 Beloved, I pray that in every way you may succeed and prosper and be in good health [physically], just as [I know] your soul prospers [spiritually].
2 May succeed and prosper in good health. John’s greeting may imply that Gaius was physically weak though spiritually strong. It is also probable that John was following the pattern of greeting common to Greek letters.
Verse 3 I was greatly pleased when brothers came and testified of how you were walking in truth
Verse 4 I have no greater joy than this, to hear that my [spiritual] children are living [their lives] in the truth.
4 My [spiritual] children. This is a description Paul uses of those he has led to saving faith in Christ (1 Cor. 4:14-17) and may indicate that Gaius was one of John’s converts. It also may be a term John uses to describe those under his pastoral care as reflected in 1 John 2:1, 12, 18; 3:7, 18; 4:4; 5:21.
5-12 You are acting faithfully. In these verses, John affirms Gaius’ responsibility to assist Demetrius despite the opposition of Diotrephes and his expulsion of those who receive traveling missionaries.
7 Gentiles. In this case the term refers to unbelievers, not to Gentile Christians. The majority of Christians in the churches of Asia Minor were Gentile converts rather than Jewish.
Verse 11 Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but [imitate] what is good. The one who practices good [exhibiting godly character, moral courage, and personal integrity] is of God; the one who practices [or permits or tolerates] evil has not seen God [he has no personal experience with Him and does not know Him at all]. [1 John 3:6]
11 Has not seen God. Our sin is the result of a faulty vision of God. Therefore, the Scriptures encourage us to look at Christ (2 Cor 3:18); 4:16-18; Heb 12:2-3), for the day when we see Him perfectly will be the day that we will be like Him. (1Jn 3:2-3)
Verse 12 Demetrius has received a good testimony and commendation from everyone—and from the truth [the standard of God’s word] itself; and we add our testimony and speak well of him, and you know that our testimony is true.
12 From the truth [the standard of God’s word] itself. Demetrius’ life measured up to the teaching of Scripture and Christ’s commands. His conduct matched his theology.
Verse 13 I had many things [to say when I began] to write to you, but I prefer not to put it down with pen (reed) and black (ink).
Verse 14 but I hope to see you soon, and we will speak face to face [Num. 12:8]
Verse 15 Peace be to you. The friends [here] greet you. Greet the friends [personally] by name.
CONCLUSION
Our sin is the result of a faulty vision of God. Therefore, the Scriptures encourage us to look at Christ, for the day when we see Him perfectly will be the day that we will be like Him. (1Jn 3:2-3) Keep your eyes on Jesus the one who is a mirror of God the Father Himself. God sends us a powerful message by the way of His apostle John which is He wants us to succeed, prosper and be in good health just as [He knows] our soul prospers [spiritually].
Are you keeping your eyes on Christ? What are your challenges? Feel free to comment below.