Situation (Summary):
The Book of Third
John in the Bible was written by the Apostle John. The book contrasts the works and life of
Gaius and Diotrephes. Through these
comparisons, the book of Third John demonstrates that pride can divide
Christians. The book also shows that
hospitality can encourage and support. 3
John 8 states "We therefore ought to receive such, that we may become
fellow workers for the truth."
Background:
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 to Gaius 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.
Third John was
studied verse by verse over the course of 2018.
Please find links to those studies below.
Analysis:
2 Timothy 3:16-17
states "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable
for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." As part of our review of Third John, let's
see if the text fulfills the requirements stated in 2 Timothy by the Apostle
Paul.
"Doctrine"
in the Greek is didaskalia which means
instruction, teaching, applied teaching, Christian doctrine as it especially
extends to its necessary lifestyle
applications, precepts (a general rule intended to regulate behavior or
thought). Third John instructs the
believer in several passages on how to live the Christian life. Please find the applications summarized below
from the verse by verse study.
- 3 John 1: We should all strive to be loved by God because of our deeds and truth by following God's will in our lives. We need to be sincere, free of false displays of feelings, deceit, and hypocrisy. We need to stand in moral uprightness with honest, strong principles of Christ.
- 3 John 4: As Christians, we dedicate our lives to the One who saved us from our sin. In his thanksgiving statement for this letter, John shows us the ultimate goal for all Christians. We should live sincerely and straightforwardly respecting God. We should relinquish control of our lives and totally rely on Him. But how do we achieve this? First, we need to understand that our lives aren't bound by fate or luck but by God's plan. Second, we need to grow deeper in our relationship with God by filling our minds and time with His word. Third, we need to love others and serve them. Jesus stated this better than I could ever write when he said in Mark 12:30-31, "And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
"Reproof"
in the Greek is elegchos which means
proof, persuasion, inner conviction focuses on God confirming His inbirthing of
faith, that by which invisible things are proved (and we are convinced of their
reality), convicting
one of his sinfulness. By
describing other people's actions, Third John convicts each one of us to live
for Christ. Please find the convictions
summarized below from the verse by verse study.
- 3 John 3: Do I rejoice when God uses others? Do I respect the deeds of others done for Christ? Do I testify of the truth that is in others? In John's thanksgiving, he passionately highlights how Gaius lives as all Christians should live. John has no trouble pointing to other people's walk. He is encouraged and refreshed by seeing others live for Christ. Never let your own ambitions or worldly desires (e.g. to be liked on Facebook, Instagram or whatever) cloud your thoughts of God moving in other people lives. Give God the glory and be encouraged that Christ works in all of us.
- 3 John 5: "Worthy" in the Greek is either axioo which means matching value to actual substance or axios which means God's balance scale of truth. A worthy person is honorable, meritorious. Specifically, the person has credible (worthy of belief, esteem, and praise) conduct, good reputation, deserving of respect, integrity, and a keen sense of duty. Am I worthy of being called a Christian? Romans 7:18 states "For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find." It is not me who is worthy but Christ who lives within me as a believer. Romans 8:1 states "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit." However, that doesn't mean I can neglect the brethren or the strangers. For James 2:14 states "What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?" How do people know that I'm a Christian, by the fruit of my works. How am I able to do these works, only by the grace of God and the power of the Holy Spirit. Am I worthy? Christ makes me worthy and the Holy Spirit enables me to live worthy.
- 3 John 9: Do you always have to be first? Do you always have to be correct? Do you ignore others because you are better than them? If so, why do you? I've seen people so consumed to always be correct or right that they will destroy those friendships. I've seen people be snooty and snotty because they feel superior. These people have a need to fill. They are empty inside. They have a hunger that they try to cure by being better than anyone else. They are addicted to the feeling of preeminence. This concept can be summarized by the word, "pride." In the New King James Version (NKJV) of the Bible, "pride" appears over 51 times. Proverbs 11:2 states "When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom." Proverbs 16:18 states "Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall." Proverbs 29:23 states "A man’s pride will bring him low, But the humble in spirit will retain honor." In Mark 7:20-22, Jesus said "What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile a man." If you suffer from a superiority complex, a psychological defense mechanism in which a person's feelings of superiority counter or conceal his or her feelings of inferiority, there is good news. Let's be truthful here, if you have to be first, correct, or ignore others because you feel better than them, you are plugging up the empty void in your life. But, God loves you. Philippians 2:5-11 states "Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Christ died for you. He paid your debt. All He asks is to believe in Him and what He did for you. Be freed. Accept His free gift.
- 3 John 10: As the world's morals fade away from Christian teachings, our definition of words change or at least how we use them. Intolerant is defined as NOT showing willingness to allow the existence of opinions or behavior that one does not necessarily agree or differs from one's own. This word is now being used as a sledge hammer to people who don't conform to the world's morality. If the world says, you must like ducks. However, if you hate them because the quacking is annoying, you are intolerant. Your opinion cannot exist. It must be expunged from reality. What makes this use of the word dangerous is that the world's morality changes. Therefore one day, you can be on the right side of history and the next day be banished. As we read in this verse, this use of intolerance is not new. Diotrephes is systematically culling his congregation to conform to his ideas by not allowing the missionaries into his church and also by removing anyone that sympathizes with them. Throughout history, this is Satan's convenient strategy that has been employed over and over again, most recently with Soviet communism. We must hold onto the Truth and use the Truth to counter respectfully other people's ideas and opinions. By being gracious and fair in our discussions, we can model Christ and continue to spread the Gospel.
- 3 John 12: So, what is God's standard. What is this good testimony that will keep us from reproach and the snare of the devil? Our life needs to be innocent of wrongdoing, be committed to family, have self control over temptations, be logical, do the right thing, be welcoming, be a mentor, not love money, and be humble in all things. Let me just say that is impossible! Ah, but what did Demetrius have or how could he have this good testimony? He has what all believers in Christ have, God's helper, the Holy Spirit. When you cease control over your life and follow the Holy Spirit's direction, you will have a "good testimony." We may fail, but we will never lose.
"Correction"
in the Greek is epanorthósis
which means reformation, setting
straight/right again, restored to its original proper condition, referring to
something that is aptly "straightened out," restoration to an upright
or a right state, improvement. This word only occurs once in the Bible. Third John points out several faults that
believers can fall into by following the world.
Please find the improvements
summarized below from the verse by verse study.
- 3 John 7: We will do well in this world if we model the behaviors of the fellow believers in this verse. They wanted nothing to do with the world. They did everything to uphold the reputation of Jesus. They wanted the world to know the saving grace of Jesus Christ. Do my actions benefit Christ? Am I good example of Christ in me? Do I rely on the acceptance and praise of the world? My life not only reflects my reputation but more importantly Jesus' reputation. Understanding this, I'm humbled of how unworthy I am. However, since I believe in Jesus and what He did for me and all of us, I am made worthy. You can be made worthy and be different than this world. You can be freed of the shackles of the perceptions and demands of this world. Simply admit you are unworthy, believe that Christ died to take the punishment for your unworthiness, and confess to the world that Jesus has made you worthy. Ecclesiastes 7:20 states "For there is not a just man on earth who does good and does not sin." Ezekiel 18:20 states "The soul who sins shall die." But there is tremendous, life changing news! John 3:15-16 states "that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." God is calling you. The world is calling You. Whom will you serve? Whom will you chose?
- 3 John 8: Since these believers went on mission to spread the Gospel taking or desiring nothing of the world, Gaius and John have an ethical responsibility to welcome these believers of great character as honored guests and provide for their needs. With this hospitality, Gaius and John prove themselves as co-laborers, promoters of the cause of Christ to reveal the message of salvation. We are commanded to show hospitality to missionaries. A missionary is a Christian who travels the world to share the Gospel to people who have never had the opportunity to hear it. They start churches, people called out of the world to God. A church is not a building, it is the people. Once a church (sometimes hidden from there repressive governments) is established, the missionary goes to the next town to start another church. By supporting their work, we become part of their work.
"Instruction"
in the Greek is paideia which means
discipline, training and education of children, instruction, chastisement,
correction, instruction that trains someone to reach full development
(maturity), whatever in adults also cultivates the soul - especially by
correcting mistakes and curbing the passions, instruction which aims at the increase of virtue. Through his discussion of certain people's
attributes, Third John instructs believers on ways to correct and improve their
Christian life. Please find the
increases in virtue summarized below from the verse by verse study.
- 3 John 2: In this greeting, John is praying for Gaius what he prays for every Christian. He is praying that you, Christian, will be judged worthy of eternal life and that you will follow the path for true success in every Godly pursuit. Furthermore, without any stumbling block or impedance, you would journey forward into God's everlasting life living in God's will. As we live this life, we can become distracted and discouraged. Any little word can distract us from our purpose in Christ, to live how He lived, to love as He loved, to tell the world about Him, and to teach His Word. Whenever and wherever you find yourself desperate for purpose, friendship, and acceptance, remember to return your focus to Him and journey forward in everything that you do for Christ. You will find peace. 1 Corinthians 10:31 states "Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."
- 3 John 6: Gaius is friendly and generous when receiving guests, visitors, and strangers. He cares for them through his hospitality. Being hospitable toward guests is easy, toward visitors can be uncomfortable, and toward strangers can be frightening and hard. How does Gaius have this ability? The answer is simple, the Holy Spirit. As a believer, the Holy Spirit gives us gifts to conduct the ministry. 1 Peter 4:9 states "Be hospitable to one another without grumbling." This thought is concluded at the end of 1 Peter 4:11 which states "that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever." When you show hospitality, you shine Christ. Luke 6:31 states "And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise." If someone cuts you off in traffic, take a breath, say a prayer for them, and continue to drive safely. You don't know what is going on with their day. Give them the benefit of the doubt. Judge them favorably in the absence of full evidence. If we all show this patience and caring for each other, how the Gospel would be proclaimed. Be friendly, understanding, and generous to everyone, even ones you don't know.
- 3 John 11: Who we are is defined by our moral character.
- 3 John 13: As an Apostle, John was also a teacher. He longed to be with his pupils and the community of Christ. Although he could only reach them at the time through letters. He desperately wanted to see them and impart his wisdom that he received from God to them. Being in their presence, he could see their body language and discern whether he was being understood. The least effective way to learn is reading. Hearing the teaching, taking notes, and asking clarifying questions is a better way to learn. However, the best way to learn is to teach. Since John's friends were also sent, they would be teaching soon as well.
- 3 John 14: In closing the letter, John expresses his love for them. He asks for peace that leads to salvation which is peace with God. He asks them to provide hospitality for fellow believers. He asks them to call believers by their name which is the revelation of their character. By knowing people by name, you show that you know and care for them, that they are important. So the closing is not a good bye but a prayer for his beloved friends.
Recommendation
(Application):
First, if you are
not a child of God, if you don't believe in Jesus' work on the cross, get that
right immediately. Don't wait. Tomorrow may not come. Don't try to be "good enough." None of us are. We all sin.
Jesus died for our sins.
Believing and trusting in Him, we are reconciled with God. We are saved.
It's that simple. In the end, all
must choose. Life or death. Jesus or Satan.
Through
our study in Third John, we've learned that who we are is defined by our moral
character. Our lives not only reflect
our reputation but more importantly Jesus' reputation. Understanding this, we can feel
unworthy. However, if you believe in
Jesus and what He did for all of us, you are made worthy and the Holy Spirit
enables you to live worthy. We should relinquish control of our lives and totally
rely on Him. We need to dedicate our lives
to Christ.
Third John also
instructs us on the principle of hospitality.
We should be encouraged and refreshed by seeing others live for
Christ. Don't let pride overcome you. Give God the glory and be encouraged that
Christ works in all of us. We all have
an ethical responsibility to be friendly, understanding, and generous to
everyone, even ones we don't know. If we
all show patience and caring for each
other, how the Gospel would be proclaimed.
Our life needs to be innocent of wrongdoing, be committed to
family, have self control over temptations, be logical, do the right thing, be
welcoming, be a mentor, not love money, and be humble in all things. This is only possible through Christ. When you cease control over your life and
follow the Holy Spirit's direction, you will have a "good
testimony." We may fail, but we will
never lose. Whenever and wherever
you find yourself desperate for purpose, friendship, and acceptance, remember
to return your focus to Him. You will
find peace.
No matter what
happens during your day, remember God's compassion. Remember we are not of this world but the
world to come. Be loyal to Christ.
Remember, God is author of our salvation.
God has infinite intrinsic worth and greatness above all. He has all the power. Give Him praise now and forever because of
who He is and what He has done for you.
Resources used for this
Study:
References of
Scripture are from the NKJV version except when noted otherwise.
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