3 JOHN LESSON 1


     We will begin this letter written by John in III John 1:1 "The
elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth."

     We find this letter to be a personal letter written by John to
his friend Gaius. Notice, he is a friend that John loves very much.
The reason that John thinks so much of him is because he, also, is a
student of truth. To be in the truth, it would have to be part of you.

     III John 1:2 "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest
prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth."

     John's wish for Gaius to prosper has a condition on it. He knows
that his soul is prospering, and John wants him blessed to that
extent. Good clean living brings good health many times. Some of the
diseases that we have, we bring on ourselves with the type of life we
live.  This is not always the case, but is true many times. For
instance, look at the problems the doctors have discovered that
smoking cigarettes has brought. Another good example is the disease
A.I.D.S. Not all cases are brought about by drug use and by homosexual
activity, but by far the majority of the cases are. At least we can
cut down our chances for these diseases by good clean living.

     III John 1:3 "For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and
testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the
truth."

     It seems that John has received a glowing report of Gaius walking
true to the gospel message every day. We see from this that Gaius,
indeed, is prospering in his soul. His daily walk bears out his faith
in the truth.

     III John 1:4 "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children
walk in truth."

     This does not mean that this is the physical son of John. It more
probably is someone who John has led to Christ. He is a spiritual son
of John. I can testify, that there is no greater joy than to know
someone you have led to the Lord is walking in the salvation they
received.

     III John 1:5 "Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou
doest to the brethren, and to strangers;"

     It seems that Gaius was filled with hospitality for all the
Christian brothers, whether they were strangers to him, or not. He was
faithfully carrying out the commandment to love God and his fellow
man.

     III John 1:6 "Which have borne witness of thy charity before the
church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly
sort, thou shalt do well:"

     When Gaius stands before the Lord Jesus on judgement day, he will
hear Him say, "Well done thy good and faithful servant". Jesus will
remind Gaius that what he had done to the least of these he had done
for Jesus also, because he did it in love of the brethren. This
brother shared what he had with those less fortunate than himself.

     III John 1:7 "Because that for his name's sake they went forth,
taking nothing of the Gentiles."

     Gaius had helped them and it was not necessary for them to live
of those who were not believers. This has to be speaking of
missionaries that went to carry the gospel message to the lost world.
It seems Gaius' part in this was to furnish them with funds for food
and care.

     III John 1:8 "We therefore ought to receive such, that we might
be fellowhelpers to the truth."

     The person who supplies the support for the missionary is just as
involved in the missionary task, as the one who actually goes with the
message. Gaius will get a missionary's reward. The one who furnishes
the funds is actually a fellowhelper with the missionary.

     III John 1:9 "I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth
to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not."

     We see the opposite of Gaius in Diotrephas. He is a very selfish
man, who wants all of the authority in the church. It is very
difficult for me to believe that anyone would refuse John the
privilege to come to their church. You ministers today, who have been
refused the privilege to preach at a specific church, can take
consolation in this.

     III John 1:10 "Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds
which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not
content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and
forbiddeth them that would, and casteth [them] out of the church."

     It seems that this Diotrephas had some position of authority in
the church, because he had thrown some members out of the church if
they disagreed with him. He had idly babbled malicious things about
John in the church. It seemed he did not want the Christian brothers
to come to the church, and he went so far as to throw the members out
who welcomed other Christian brothers. This is pure jealousy, which
has no place in the church. It seems John has talked to Diotrephas
privately about his problem. He has sent others to speak to him and
since none of this worked. John will expose him to the whole church
when he comes, and it may be his turn to be thrown out. John had great
authority in the early church and this Diotrephas would have to listen
to whatever reprimand John had for him.

     III John 1:11 "Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that
which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil
hath not seen God."

     John does not specifically mention Diotrephas, but that is
probably who John says not to follow here. This is another explanation
that men are what their daily lives are. If they live evil lives, they
are not of God. If they live good wholesome lives, loving their
neighbors and God, they are Christians.

     III John 1:12 "Demetrius hath good report of all [men], and of
the truth itself: yea, and we [also] bear record; and ye know that our
record is true."

     Demetrius had to be the one who brought this letter. He was a
trusted Christian. He lived before other Christian in such a way that
they all knew he was a Christian. John is standing good for Demetrius.
John is giving him a good personal reference here. Demetrius stood up
for the truth. John reminds them of his own character here, when he
tells them that his report is true.

     III John 1:13 "I had many things to write, but I will not with
ink and pen write unto thee:"

     John explains that there was no need to write more, because he
was coming to see them, and he would tell them then.

     III John 1:14 "But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall
speak face to face. Peace [be] to thee. [Our] friends salute thee.
Greet the friends by name."

     This is a typical closing to John's letter. He promises to come
and see them real soon. When you have Jesus, you have the peace which
passes understanding. He includes all the believers, when he speaks of
friends in his greeting.





















                          3 John 1 Questions


1.  Who was this letter written to?
2.  What was John's feelings toward them?
3.  What kind of letter would this be classed as?
4.  How could you be in the truth?
5.  John wished that he would ________ and be in good _________.
6.  He wanted him to prosper as his ________ prospered.
7.  What are some diseases we bring upon ourselves?
8.  What caused John to rejoice greatly?
9.  Quote 3 John chapter 1 verse 4.
10. Is Gaius John's real son?
11. It seems that Gaius was filled with ___________ to the brothers in
    Christ.
12. What really good trait did verse 6 say he had?
13. What will Gaius hear Jesus say on judgement day?
14. Who did the missionaries not have to take help from, because of
    Gaius' generosity?
15. The person who supplies the funds for the missionary is a
    ______________ with the missionary.
16. Who was the man causing the trouble in the church?
17. What was his problem?
18. What had Diotrephas done against John?
19. What will John do, about this situation when he comes?
20. He that doeth good is of ______.
21. Who brought this letter?
22. What kind of a person was Demetrius?
23. Who, besides John, sent a greeting?