3 John

Read 3 John

Helpful Background Information: 

• 3 John was written by the Apostle John, likely between 80 and 90 A.D., during his ministry in Ephesus. Unlike 2 John, which was written to a church, 3 John is written to an individual named Gaius. As a very personal letter, this work serves three functions. First, to reinforce Gaius’s commitment to the noble work of providing hospitality to travelling missionaries, something he was already doing (vv. 5–8). Second, to draw attention to the intolerable behaviour of Diotrephes and to foreshadow the steps he intends to take in response to it (vv. 9–10). And lastly, to celebrate the faithful Demetrius (v. 12)

• For our purposes today, we must focus on the person of Diotrephes. Unlike Gaius, who showed kindness and hospitality to traveling gospel preachers, Detrephes appeared to do the opposite. Diotrephes is described as desiring to “put himself first” - conveying the idea that Diotrphes was selfish, self-seeking, and self-promoting, who served no one, and wanted everyone to serve him. His pride caused him to refuse hospitality, kick faithful believers out of churches, and even slander the Apostle John and his co-workers. 

Reflection Questions: 

• Reread the entirety of Jesus’s instruction to the crowd to “Take up your cross and follow me” in Mark 8:34-38. How do Jesus’s commands contrast with the behavior of Diotrephes in 3 John? Write down 3 observations. 

• Are there areas in your own life where you’re tempted to “put yourself first” like Diotrephes? What would it look like to deny yourself in those areas? 

• How can you cultivate a spirit of humility and service like Gaius in a culture that often rewards pride and self-promotion?