For the sake of the Name: An Exposition of the Third Epistle of John (3 John 1:1–15).
Featuring Asian Outreach: Reaching, touching, and transforming lives.
Walk in the Truth
1 The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth.
Here we see Gaius is John’s friend. The Epistle of 3 John is addressed to a man named Gaius who was a member of an unnamed church that John had the oversight of (3 John 1:1). John calls this man ‘beloved’ (verses 1, 2, and 11). Gaius [Γαΐῳ; source], whose name means ‘one who rejoices’ is commended for his hospitality to traveling preachers of the gospel (verses 5, 6, and 8); for his faithfulness (verse 5); for his love (verse 6); and for his walking in the truth (verse 3). Source: GotQuestions.org.
2 Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers. 3 For I was very glad when brethren came and testified to your truth, that is, how you are walking in truth. 4 I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.
The apostle rejoices that Gauis, a spiritual son of his is walking in the truth.
The apostle uses his spiritual health as a reference point for how his physical well-being should reflect.
We see the heart of an under-shepherd whose heart reflects the words of the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 1:24 which says: “Not that we lord it over your faith, but are workers with you for your joy; for in your faith you are standing firm.”
The spiritual well-being of Gaius was a priority in John’s mind, so it must be for us when we consider our partners in Gospel work, our co-laborers, even our leaders in the Lord. Are we not all sheep with One Shepherd? None of us are independent of each other. We need each other to ensure our vitality in our walk with truth.
The writer of Hebrews says the following:
Hebrews 3:13 But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
Hebrews 10:23–25 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.
5 Beloved, you are acting faithfully in whatever you accomplish for the brethren, and especially when they are strangers; 6 and they have testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God. 7 For they went out for the sake of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. 8 Therefore we ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers with the truth.
Using his term of endearment (“beloved”) once more, John commends Gaius for his support of the traveling preachers who have come through his region. This passage is a central one for thinking about missionary support. Gaius’s church did not know these men personally but they cared for them (“your love”) because of their mission. Such care is a “faithful thing” to do, John says. Furthermore, John urges supporting such workers “in a manner worthy of God.” That is a high standard of support and care!
Who should receive such support? Those who go out “for the sake of the name,” that is people who leave their own location, with the commendation of the church to proclaim the name of Jesus to others. They do not look for support from the Gentiles, but the people of God “ought to support people like these.” The word translated “Gentiles” is not the typical word ethnos but a word (ethnikos) which has stronger connotations of unbelieving and opposed to the gospel. And, not only is it the church’s duty to support such gospel workers, such support is our delight because it affords us the opportunity to share in the work they are doing. Those who love the truth love those who spread it to others and rejoice in the opportunity to participate in such work.
Taken from A Commentary By Ray Van Neste from The Gospel Coalition.
9 I wrote something to the church; but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, does not accept what we say. 10 For this reason, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words; and not satisfied with this, he himself does not receive the brethren, either, and he forbids those who desire to do so and puts them out of the church.
John exposes a bad example by name. He does so by doing detailing what he does, by calling attention to his deeds. This is a Biblical example of accountability and church discipline. In our Asian context of face-saving, age-honoring, and fear for confrontation, we may find this course of action unnecessary, uncomfortable, and horrifying. We must not preserve ourselves, our face, our own comfort when evil is at work amongst the brethren with our silence, inaction. Peace and unity must never be bought at the price of truth and integrity for such ‘purchased goods’ are in fact inauthentic, they are hence more accurately termed as ‘false peace’ and ‘loss of integrity.’
Christians are called by Jesus as light of the world, if we fail to shine in the midst of the brethren, we have failed to secure a Biblical, Christlike example for an unbelieving world who already have countless misconceptions, if not hostile ones, towards Christianity.
Granted, immature Christians jump the gun and run their mouth. The youthful despise the wisdom and ‘slowness’ of the aged. However, we are to admit that age must be honored while the unrepentant sins of church leaders must be confronted with the truth.
We must abide in truth at all costs.
11 Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God. 12 Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself; and we add our testimony, and you know that our testimony is true.
In verse 11, John summarizes the proper response to dealing with evil, such as the works of Diotrephes (3 John 1:9–10). First, he warns not to imitate evil, but good. These words resemble Paul’s from Romans 12:21: Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Evil exists, but it’s not something believers should join, or mimic. Instead, believers are to imitate what is good, and overcome evil that way. This includes avoiding violence, revenge, or hate. Instead, we are to use forgiveness, love, and truth. Second, doing good deeds is evidence of a person’s Christian faith. While only God sees the heart, and knows who is truly saved, those who do good show evidence of salvation. Those who do evil things are giving evidence that they are lost.
[In verse 12,] Demetrius is mentioned once in the Bible, yet it is rich in impact! First, Demetrius was widely known among believers as a godly man. Second, his life was consistent with God’s truth. Third, Demetrius received praise from Christian leaders, including the apostle John himself. In a society where oral testimony held strong value, John’s affirmation was a glowing endorsement of Demetrius’s spiritual success. Even today, the endorsement of another Christian leader serves as strong evidence of a godly life. The example of Demetrius is a stark contrast to that of Diotrephes (3 John 1:9–10), who is not to be imitated. In fact, his actions are so harmful that even the elderly apostle John plans to come and confront him face-to-face.
Commentary taken from: Bible Ref.
13 I had many things to write to you, but I am not willing to write them to you with pen and ink; 14 but I hope to see you shortly, and we will speak face to face.
The global Covid-19 Pandemic has taught the above truth for the past 3 years (2020–2022). To speak face-to-face with someone we love, to share fellowship with someone in the flesh will always trump meeting a loved one on a Zoom Call, over Skype, or via a phone call — we thank God for these tools but they cannot compensate for a full-orbed experience of kononia (Christian fellowship or communion, with God or, more commonly, with fellow Christians.)
Likewise, the Bible promises us in Matthew 5:8 that:
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
It is every Christian’s longing, to one day to finally see God.
15 Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.
John ends the letter with a wish of peace to Gaius as he longs the opportunity to meet him and the church he is based in.
Asian Outreach exists to provide aid, training, and labourers to the needy, unreached in Asia, where the Gospel has not been known. It is a ministry that seeks to obey the Great Commission as commanded by the Lord Jesus Christ in Matthew 28: 18–20:
18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Join us in prayer, in serving, giving, and laboring with the following end-goal in mind:
Habakkuk 2:14 “For the earth will be filled With the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, As the waters cover the sea.
Contact us!
E-mail: asianoutreachpj@gmail.com
To give:
ASIAN OUTREACH (M) BHD
- Account No.: 5122 3151 4747
- Swift Code: MBBEMYKL
7 For they went out for the sake of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. 8 Therefore we ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers with the truth.
3 John 1:7–8
