This week we'll start a study of Third John. Before we take a look at the book verse by verse, let's examine its background.
Dear Heavenly Father, help me to hear and understand your Word. Remove distractions during this study. Thank you for Your Grace and the Scriptures. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
Third John was written by the Apostle John who refers to himself as the "elder." An Apostle is one of the twelve primary disciples of Jesus. It is considered an Epistle which refers to its type of letter writing style. 3 John was written between 85 to 90 A.D. for his friend, Gaius. Some scholars believe it was written while John was in Ephesus. Demetrius delivered the letter as a way for John to introduce Demetrius to Gaius.
During the advent of the Church, missionaries traveled from town to town helping establish new congregations. They focused on urban areas, cities. The Gospel spread by seeing the consistent life of believers. Early Christians didn't have buildings but typically met in people's homes. Missionaries depended upon the hospitality of others during these journeys similar to when Jesus sent out the twelve.
Matthew 10
5 These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: “Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans.6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ 8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. 9 Provide neither gold nor silver nor copper in your money belts, 10 nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staffs; for a worker is worthy of his food.
11 “Now whatever city or town you enter, inquire who in it is worthy, and stay there till you go out. 12 And when you go into a household, greet it.13 If the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it. But if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. 14 And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet. 15 Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!
As you can see, hospitality was crucial to the work of the church. In this book, John applauds the hospitality of Gaius but condemns the actions of Diotrephes. The text shows us how pride can divide Christians. However, with love and discernment, we can battle false teaching and division. I look forward to studying this text.
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