The book of Third John is a wonderful one-chapter book, filled with lessons for us today. It was written by the apostle, John, to a man named Gaius.
Two other men are mentioned in this book, Diotrephes and Demetrius. Gaius and Demetrius were commended, but Diotrephes was rebuked.
Gaius must have been special to John. John says of him, “Whom I love in truth” (Third John 1:1 ESV). This seems to identify Gaius as one who walked daily in the truth of the gospel.
John refers to Gaius as “beloved,” and he uses this expression several times. This man was a fellow Christian, which created a special bond between them.
John wished for him physical health to match his spiritual health. Gaius’ spiritual health must have been strong; and John wanted his physical health to match it. What if God blessed our physical health to equal our spiritual health? How physically healthy would we be?
Gaius’ spiritual health was measured by several things: he walked in the truth; he was faithful to show hospitality to brothers and strangers; he sent them on their way “in a manner worthy of God” (verse 6).
Diotrephes, on the other hand, was not commended for good works. He was rebuked both for the things he did and did not do.
It seems that Diotrephes put himself first, above everyone else; and he would not acknowledge the authority of the apostles. This man had spoken evil things against the apostles, refused to welcome fellow Christians, stopped others from welcoming Christians, and had put some out of the church without authority to do so (Third John verse 10).
The third Christian named in this book is Demetrius. This man had a good report from everyone, and that information had been passed along to John. The facts about this man were well known.
John also knew Demetrius, and he could substantiate the information that had been passed along concerning his benevolence and his excellent character.
I don’t know how many members were in the church where Gaius, Diotrephes, and Demetrius worshipped. There could have been a lot or a few, but John called these three men by name. He pointed them out as examples—one for hospitality, one for loving preeminence, and one for having a good report from everyone.
Which one would we be? For what are we known in our congregation? Would our congregations be stronger if everyone was just like you or me?
Paul once told the Corinthians, “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ” (First Corinthians 11:1). His concern was in the example a Christian would be to a weak brother or an unbeliever. He said, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved” (First Corinthians 10:31-33).
He wanted Christians to imitate him as he imitated Christ. He didn’t want preeminence or acknowledgement. He just wanted to be like Christ. Christ was his example and should be ours.
When Peter spoke to the first Gentile convert, Cornelius, he spoke about Jesus. One of the things he said about the Lord was, “He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him” (Acts 10:38).
While we can’t miraculously heal today; and we can’t confront the devil in the same way Jesus did, we can go about doing good. We have opportunities every day to do something good.
So, which of these men would John use to describe you? Are you hospitable, full of good works, benevolent; or are you full of pride, argumentative, an authoritarian who gives orders and makes judgments without authority? Are you humble, meek and kind; or are you one who runs people away from the church?
“For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:14 KJV).
Sandra Oliver