3 John
3 John is a very personal letter between the apostle John, the one whom Jesus loved (John 13:23), and Gaius, who was an elder in a position of leadership in a local church. 3 John follows on from two previous letters that John wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. 1 John is a general letter that is believed to have been read by more than one church community. 2 and 3 John are more personal letters that address more specific topics and themes.
Love
Four times in the letter of 3 John, he refers to Gaius as ‘beloved’. This expresses a key theme and concept in all of John’s writing; the theme of covenant love between God and his Church, and amongst God’s people. During his earlier life, John reclined onto the chest of his Saviour Jesus, and from this place and position of intimacy, he heard the heartbeat of God himself; the heartbeat of the Messiah that beats with the rhythm of covenant love. In Christ, we have a glorious inheritance of love within the covenant that God has made with his people through Christ.
Truth
Six times in the letter, John refers to truth. Here, John expresses the importance of the truth of the gospel, the truth that is found in the life that is in Christ. John exhorts and encourages Gaius to ‘walk in the truth’, ‘work together for the truth’ and to continue in ‘faithfulness to the truth’. As an elder in a local church, Gaius would have the calling and responsibility to correctly handle the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15) in his lifestyle, actions, teaching and integrity. 3 John provides a reminder of the importance of preaching and living by the truth of the gospel.
The Heart of the Apostle
John’s heart as an apostle comes across in verse 2 of the book. His heart as a father to his fellow ministry Gaius is seen in how he prays that he would know good health, and that his soul would prosper. John shows his heart and concern for the whole of Gaius’s life. Prayer is always at the heart of an apostle and this is seen in the early verses of this book. John speaks of his joy of knowing that his children are walking in the truth; again we see the father heart of an apostle to his church family. Paul the apostle writes more on this subject in 1 Corinthians 2:14-16.
Hospitality
One of the hallmarks of the early church was the close sense of community and fellowship that they enjoyed. This was facilitated and enhanced by the opening of one another’s homes for hospitality and meeting together. John encourages Gauis in one of his mandates as an elder to show hospitality to fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Here we see the development of ministries travelling in the country and regions to preach and proclaim the gospel of the Kingdom. Churches were encouraged to show love to these men and women, by hosting and accommodating them, sharing their food with them and extending the hand of fellowship through the context of hospitality. This example is still important and relevant in our technological age that we live in today. Hospitality and community reflect the nature of God himself and are counter-cultural in present Western societies; they mirror something eternally powerful of the Kingdom of God and his covenant through the simple act of eating and meeting together.
Restoring through Discipline
The middle part of the letter addresses the issue of a falling out with Diotrephes. It appears that he was in a prominent position in the church. John deals firmly and directly with this issue; as an apostle he would be concerned for the health and life of the church. Here we see that challenging and exposing that which is not in line with the plan and purpose of God is necessary to achieve God’s plan of restoration. God is restoring his church to be the spotless, mature and radiant bride ready for the return of King Jesus. Evil is always overcome by good and John then contrasts the divisive Diotrephes with Demetrius who is an example of living by the truth, and who is spoken well of by everyone
Peace
‘Peace to you’ was a common signing off to many letters in the New Testament. However, with the situation relating to Diotrephes, it would appear to be even more important and relevant for Gauis and the church he was leading. Peace in the biblical sense is not just an absence of war and conflict, but conveys the heart of God to bless his people, for them to enjoy well-being and health and for them to know success and prosperity in all that they do.
Although a short letter, 3 John shows a wide of variety of pastoral and kingdom truths that we see and can live out as we walk in the fear of the Lord and the comfort of the Holy Spirit. The work of restoration involves the health, well-being and success of the local church in advancing the Kingdom. In Christ, we know the full extent of the Father’s love and from that place of security and peace we can love one another, as Christ loves the Church.
Gavin White
King’s Church Manchester
