Support and opposition and the apostle’s joy. Beloved, you are acting faithfully in what you are providing for the brothers, and especially when they are strangers;
and they have testified before the church of your love and friendship. You will do well to [assist them and] send them on their way in a manner worthy of God. 3 John 1:5-6
OUTLINE OF THE FIRST, SECOND AND THIRD EPISTLE OF JOHN
INTRODUCTION
In addition to the Gospel, three Epistles have come to us from the pen of the beloved Apostle. Of these the First is the longest and most important. In form it is more like an essay or treatise than a letter; it bears no salutation nor signature. But if there were no other evidence, its similarity in phrase and thought to the Fourth Gospel would practically decide the question of authorship. Whichever was written first, the relation between the two is perfectly clear and has been aptly expressed by Bishop Westcott: “The theme of the Epistle is, the Christ is Jesus; the theme of the Gospel is, Jesus is the Christ.” The bearing of the Epistle upon practical living is also very plain. It shows that fellowship with the Father and the Son is realized in love of the brethren.
The Second and Third Epistles are very brief, and are private and personal rather than doctrinal. They have been called by Jerome “twin sisters.” In style and spirit they markedly resemble the First Epistle. There is the same emphasis upon love, truth, and obedience. While we are without exact information as to their date, they rank unquestionably among the latest documents in the New Testament.
The Redeeming Love of God in Christ
12. Why is hospitality a Christian grace?
GREETING
The elder [of the church addresses this letter] to the beloved and esteemed Gaius, whom I love in truth.
Beloved, I pray that in every way you may succeed and prosper and be in good health [physically], just as [I know] your soul prospers [spiritually].
For I was greatly pleased when [some of the] brothers came [from time to time] and testified to your [faithfulness to the] truth [of the gospel message], that is, how you are walking in truth.
I have no greater joy than this, to hear that my [spiritual] children are living [their lives] in the truth.
SUPPORT AND OPPOSITION
Beloved, you are acting faithfully in what you are providing for the brothers, and especially when they are strangers;
and they have testified before the church of your love and friendship. You will do well to [assist them and] send them on their way in a manner worthy of God.
For these [traveling missionaries] went out for the sake of the Name [of Christ], accepting nothing [in the way of assistance] from the Gentiles.
So we ought to support such people [welcoming them as guests and providing for them], so that we may be fellow workers for the truth [that is, for the gospel message of salvation].
I wrote something to the church; but Diotrephes, who loves to put himself first, does not accept what we say and refuses to recognize my authority.
For this reason, if I come, I will call attention to what he is doing, unjustly accusing us with wicked words and unjustified charges. And not satisfied with this, he refuses to receive the [missionary] brothers himself, and also forbids those who want to [welcome them] and puts them out of the church.
Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but [imitate] what is good. The one who practices good [exhibiting godly character, moral courage and personal integrity] is of God; the one who practices [or permits or tolerates] evil has not seen God [he has no personal experience with Him and does not know Him at all]. [1Jn_3:6]
Demetrius has received a good testimony and commendation from everyone–and from the truth [the standard of God’s word] itself; and we add our testimony and speak well of him, and you know that our testimony is true.
FINAL GREETINGS
I had many things [to say when I began] to write to you, but I prefer not to put it down with pen (reed) and black (ink);
but I hope to see you soon, and we will speak face to face. [Num_12:8]
Peace be to you. The friends [here] greet you. Greet the friends [personally] by name.
Comments by
F.B.Meyer
On
3 John 1:1-15
THE APOSTLE’S JOY
Again we meet the words love and truth. Transparency of speech and life is an essential condition of soul health. It would not be desirable to express the wish of 3Jn_1:2 to all our friends, because if their bodies were to correspond to the condition of their souls, they would suddenly fall into ill-health. In the old legend mirrors were blurred with mist when any approached who were out of harmony with truth, 3Jn_1:4.
The Christian must always act worthily of God, especially toward strangers, 3Jn_1:5-6. “For the sake of the Name,” 3Jn_1:7, R.V.-as children we must maintain the family honor. Such hospitality makes us fellow-workers with the truth. There is a Boanergic touch in 3Jn_1:10. The threefold witness to Demetrius should stir our desire to emulate his character. What will it not be when the dimness of earthly converse is exchanged for the face-to-face intercourse of eternity! 3Jn_1:14.
Choose a Sermon on
3 John
by
Pastor Jeff Arthur.
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