The Journey Through 3 John
The epistle of 3 John is John’s shortest letter in the New Testament—more verses than 2 John but fewer words in the original. The letter is a short note to a special friend of John’s, a man named Gaius, who was a faithful servant in the church he was part of. John writes to commend him forand encourage him to continue the faithful love and service he has shown, especially to traveling missionaries for Christ who depended on the hospitality of fellow Christians as they journeyed in a hostile world.
John also assures Gaius that he is aware of those within the church who work to undermine the good work of the gospel mission and its supporters. In Gaius’s church, this opposition is embodied in an arrogant, self-serving leader named Diotrephes. John’s words of rebuke toward this man are intended to encourage Gaius (and us) not to be swayed or intimidated by such critics but to press on in doing good and serving the Lord and His servants in faithfulness and humility.
