What is the Book of 3 John about?
The Book of 3 John is a letter in the Bible’s New Testament, traditionally attributed to John the Apostle, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus. The letter is believed to have been written to a specific individual, Gaius, a leader of a Christian community, in the late first century AD, and is a follow-up to the second epistle of John.
The letter serves as a commendation for Gaius’ faithful service to the Christian community and a warning against Diotrephes, a leader in the community who was spreading false teachings and refusing to welcome traveling teachers of the truth. John encourages his readers to imitate Gaius’ example of hospitality and support for the truth and to avoid following Diotrephes’ example of pride and refusal to welcome the truth.
One of the main themes in the Book of 3 John is the importance of hospitality and support for the truth. John commends Gaius for his faithful service, which includes showing hospitality to traveling teachers of the truth and supporting them in their work. He also encourages his readers to imitate Gaius’ example and avoid following Diotrephes’ example of pride and refusal to welcome the truth.
Another theme is the importance of loving one another. John reminds Gaius that he should love the brethren and walk in truth, this highlights the importance of loving one another as Jesus loved us.
Another theme is the importance of rejecting false teachings. John warns Gaius against Diotrephes, who was spreading false teachings and refusing to welcome traveling teachers of the truth, this highlights the importance of rejecting false teachings and avoiding being deceived by them.
What lessons should we take away from the Book of 3 John?
- The importance of hospitality and support for the truth: John commends Gaius for his faithful service, which includes showing hospitality to traveling teachers of the truth and supporting them in their work. He also encourages his readers to imitate Gaius’ example and avoid following Diotrephes’ example of pride and refusal to welcome the truth.
- The importance of loving one another: John reminds Gaius that he should love the brethren and walk in truth, this highlights the importance of loving one another as Jesus loved us.
- The importance of rejecting false teachings: John warns Gaius against Diotrephes, who was spreading false teachings and refusing to welcome traveling teachers of the truth, this highlights the importance of rejecting false teachings and avoiding being deceived by them.
- The importance of obedience: Like the previous letters of John, obedience to God’s commandments is emphasized as a demonstration of love, this highlights the importance of obedience in our faith and how it is connected to love.
- The importance of adhering to the teachings of Jesus: Throughout the letter, John emphasizes the importance of adhering to the teachings of Jesus, this highlights the importance of understanding and adhering to the teachings of Jesus in order to avoid being deceived by false teachings.
- The importance of discernment: John encourages his readers to be discerning and to be aware of false teachings in order to protect their faith, this highlights the importance of being able to recognize false teachings and avoid them.
What are some notable verses from the Book of 3 John?
- 3 John 1:2:
“Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.”
- 3 John 1:4:
“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”
- 3 John 1:11:
“Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God.”
- 3 John 1:14:
“I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face.”
- 3 John 1:15:
“Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends, every one of them.”
In summary, the Book of 3 John is a letter that serves as a commendation for Gaius’ faithful service to the Christian community and a warning against Diotrephes, a leader in the community who was spreading false teachings and refusing to welcome traveling teachers of the truth. The main themes of the book include the importance of hospitality and support for the truth, the importance of loving one another, and the importance of rejecting false teachings. John encourages his readers to imitate Gaius’ example of hospitality and support for the truth, to love one another, and to reject false teachings.