3 John 1-15
John has not greater joy than to hear that his children are walking in the truth.
It was for the sake of the Name that they went out, receiving no help from the pagans. We ought therefor to show hospitality to such men so that we may work together for the truth.
Diotrephes who loves to be first, will have nothing to do with us. Gossiping malicious about us. He also stops those who want to do so and puts them out of the church.
Demetrius is well spoken of by everyone - and even by the truth itself. We also speak well of him, and know that our testimony is true.
This is a personal letter from the Elder to his friend Gaius. The name was a common one at the time, and there is nothing to connect this Gaius with any of the others mentioned in the New Testament.
If tradition is anything to go by, he may have been a leader of the church at Pergamum. More importantly, Gaius was a man who 'lived in the truth'. His life and conduct are in striking contrast to that of another local leader, Diotrephes. Gaius, a man of integrity, is going all in his power to help his fellow Christians, especially the travelling evangelists and teachers who depended on Christian hospitality and support.
Diotrephes is damaging John's own character, suppressing his letter, spreading lies, hugging his own position as leader and hindering missionary outreach.
The third character in the letter, Demetrius, may have been John's messenger. This man's life speaks for itself. He richly deserves the high regard in which John holds him.
A letter is a poor substitute for personal contact. John longs to come soon to see his friend and have a good, long talk.
How?
Show hospitality to such men who working for the Name of Jesus Christ, missionary or christians.
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