The Strand Study Bible

III JOHN

Author: John, The Beloved Theme: Living the Truth

About the Author: John, whose name means “gift of God,” was a Jew from the city of Bethsaida, near the Sea of Galilee. He and his father (Zebedee) and older brother (James - Mt 4:21) were fishermen. According to the Bible, they seemed to have made a good living at their trade (Mk 1:20 and Jn 19:27). His mother’s name was Salome. Immediately following the miracle of the draught of fishes, John and his brother James, became apostles (Lk 5:9-10). He, along with Peter and James, became one of the three apostles closest to Christ. John was probably the youngest of the disciples and lived the longest (until c. AD 100). While on the cross, Christ personally asked John to care for his earthly mother (Jn 19:26-27). Twelve years later, in AD 44, after Christ’s resurrection, John lost his brother (James) to martyrdom (Acts 12:12). Six years later in AD 50, he and Peter, Paul and others took part in settling the controversy of circumcision in Jerusalem (Acts 15 and Gal 2:9). Tradition tells us that John spent many years as pastor of the church at Ephesus. Then, in the latter years of his life, he was banished by the Roman government on a deserted island called Patmos. Later, God used him to write The Revelation (Rev 1:9 – AD 96). About the Book: This brief and very personal letter to Gaius answers the question, “Why do I go to church?” According to John, there are three kinds of believers that attend church: 1. Those who desire to submit to the truth in order to live the truth (Gaius - vs 1) 2. Those who desire not to submit to the truth, but to advance their own cause by promoting their own personal authority (Diotrephes, a

domineering church official, who rejected the authority of the apostle - vs 9) 3. Those who desire to submit to death itself, for the sake of the truth (Demetrius - vs 12) III John was written from Ephesus in approximately AD 90. Notes of Interest: 1. There are no OT quotations or characters found in III John . 2. There are no prophecies referred to in III John . 3. There are no inset maps used in the book of III John . Outline of III John :

1. John commends Gaius and his local church (III Jn 1-8) 2. John cautions Gaius to beware of Diotrephes (III Jn 9-11) 3. John praises Demetrius (III Jn 12-14) III John 1

4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. John encourages Gaius’ local church to

1. II John 4 2. Heb 13:2

John commends Gaius and his local church Date Written - c. AD 90 1 The elder unto the well-beloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth. 2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. 3 1 For I rejoiced greatly, when the breth- ren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.

continue to love and receive those who travel and preach the truth

5 Beloved, thou doest faithfully what soever thou doest to the brethren, and to 2 strangers;

6 Which have borne witness of thy char- ity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well: 1:1 The “ elder” here was John the Beloved. An elder was another name for overseer, bishop, or pastor (Acts 20:28, Titus 1:5,7, I Pet 5:1 and I Tim 5:1 ). 1:2 a This word ( prosper ) is the Greek word HXοGοXσθDL ( euodousthai ) and means “ to have a pleasant journey .” It came to denote “ getting along well .” John had hoped that his letter to Gaius would find him getting along well physically (in good health), as he was spiritually. This word had nothing to do with prospering financially. NOTE – According to the Bible, true prosperity is the result of “hanging with God,” and has nothing to do with becoming wealthy ( Gen 39:3 and Prov 16:8 ) and/or healthy personally. 1:2 b The health of the soul is exceedingly more important than the health of the body ( I Tim 4:8 and II Tim 4:20 ) and/or the wealth of the man (Prov 15:17 & 17:1 and Eccl 4:6,13). 1:3 The “ brethren” here that reported back to John were itinerant preachers that he had sent out to local churches throughout the surrounding areas.While Gaius entertained the apostolic delegates, Diotrephes slandered themand threatened to excommunicate anyone who dared disagree with him (vs 10). 1:5 There are three reasons why churches are to be hospitable toward “visiting preachers” ( whatsoever thou doest to the brethren ) of the Gospel: 1. Preachers of the Gospel work for God ( his name’s sake - vs 7) (Acts 4:12 & 5:41) 2. Preachers of the Gospel rely solely on God for their needs ( taking nothing of the Gentiles - vs 7) (Phil 4:10-19) 3. Preachers of the Gospel want the people of God to partake in the work ( become fellow helpers - vs 8) (Num 11:24-29) 2130