3 John 1:1-14
Q.1. What did John think of Gaius? Why? How was the church to treat missionaries? Why? – (3 Jn.1:1-8)
John loved the commitment of Gaius to the Truth. That is a crucial quality for a leader. John prayed that this leader would prosper in every way. He had heard reports of the faithfulness of Gaius, one of his spiritual children. John expressed his delight – I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth (3 Jn.1:4). How true that is. God’s work is never finished at conversion. John trusted Gaius. He went on to lay down some guiding principles. These were about supporting the unknown itinerant workers who stopped at the church. John identified those worthy of support, as ones who – 7 … went out for the sake of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. 8 Therefore we ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers with the truth (3 Jn.1:7-8). Whenever these servants of God went out, as modelled by Paul, they refused to be seen as opportunists and money-grabbers, so that they could offer the Gospel free of charge (c.f. 1 Cor.9:12; 2 Thes.3:7-9). By supporting church planters and missionaries, Gaius could be a fellow worker with the truth (3 Jn.1:8). That is still the privilege for all members of a local church.
Q.2. What kind of leaders were Diotrephes and Demetrius? How should we respond to leaders? Why did John keep his letter so short? – (3 Jn.1:9-15)
Diotrephes liked to throw his weight around, and – … loves to be first among them, (and) does not accept what we say (3 Jn.1:9). John described the damage done by those who follow the doctrine of the Nicolaitans in Revelation, and who liked to lord it over the church (Rev.2:6 & 15 c.f. 1 Pet.5:3). Diotrephes was one of them. He had undermined John and had usurped the leadership. He refused to support ministers of the Gospel and dis-fellowshipped those who did (3 Jn.1:10). John challenged his readers to exercise discernment, by supporting those who did good, and by opposing those who did evil (3 Jn.3:11). In contrast, John commended the leadership of Demetrius. He revealed that others had spoken highly of his integrity. John knew the danger of misunderstandings arising from written words. Therefore he was unwilling to write more (3 Jn.1:13). He hoped rather to speak with them face to face and clarify his concerns further.