III John

Joyce Webb 2019

Chapter 1 Verses 1-14

Verse 1 This letter is written from John, the elder—-to Gaius—who I love in the truth.

Gaius is a believer.

John hopes that he in good health and all is going well with him.

Verse 3 John said that he was happy when some other believers told him about Gaius, and how Gaius was a true follower of Christ.

Verse 4 John calls Gaius as one of his “children”, meaning that Gaius became a believer under John’s teaching.

Verse 5 John tells him that he is doing good when Gaius helps other believers and strangers.

Verse 6 Gaius had been taking in traveling preachers into his home, and even some who he does not know. John tells him that this is showing Christian love.

Verse 7 ,8 These Christian preachers who travel around, do not take help from those who are not Christian,

John uses the word Gentile. The Gentiles were people who were not Jews. They also usually worshipped idols.

So the traveling preachers looked to the Christian believers to take them in and give them a bed and food. (In that time, there were not many inns or such)

(Some of these believers in Christ may have been Jews, and some may have been Gentiles. But now, they were all Christians.)

Verse 9, 10 John talks about a man named, Diotrephes. John said that he wrote to the church or group of believers about this man.

John said this man likes to be the leader and in charge of things. He ignored John about helping the traveling preachers.

This man spoke mean words against John.

John said that he does not take in the traveling preachers. And if others in the church take them in, then Diotrephes makes those people leave the church.

Verse 11 John tells the believers, Do not follow what is evil and wrong, but follow that which is good and right.

The person who does what is good and right is of God. The person who does evil and wrong does not know God.

(In other words, John is encouraging the people to do what is right and not to follow Diotrephes’ example.)

Verse 12 John speaks of another man named, Demetrius. He said that this man has a good report—all men think that he is a good man.

John said We also think that he is a good man. You know that I am telling the truth.

Verse 13 John said I have many things that I want to say but I will not write them in a letter.

Verse 14 John said I hope to come see you soon. We will speak to each other face to face.

Peace be to you. Our friends say “Hello”. Say “Hello” to all our friends.