The 3rd Epistle of John

Laindon 17 June 2009

BackgroundAuthor: “the elder” – The Apostle John, not named but

consistent style and content again.

Recipient: Gaius

Location: probably written from Ephesus.(Papias, Polycarp (via Irenaeus), Justin Martyr, Eusebius)Date: Around same time as 2 John - AD 90.

Other characters: my children the brethrenthe church x 2DiotrophesDemetrius

ReconstructionJohn Gaius

The brethrenThe church

Demetrius?

John

The church

Diotrophes

Gaius• Commended for:

– “the truth that is in thee”– “thou walkest in the truth”

• John wrote directly to him because letter to the church was rejected

• John encourages Gaius to continue his good works

Bring forward on journey• Opposite of 2 John case

– “Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are” (ESV)

– “we therefore ought to receive such”• “Fellow helpers to the truth”

– Opposite of ‘partaker of evil deed’

Taking nothing• V7 – “taking nothing of the gentiles”• As Paul – not chargeable

– 1 Thess 2:9– 2 Thess 3:8– 1 Corinthians 9:6-15– “Honour” in 1 Tim 5:3,17

• Is there a Jew / Gentile angle to this?Financial support for those ministering to ecclesias was acceptable. But Paul did not exercise the right

so none could accuse him of abusing it.The brethren sent by John did the same.

For his name’s sake• For his name’s sake

– “there is none other name”– Perhaps because the doctrine of Christ was

being perverted– Cp Rev 2 - John’s letter to his ecclesia“I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy

patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.” Rev 2:2,3

Diotrophes• Did not accept John’s letter“but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself

first, does not acknowledge our authority.” v9 (ESV)

• Loveth to have the pre-eminence,• Speaks malicious words against John• Forbids and casts some out of the church

A familiar behaviour pattern• Challenges to Apostles authority

– 2 Cor 11:5,13-20 – false apostles, if a man take of you, exalt himself

– 2 Tim 1:13-15 – all in Asia turned away from me– Titus 1:9-11 – insubordinate, for filthy lucre– 2 Peter 2:1,3,10 – false teachers, make

merchandise of you, despise government, speak evil of dignities

– Jude 8,11,12 – despise dominion, speak evil, ran greedily, feeding themselves, cause divisions

– Rev 2:2 – Ephesus - false apostlesWhat little we know of Diotrophes sounds similar to

these subversive elements in the ecclesias

DiotrophesDiotrophes

Desires pre-eminenceRejects authorityMalicious wordsCasts out of church

False Apostles

Exalt themselvesDespise dominionSpeak evil of dignitiesCause divisionsTaking filthy lucreFalse doctrine

Taking filthy lucre?False doctrine?

Compare Mark 10:37!

John’s responseHis advice to Gaius• Follow not evil, but imitate good• Based on deeds

Good: receiving brethrenhelping forward the TruthEvil: seeking pre-eminencerejecting genuine visitorscasting others out

His Response• Sending the brethren out• This letter to Gaius• A personal visit

Summary2 John

– Principle linking atonement with unity– Receiving & supporting error is partaking in it– Apostles’ devotion to resist error while edifying an

imperfect body in love– Action driven by love for Truth, not fear

3 John– An example of action in brethren sent out– Gaius’ commended for helping them – receiving &

supporting the Truth is to be a fellowhelper– Diotrophes’ familiar pattern of behaviour– John’s measured response to a rejection of his

efforts – consistent with his teaching