Gai Who?

Gaius the Encourager

There is no question that the Apostle John dearly loved this man!

He called him “the well beloved” in his greeting, and “beloved” in .

It is unlikely that these were merely formal terms, like our “Dear Mr. Jones.” (We may not even know Mr. Jones personally!

If Gaius were a member of a church that I pastored, I would certainly have no trouble loving him! Consider the personal qualities of this excellent man.

His Spiritual Health

John may be hinting here that his dear friend was not well and that John was praying for restored health: “I want you to be as healthy in body as you are in soul!” If this is the case, then it is evidence that it is possible to be spiritually healthy and physically sick.

However, it is clear that Gaius was a man whose “spiritual health” was evident to all.

However, it is clear that Gaius was a man whose “spiritual health” was evident to all. “Though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day” (). Physical health is the result of nutrition, exercise, cleanliness, proper rest, and the disciplined order of a balanced life. Spiritual health is the result of similar factors. We must nourish ourselves with the Word, and then “work out” that nourishment in godly exercise (). We must keep ourselves clean () and avoid the contamination and pollution that is in the world (; ). While exercise and service are important, it is also important that we rest in the Lord and gain new strength through fellowship with Him (). A balanced life is a healthy and happy life, a life that honors God.

“Though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day” ().

Physical health is the result of nutrition, exercise, cleanliness, proper rest, and the disciplined order of a balanced life.

Spiritual health is the result of similar factors.

We must nourish ourselves with the Word, and then “work out” that nourishment in godly exercise (). We must keep ourselves clean () and avoid the contamination and pollution that is in the world (; ).

While exercise and service are important, it is also important that we rest in the Lord and gain new strength through fellowship with Him ().

A balanced life is a healthy and happy life, a life that honors God.

A Good Testamony

Gaius was recognized as a man who obeyed the Word of God and “walked in truth” (see ). Some of the brethren had made several visits to John, and they had joyfully reported that Gaius was a glowing example of what a Christian ought to be.

In my own pastoral experience, I must confess that I have often been a bit “on edge” when people have said to me, “Is Mrs. —— a member of your church?” Or, even worse, “I know one of your members quite well!” John never had to fear when Gaius’ name came up!

What made Gaius such a good testimony? God’s truth.

The truth was “in him” and enabled him to walk in obedience to God’s will.

Gaius read the Word, meditated on it, delighted in it, and then practiced it in his daily life (see ). What digestion is to the body, meditation is to the soul. It is not enough merely to hear the Word or read the Word. We must inwardly “digest it” and make it part of our inner persons (see ).