Dec. 15, 2025

“IT’S THE TRUTH”

3 JOHN 1:1-14

From the very beginning the apostles themselves had to contend against false teachers: 

2 Peter 2:1 “But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction.” 

They had to exhort believers to live holy lives: 

Ephesians 4:1 “I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called.”

 And had to, yes, even confront leaders in the midst of a power grab:

3 John 1:9 “I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us.”

1. Gaius The Encourager- 3 John 1:1-8

After introducing himself as "the elder" (see 2 Jn. 1:1), the apostle John directly addresses his recipient as "the beloved Gaius." 

3 John 1:1 “The Elder, To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth:”

3 John 1:2 “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.”

John's concern for Gaius's physical well-being reveals a superior theology: God is not merely a God of the soul; He's God of the body as well.

2 Corinthians 12:7-10 “And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 8Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 

In spite of these possible afflictions, or perhaps because of them Gaius's devotion to Christ had flourished.

Psalm 119:71 “It is good for me that I have been afflicted,
That I may learn Your statutes.”

One day God will vanquish sickness and suffering when our bodies are resurrected and glorified: 

1 Corinthians 15:53-54 “For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”

Revelation 21:4 “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

In the mean-time, it isn't God's will that every believer always be healthy.

3 John 1:3-4 “For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. 4I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.”

How did John know of Gaius's condition?

3 John 1:5-8 “Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the brethren and for strangers, 6who have borne witness of your love before the church. If you send them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God, you will do well, 7because they went forth for His name’s sake, taking nothing from the Gentiles. 8We therefore ought to receive such, that we may become fellow workers for the truth.”

Acts 14:23 “So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.”

Until the congregation was self-sustaining. Paul refers to these types of ministers in Ephesians 4:11 as apostles, prophets, and evangelists.

The settlers, on the other hand, were those ministers who were responsible for the continuing care and growth of the local churches.

Philippians  1:1 “Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ,

To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons.”

These established churches then became the primary bases of support for the itinerant pioneer ministers (see 1 Cor. 9:1-14).

2.  Diotrephes The Dictator- 3 John 1:9-10

3 John 1:9-10 “I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us. 10Therefore, if I come, I will call to mind his deeds which he does, prating against us with malicious words. And not content with that, he himself does not receive the brethren, and forbids those who wish to, putting them out of the church.”

Diotrephes, however, had completely lost sight of this apostolic ideal, wanting instead to call the shots like a dictator. This was utterly in conflict with the clear instructions from both Jesus and Peter that leaders should not "lord it over" those placed in their charge (Matt. 20:25-26; 1 Pet. 5:1-3)!

3.  Demetrius The Model- 3 John 1:11-12

John urges Gaius "not [to] imitate what is evil, but what is good" 

3 Jn. 1:11 “Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God.” 

The "evil" thing in the immediate context is the example of wicked Diotrephes.

"The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God" (1:11)

1 Jn. 2:4-5 “He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.”

Besides this, John instructs Gaius to imitate and align himself with a positive example, specifically a man named Demetrius: 

3 John 1:12 “Demetrius has a good testimony from all, and from the truth itself. And we also bear witness, and you know that our testimony is true.”

Demetrius was certainly fit for the task. John provided three im- pressive references for Demetrius, marking him as one worthy of imitation (1:11): 

First, everyone who knew Demetrius vouched for him, not a soul lacked confidence in his character and integrity. 

Second, he lived his life in a way that lined up with "the truth itself" (1:12). 

Third, John gave Demetrius a personal stamp of approval from his own circle of apostolic leadership.

4.  Conclusion- 3 John 1:13-14

3 John 1:13-14 “I had many things to write, but I do not wish to write to you with pen and ink; 14but I hope to see you shortly, and we shall speak face to face. Peace to you. Our friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.”

John was on his way!

What joy Gaius must have felt as he read the final words of this encouraging epistle: "Peace be to you. The friends greet you