3 John 9-15

Background

3 John is the shortest book in the entire Bible, consisting of 15 verses. The overall theme of the book is John commending those who walk in the truth and condemning the wicked within the Church.

3 John 9-10

In the previous section, John was commending the faithfulness of his beloved brother Gaius, to whom he was writing. Gaius was known to John and others to be a man of Christian love and hospitality, walking in the truth.

He was taking in those who were going out and spreading the gospel and caring for their needs so that they could focus on ministry.

This was indicative of his love for the brethren, how the world will know we are Christians (John 13:34–35).

Word of his deeds got back to John, which pleased and encouraged John to know his spiritual son was walking in the truth.

John shifts from praising Gaius to addressing a concerning situation.

Apparently John had written a letter to the church to which Gaius belongs, but what was sent was rejected by a man named Diotrephes, who also possibly belonged to that same church.

We don’t know a lot about this man, but we know he slandered John and others, making unjust accusations.

Furthermore, Diotrephes would not receive missionaries sent to their church. Not only this, he forbids others of the church to receive the missionaries and would kick them out of the church if they did.

Based on what is said here, it appears Diotrephes is in a position of leadership within the church and “loves to be first among them.”

His desire for power and influence caused him to conflict with the leadership of the apostle John, both by rejecting what John taught and making false accusations against him.

The health of a church is directly influenced by those in leadership positions.

Once again, pride is a focal sin, desiring to occupy a position that only Christ deserves (Col. 1:18). Instead, Diotrephes believed the lie that he could hold that position in the church.

This echoes what Jesus taught about the Pharisees in Matt. 23:6-8.

An interesting story to recall from John’s past is found in Mark 10:35-45. John learned this lesson the hard way, and is most likely a sore subject for him.

We need to be like Christ - Phil. 2:3-8.

Paul laid out the standard of church leadership in Titus 1:7-11, 16. John is a perfect example of this.

It isn’t known exactly what Diotrephes rejected from John’s writings, but simply rejecting the teaching was not enough for him. It seems he felt it was necessary to slander John and sully his reputation, presumably so that John’s influence in the church would suffer.

By rejecting John and the traveling missionaries who are sent with the gospel, Diotrephes rejects the One who sent them (John 13:20).

This was unfortunately more common than it should have been in the time of the Apostles (2 Cor. 10:1-11).

Diotrephes was wrongly influencing the church in his position of leadership to be inhospitable, and threatening those who would welcome in traveling missionaries.

John makes known to Gaius that “if”=“whenever” he goes to that church, he will call Diotrephes out on his unjustified accusations and his ungodly deeds (1 Tim. 5:20).

3 John 11

The evidence of our faith shows through in our lives.

Do we belong to Christ? John 10:27.

If we imitate what is good, it means that we follow after our example, Christ: Eph. 5:1-2.

We also have godly examples to follow, such as Paul: 1 Cor. 11:1; Phil. 3:14-19.

It is also how we can tell if someone is false: Matt. 7:15-20; 1 John 3:7-9.

We are called to walk according to our faith: Eph. 4:1-3.

Diotrephes was clearly not imitating Christ, being prideful, slanderous, and divisive.

3 John 12-15

John is now commending another faithful believer, Demetrius, whom some believe to be the message-bearer for John.

Oftentimes it was necessary to send trusted disciples to deliver letters, as they would protect both the message and the letter itself.

Demetrius had proven his character and trustworthiness.

John concludes his letter by indicating he has much more to say, but he’d rather say it in person and not on paper. He again indicates his intention to travel to Gaius.

He concludes with a short blessing and greeting.

APPLICATION

Church leadership is indicative of the spiritual health of a congregation.

The evidence of our faith shows whom we are imitating.

Next week, we will return back to Genesis in 12.

Communion: We practice open communion, which means if you are a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, you may join the church in taking the Lord’s Supper. Communion is a practice of remembering what Christ has done by eating and drinking, and we are told that we must examine ourselves in the taking of communion, so that we do not eat the bread or drink the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner. Take this time to examine yourself before we take communion together.

1 Cor. 11:23-26 — For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”

In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.