3 John

What This Book Is

The shortest book in the Bible: a personal note about three men, one generous, one domineering, and one well spoken of.

Overview

3 John is the shortest book in the Bible, and it is remarkable for how ordinary its subject is. There is no doctrinal argument, no vision, and no theological crisis. It is a note about hospitality and a difficult person.

Gaius, the recipient, is commended. He has been welcoming travelling believers, including strangers, and they have reported his love to the whole church. The writer says he has no greater joy than to hear that his children are walking in the truth. He encourages Gaius to keep sending them on their way in a manner worthy of God, and adds the reason: they went out for the sake of the Name, accepting nothing from non believers, so supporting them makes us fellow workers for the truth.

Then comes Diotrephes, described in a few words that anyone who has been in a church for long will recognise. He likes to put himself first. He refuses to acknowledge the writer's authority, talks wicked nonsense about him, refuses to welcome the travelling believers himself, and stops those who want to, putting them out of the church.

Third is Demetrius, who receives a good report from everyone.

The instruction to Gaius is simple: do not imitate evil but imitate good. Then the writer says he has much to write but would rather not use pen and ink, and hopes to come and speak face to face.

That is the whole book, and it survives because ordinary church life, generosity, ego, and reputation, is worth Scripture's attention.

Structure

• Verses 1 to 8: GaiusCommended for hospitality, and encouraged to keep supporting travellers.
• Verses 9 to 10: DiotrephesA man who likes to put himself first, and the damage he does.
• Verses 11 to 15: Demetrius and closingA good report, and a wish to speak face to face.

Themes

Why It Matters

3 John dignifies unglamorous faithfulness. Gaius does nothing dramatic; he houses people, and the letter calls that being a fellow worker for the truth. It is also honest that a single person insisting on being first can obstruct good work, and that Scripture names such behaviour rather than politely ignoring it. Anyone who has hosted, funded, or quietly supported someone else's work is in this letter.

How to Read It

• Read it in three minutes and notice that nothing in it is dramatic.
• Read verse 8 and consider who you are making yourself a fellow worker with.
• Read the description of Diotrephes and check it honestly against yourself.
• Notice that supporting others is treated as ministry, not as a lesser contribution.

Key Verse

Did You Know?

• At fourteen verses, 3 John is the shortest book in the Bible by verse count.
• It is one of the few New Testament books with no quotation of the Old Testament.
• Diotrephes is one of the few people in Scripture described almost entirely negatively and by name.

Where to Start Reading