The Testimony of Gaius

It has been accepted historically that the apostle John wrote this letter. It’s similarities to 2 John are obvious (2 John 1:1, 3 John 1:1; 2 John 1:4, 3 John 1:3). John probably wrote from Ephesus around AD 90. The letter is addressed to an individual named Gaius. It was a very common name during that time. We find individuals with that name in the New Testament (Acts 19:29; 20:4, Romans 16:23, 1 Cor. 1:14). We can’t be sure if any of those are the same man mentioned here. We do know that he was a close friend of John and a leading member of a church. John writes Gaius for three reasons:

1) To encourage him in the faith (1-4).

2) To encourage him to treat faithful ministers with hospitality (5-8).

3) To warn the church about false teachers (9-11).

v. 1 John describes himself as “the elder”. This title refers to a spiritual leader in the church responsible for the teaching of God’s word and the oversight of the church. He addresses the letter to Gaius and calls him “the well beloved”. It seems that Gaius and John were close friends. Gaius was dear to John’s heart. John said that he loved Gaius “in the truth”. “In the truth” describes Gaius as a believer. Believers have a special love for one another because we belong to the truth. We have accepted the Word of God as true and are all a part of the family of God.

v.2 John sends Gaius a personal greeting. Much has been made about this verse in some theological circles. Some have interpreted this verse to mean that physical prosperity is God’s will for all people at all times. To interpret the verse that way is to take it out of context. John is simply saying “I hope you are doing as good physically as you are spiritually”. It doesn’t mean Gaius was sick. It was a simple standard greeting. John wanted Gaius to be healthy. That way he could continue to minster the gospel. John’s words were pretty similar to ours when we say “I hope everything is going well for you.”

v.3 Some believers that knew Gaius had brought news to John. They told John that Gaius was continuing to walk in the truth. That is, he was living for the Lord Jesus Christ. Believers have the truth of the gospel on the inside of them. As a result their daily conduct reflects that. This brought great joy to John. John has a pastor’s heart. It brings him joy to know that people are living for the Lord Jesus. That was his main concern about Gaius.

v.4 In this verse John extends his joy even further. Not only does it bring him great joy to know that Gaius is walking in the truth. It also brings him great joy to know that others are walking in the truth. John calls the believers “my children”. That was one of John’s favorite titles for believers (1 John 2:1, 12, 18, 3:7, 18; 4:4; 5:21). Notice that John did not have great joy because the people simply believed in the truth. He had great joy because the people were walking in the truth. They were living the truth. Their faith impacted their lives. True men of God are in sorrow when God’s people are not walking in the truth and they are in joy when they are.

v.5 Now John begins to show us an example of Gaius godly actions. Gaius was showing Christian love and hospitality to “brethren and strangers”. These were probably traveling ministers. Some of them were strangers to Gaius; he had never met them before. But in the name of Jesus he likely provided them with food, shelter and possibly even money. It’s interesting that in 2 John 10 John warns believers not to show hospitality to some but here he commends Gaius for showing hospitality. The difference in 2 John was that those ministers were false teachers. We should be discerning about the ministers we help. We should not assist false teachers as they seek to spread a false gospel. We should regularly assist those that minister the truth.

v.6 Ministers that had traveled back from Gaius to John had not only told John that Gaius was walking in the truth. They also told him that Gaius was helping the traveling missionaries. They bore witness of Gaius charity. Not only had they told John, but they had testified before the church of Gaius actions.

John encourages Gaius to continue to treat missionaries in this way. It is important that we treat those that share the gospel in a godly way. In verses 7-8 John tells us three reasons that we should help missionaries. Let’s look at those reasons.

1) They represent the Lord. We see that in verse 7. John says the missionaries went forth “for His names sake”. The missionaries had been sent out in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Their purpose was to preach the gospel so that people would call upon the name of the Lord and be saved (Rom. 10:9). The message the missionaries had brought glory and honor to the Lord. Therefore, when the missionaries were assisted they had a greater ability to bring God more glory. For that reason, they should be supported.

2) They took nothing from the Gentiles. We see that at the end of verse 7. The “Gentiles” probably refers to the unsaved. The unsaved are not going to support the ministry financially. Therefore the missionaries had to depend on the help of believers. True believers do not preach for money (Titus 1:11, 1 Peter 5:2). But it does take money to do ministry. Godly men do not want to have to beg the church for money. Therefore, the church should not put them in that position. We should give financially to the ministry knowing that financial assistance for the Lord’s work comes from the Lord’s people.

3) We get a blessing from it. We see that in verse 8. When we give financially we become fellow helpers of the truth. In Matthew 10:41 Jesus teaches us that when we help a prophet we get a prophet’s reward. God will bless us when we bless others. We should also understand that when we help someone in the ministry we play a part in every soul they reach. Not everyone can go but everyone can give.

Thoughts to Consider

1. Is my spiritual health as good as my physical health?

2. What a blessing it is to hear that people are living for the Lord.

3. How we treat those that labor for the Lord should concern us.

4. God has ordained that the church members finance the church ministries.