3 John
A thank-you to a generous host, and a word about a man who had to be in charge.
Who wrote it: From 'the elder', unnamed; traditionally John the apostle. Around 90 to 100 AD.
What it is
This is a private letter, the most personal in the New Testament, to a believer named Gaius. The elder has heard that Gaius has been welcoming traveling Christian workers, strangers to him, and sending them on their way with support, and he wants him to know that this is exactly right: by hosting them, Gaius becomes a fellow worker in what they do.
The problem is a man named Diotrephes, who 'loves to be first', refuses to welcome the elder's people, spreads malicious talk about him, and throws out anyone who disagrees. The elder says he will deal with it in person. Then a good word for a man named Demetrius, and the same closing as 2 John: more to say, would rather do it face to face.
Distinctive because it shows the early church as a network of small groups linked by traveling workers, and because it names the problem that has damaged more churches than any heresy: someone who has to be in charge. It offers no theology. It offers a picture of one good man and one bad one, and asks which to imitate.
Verses worth keeping
- 3 John 1:2WEB
Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be healthy, even as your soul prospers.
Gen Zsame meaning, your wordsDear friend, I pray that things go well for you and that you're healthy, just as things are going well for your soul.
A wish for someone's body to keep up with their soul. Not a promise of prosperity; a prayer between friends.
- Gen Zsame meaning, your words
Nothing makes me happier than hearing that my children are living in the truth.
'Children' here means people he had led to faith. A leader's real scorecard.
- 3 John 1:11WEB
Beloved, don’t imitate that which is evil, but that which is good. He who does good is of God. He who does evil hasn’t seen God.
Gen Zsame meaning, your wordsDear friend, don't copy what's evil. Copy what's good. Whoever does good belongs to God. Whoever does evil hasn't seen God.
Written between the description of Diotrephes and the praise of Demetrius. Pick your example.
Read 3 John
The full text, every chapter, from the World English Bible, a modern public-domain translation. Pick a chapter below. The whole book is one short chapter.
3 John 1
1The elder to Gaius the beloved, whom I love in truth.
2Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be healthy, even as your soul prospers. 3For I rejoiced greatly when brothers came and testified about your truth, even as you walk in truth. 4I have no greater joy than this: to hear about my children walking in truth.
5Beloved, you do a faithful work in whatever you accomplish for those who are brothers and strangers. 6They have testified about your love before the assembly. You will do well to send them forward on their journey in a way worthy of God, 7because for the sake of the Name they went out, taking nothing from the Gentiles. 8We therefore ought to receive such, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.
9I wrote to the assembly, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, doesn’t accept what we say. 10Therefore, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words. Not content with this, he doesn’t receive the brothers himself, and those who would, he forbids and throws out of the assembly.
11Beloved, don’t imitate that which is evil, but that which is good. He who does good is of God. He who does evil hasn’t seen God. 12Demetrius has the testimony of all, and of the truth itself; yes, we also testify, and you know that our testimony is true.
13I had many things to write to you, but I am unwilling to write to you with ink and pen; 14but I hope to see you soon. Then we will speak face to face. Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.
Questions about 3 John
Is 3 John 1:2 a promise that Christians will be wealthy and healthy?
It is a standard greeting in ancient letters, the way we write 'hope you're well'. The elder is praying that Gaius's health and circumstances match the state of his soul. It has been used as a proof text for prosperity teaching, but as a private good wish to one man it cannot bear that weight, and the rest of the New Testament, with its shipwrecks and prisons, argues against it.
Who was Diotrephes?
We only know what this letter says: a leader in a local church who wanted to be first, refused to welcome the elder's messengers, talked maliciously, and expelled people who disagreed. Some see an early struggle between local leaders and traveling apostles. Others see a personality problem. Both are probably right.