John, “the disciple whom Jesus loved,” wrote his third letter to Gauis. The name “Gauis” is mentioned numerous times in the New Testament. There is a Gauis from Derbe, where Paul went on his first missionary journey. There’s a Gauis mentioned during Paul’s third missionary journey, when there was the disturbance about the goddess Artemis and this Gauis was pulled into the theater. He’s mentioned as one of Paul’s traveling companions as he made his way to Jerusalem, where he was arrested. It is not known if these are all the same men. This Gauis to whom John wrote was faithful, however, commended by John for “walking in truth” and supporting men who had gone out “for the sake of the name.”
In his previous two letters, John has developed the concept of spiritual discernment:
“every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God” (1 John 4:3a)
anyone “who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God” (2 John 1:9a)
He applies this spiritual discernment in the good reports he has heard about Gaius, to whom he writes the letter, and about Demetrius. But he warns Gaius about the actions of another man, Diotrephes, offering more spiritual discernment:
“The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God” (3 John 1:11b).
NOTE ON MY SUMMARIZING STYLE: I always want to “show my work,” like I used to have to do in school. I revere the word of God with gravity. I always want you to be able to go back to the full original source, provided by links to the appropriate daily reading, to verify my summary. I start with an outline at the bottom of the document, and then I progressively refine my summaries as I move to the top. It is an exercise that helps with my comprehension and I pray it helps with yours.
CHAPTER THEME:
Chapter 1: Brethren have obviously come and testified to John about Gaius “walking in truth” and serving them, even though they were strangers. “You do well to send [such men] on their way in a manner worthy of God. For they went out for the sake of the Name.” John declares, “I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.” Just as John has heard a good report about Gaius, he wants to reassure him regarding a good report he’s heard about Demetrius. He “has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself; and we add our testimony, and you know that our testimony is true.” He also wants to warn Gaius about Diotrophes: he “loves to be first among [the brethren in the church,” “does not accept what we say,” “unjustly accus[es] us with wicked words,” and “he himself does not receive the brethren, either, and he forbids those who desire to do so and puts them out of the church.” John says he will call attention to his deeds, if he is able to visit, but encourages discernment: Do “not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God.”
SHORTER CHAPTER SUMMARY:
Chapter 1: “The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth. Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers. For I was very glad when brethren came and testified to your truth, that is, how you are walking in truth. I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.” You “are acting faithfully in whatever you accomplish for the brethren, and especially when they are strangers; and they have testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God. For they went out for the sake of the Name.” We “ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers with the truth. I wrote something to the church; but Diotrophes, who loves to be first among them, does not accept what we say. For this reason, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words; and not satisfied with this, he himself does not receive the brethren, either, and he forbids those who desire to do so and puts them out of the church.” Do “not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God. Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself; and we add our testimony, and you know that our testimony is true.”
LONGEST CHAPTER SUMMARY:
Chapter 1: “The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth. Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers. For I was very glad when brethren came and testified to your truth, that is, how you are walking in truth. I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth. Beloved, you are acting faithfully in whatever you accomplish for the brethren, and especially when they are strangers; and they have testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God. For they went out for the sake of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. Therefore we ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers with the truth. I wrote something to the church; but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, does not accept what we say. For this reason, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words; and not satisfied with this, he himself does not receive the brethren, either, and he forbids those who desire to do so and puts them out of the church. Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God. Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself; and we add our testimony, and you know that our testimony is true. I had many things to write to you, but I am not willing to write them to you with pen and ink; but I hope to see you shortly, and we will speak face to face. Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.”
OUTLINE:
3 John 1
Introduction (v1-4):
“The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth.
“Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.
“For I was very glad when brethren came and testified to your truth, that is, how you are walking in truth.
“I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.”
“Beloved, you are acting faithfully in whatever you accomplish for the brethren, and especially when they are strangers; and they have testified to your love before the church.” (v5-8):
“You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God.
“For they went out for the sake of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles.
“Therefore we ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers with the truth.”
“I wrote something to the church; but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, does not accept what we say.” (v9-10):
“For this reason, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words; and not satisfied with this, he himself does not receive the brethren, either, and he forbids those who desire to do so and puts them out of the church.
“Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good.” (v11-12):
“The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God.
“Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself; and we add our testimony, and you know that our testimony is true.”
Closing (v13-15):
“I had many things to write to you, but I am not willing to write them to you with pen and ink; but I hope to see you shortly, and we will speak face to face.
“Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.”