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ANOINTING OIL DYNAMICS LTD Training Platform Mobile: 1-868-334-AODL / 345-AOIL H.E. Dr. Isaac Shadrack (CDKA, DCPC) 1-868-683-9883/394-9029 Menorah Castle, Debe e-mail: [email protected] TRINIDAD, West Indies [email protected] Website www.anointingoildynamics.com

Book of Third John By Isaac Shadrack (Dip Theo, BA, MA, DD, PhD.) (Ps 119:98-100)

Introduction and Title—In First discusses fellowship with God; in Second John he forbids fellowship with false teachers; and in Third John he encourages fellowship with Christian brothers. Following his expression of love for Gaius, John assures him of his prayers for his health and voices his joy over Gaius’ persistent walk in truth and for the manner in which he shows hospitality and support for missionaries who have come to his church. The phrase “send them forward on their journey” means to provide help for the missionaries’ endeavors. Included in this help can be food, money, arrangements for companions, and means of travel. By supporting these men who are ministering for , Gaius has become a fellow worker of the truth. But not everyone in the church feels the same way. ’ heart is 180 degrees removed from Gaius’ heart. He is no longer living in love. Pride has taken precedence in his life. He has refused a letter John has written for the church, fearing that his authority might be superseded by that of the apostle. He also has accused John of evil words and refused to accept missionaries. He forbids others to do so and even expels them from the church if they disobey him. John uses this negative example as an opportunity to encourage Gaius to continue his hospitality. Demetrius has a good testimony and may even be one of those turned away by Diotrephes. He is widely known for his good character and his loyalty to the truth. Here he is well commended by John and stands as a positive example for Gaius.

Author—The authorship of Second and Third John was considered together because the contents and circumstances of both books are similar (see “Author” in Second John). Although the external evidence for Second and Third John is limited (there is even less for Third John than for Second John), what little there is consistently points to the apostle John as author. The internal evidence is stronger, and it, too, supports the apostolic origin of both letters.

Date and Setting—The parallels between Second and Third John suggest that these were written at about the same time (A.D. 90). Early Christian writers are unified in their testimony that the headquarters of John’s later ministry was in Ephesus, the principal city of the Roman province of Asia (see “Date and Setting” in First John). John evidently commissioned a number of traveling teachers to spread the and to solidify the Asian churches, and these teachers were supported by believers who received them into their homes. Third John, probably delivered by Demetrius, was occasioned by the report of some of these emissaries (called “brethren” in this letter), who returned to the apostle and informed him of the hospitality of Gaius and the hostility of Diotrephes. The arrogant Diotrephes seized the reins of an Asian church and vaunted himself as its preeminent authority. He maligned John’s authorship and rejected the teachers sent out by John, expelling those in his church who wanted to receive them. Gaius was a common name in the Roman Empire, and three other men by that name are mentioned in the : (1) Gaius, one of Paul’s traveling companions from Macedonia (:29) (2) Gaius of (:4)

1 (3) Gaius, Paul’s host in Corinth, one of the few Corinthians Paul baptized (see Rom. 16:23; 1 Cor. 1:14). The Gaius of Third John evidently lived in Asia, and it is best to distinguish him from these other men. In verse 9, John alludes to a previous letter that Diotrephes had spurned. This may have been First or Second John, but it is more likely a letter that has been lost or perhaps destroyed by Diotrephes.

Theme and Purposes The basic theme of this letter is the contrast between the truth and servanthood of Gaius and the error and selfishness of Diotrephes. Moving through Third John, five specific purposes can be discerned from its contents: (1) To commend Gaius for his adherence to the truth and his hospitality to the emissaries sent out by John (1–6a) (2) To encourage Gaius to continue his support of these brethren (6b–8) (3) To rebuke Diotrephes for his pride and misconduct (9–11) (4) To provide a recommendation for Demetrius (12) (5) To inform Gaius of John’s intention to visit and straighten out the difficulties (10a,13–14).

Keys to Third John— Key Word: Fellowship with the Brethren Key Verse (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” (v. 11).

Christ in Third John—Unlike First and Second John, Third John makes no mention of the name of Christ. But verse 7 says they “went forth for His name’s sake” an indirect reference to our Lord (cf. Acts 5:41, where the identical Greek construction is used to refer to “the name of Jesus” in Acts 5:40). The concept of truth runs throughout this letter, and Christ is the source and incarnation of truth, as is obvious from John’s other writings.

Contribution to the —This is characteristically Johannine, emphasizing the themes of love, truth, and joy which are so prominent in John’s gospel and other epistles. The length, style, and mood of Second and Third John are quite similar. Both epistles use similar phraseology and structure:

Second John Third John “Love” (4 times) “Love” (2 times) & “Beloved” (4 times) “Truth” (5 times) “Truth” (6 times) “The elder…whom I love in truth” (1) “The elder…whom I love in truth” (1) Expresses joy over the report of the readers Expresses joy over the report of the reader “Walking in truth” (4) “Walk in (the) truth” (3–4) Warns against hospitality to enemies of the truth Encourages hospitality to teachers of the truth Commendation followed by rebuke Commendation followed by rebuke Condemnation of bad doctrine Condemnation of bad conduct Short letter due to planned visit (12) Short letter due to planned visit (13–14)

While Second and Third John do not make any real doctrinal contributions to the Bible that are not found in First John, they give important insights into the life and struggles of the church at the close of the

2 apostolic age. Even the churches that were under the care of the apostle John were constantly threatened by unorthodox doctrine and conduct. In spite of its brevity, Third John skillfully develops the characters of Gaius and Diotrephes with surprising vividness. This letter gives us a glimpse into the kind of frank and personal correspondence that the apostle John and other early Christian leaders maintained.

Survey of Third John—Third John is the shortest book in the Bible, but it is very personal and vivid. It offers a stark contrast between two men who respond in opposite ways to the itinerant teachers who have been sent out by the apostle. The faithful Gaius responds with generosity and hospitality, but the faithless Diotrephes responds with arrogance and opposition. Thus, John writes this letter to commend Gaius for walking in the truth (vv. 1–8) and to condemn Diotrephes for walking in error (vv. 9–14). Commendation of Gaius (vv. 1–8): The “elder” writes to one of his beloved “children” whose godly behavior has given the apostles great joy (vv. 1–4). The “brethren,” upon returning to John, have informed him of Gaius’ faithfulness, love, and generosity in their behalf. The apostle acknowledges these actions and urges Gaius to continue supporting traveling teachers and missionaries who go out “for His [Jesus’] name’s sake” (vv. 5–8). Condemnation of Diotrephes (vv. 9–14): The epistle suddenly shifts to a negative note as John describes a man whose actions are diametrically opposed to those of Gaius (vv. 9–11). Diotrephes boldly rejects John’s apostolic authority and refuses to receive the itinerant teachers sent out by the apostle. Diotrephes evidently has been orthodox in his doctrine, but his evil actions indicate blindness to God in his practice. By contrast, John gives his full recommendation to Demetrius, another emissary and probably the bearer of this letter to Gaius (v. 12). John expresses his hope of a personal visit in the closing remarks (vv. 13–14), as he does in Second John. 1

OUTLINE

I. Gaius, Beloved Brother in the Early Church, Verses 1–8 (Gaius, the one to whom the letter is addressed, is urged to extend hospitality to true teachers of the Word.)

II. Diotrephes, “who loveth to have the preeminence,” Verses 9–11 (Evil deeds are an expression of false doctrine.)

III. Demetrius “hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself,” Verses 12–14 (A good life is an expression of true doctrine.)2

John wrote this letter to his friend Gaius to encourage him in a difficult situation in his local church. Again, he concentrated on making God’s truth a vital part of life. Walking in truth (1–4). People could see the truth in Gaius because he loved it and walked in obedience to it, and that brought great joy to John. Every Christian parent can echo verse 4 and even make it a prayer. Working for truth (5–8). When you assist and encourage God’s servants, you become a fellow worker with them in spreading the truth. Christian hospitality was important in those days and ought to be revived today.

1Bruce Wilkinson and Kenneth Boa, Talk thru the Bible [computer file], electronic ed., Logos Library System, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson) 1997, c1983. 2J. Vernon McGee, Thru the Bible commentary [computer file], electronic ed., Logos Library System, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson) 1997, c1981 by J. Vernon McGee. 3

Welcoming the truth (9–10). Can you imagine Diotrephes rejecting a message from the apostle John! He was so “separated” that he did not even receive John’s friends. When we welcome God’s people, we welcome God’s truth.

Witnessing for the truth (11–14). Not all church members are like Diotrephes; there are people like Demetrius who love the truth and live it. They are the ones who make the local church healthy (v. 2).3

3Warren W. Wiersbe, With the word Bible commentary [computer file], electronic ed., Logos Library System, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson) 1997, c1991 by Warren W. Wiersbe. 4