3rd John
A Bible study by Kathy Kearney
John writes this letter to commend two men for whom he has great love and regard, and to condemn one for whom he has disdain. He intends to deal with this quasi- dictator when he arrives. A letter would be wasted on this guy. Face to face is what is needed.
We are to protect our families and our brothers and sisters in Christ from harsh taskmasters. I think we have confused tolerance with acceptance. We do not tolerate abuse of people, nor do we accept it. Both are abhorrent, and I think God will hold us accountable. If someone in your realm is being hassled by a church leader that oversteps the bounds of shepherding, you should be there to either urging them to leave or urging them to confront.
Verses 1 – 8:
John loves Gaius in the truth. His opening is much like the previous letter. He’s glad to hear that his children (must have had some ministry to these people) are walking in the truth.
John urges hospitality. We are all to be hospitable, but there is a special gift of hospitality that some may not have. I’ve often said I have a three-day gift of hospitality. Some people can open their homes to everyone for lengthy stays. Their front door is like a turnstile, in and out of which pass all sorts of guests. But after three days, I’m likely to think guests have graduated to pests. However, I must say, when the need is there, God is there too, working His amazing grace in my heart. Consequently, I haven’t done away with too many of the fellowship.
Apparently Gaius had this gift, and also the gift of discernment too. He was entertaining strangers that furthered the cause of Christ among his people. And John commends him for acting faithfully. He refreshed them and sent them on their way strengthened to minister in the next village. Paul speaks of Philemon this way.
Years ago, Dewey and I attended a Bible study held by friends of ours who were home on furlough from the mission field with Wycliffe Bible Translators. We had so many unanswered questions about our faith. We belonged to a church that preached their doctrine rather than God’s Word.
One day a young couple (Ted and Trish) our age, with three kids the age of our three, moved in across the street from us. After getting to know them better, they asked if we would like to study the Bible with them. So we started, just the four of us. Then we invited some friends of ours, and the group grew to about eight, then ten, then fifteen. We met for over a year. The group became close, but with an open door for others. After a year, they returned to Mexico. We were saddened to think that our studies would come to an end.
“Oh, no,” said Ted to Dewey. “You teach!”
Dewey nearly fainted with fear. He told Ted how inadequate he felt, but Ted asked him to pray about it.
Meanwhile, Trish and I were meeting for Bible study on Tuesday mornings. She asked me to teach her the Gospel of Matthew.
I teach her! This woman graduated from one of the top Bible colleges in the U.S. She was a translator with Wycliffe. I teach her!
“Yes,” she said. “You seem to have the gift of teaching.”
So with fear and trepidation I began teaching Trish the Gospel of Matthew.
One day I asked her if she could possibly learn anything from me.
“You bet,” she affirmed. “Why, Kathy, God teaches me things through you that you were meant to share with me. I never looked at certain verses that way.” Soon, I was teaching a neighborhood study of women. Trish sat through all my classes for that year, never interrupting, correcting or acting in any other way than just another seeker of truth. What a teaching and humble heart! This class lasted for 3 years after her return to Mexico.
Trish was like the elder John. She affirmed that truth that was abiding in me as well as in her.
Dewey began teaching our evening group before Ted and Trish left. We moved the Bible study to our home, and they came and listened to him teach-never interrupting, correcting or acting in any other way than just two seekers of truth.
We held a big party for them the week they left for Mexico. Our group was good sized by then, and eventually grew to twenty five or more. It met in our home for 5 years. A great many of the group were marines from the El Toro and the Tustin Helicopter base here in Orange County. Some are in the ministry today, and as far as I know are many are going on with the Lord.
We see some of them from time to time, and two couples are still our best friends. We visit them often during vacations.
Meanwhile, we wrote to Ted and Trish, and told them of our studies and the wonderful things that were happening during the first year of their return to Mexico. We got a letter from Ted at the end of that year and the opening line was verse four of this little letter. “I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.”
III John 4
So you might say we’ve lived this letter in some respects. What a blessing.
The gift of hospitality is more than just food and drink and entertainment. It’s encouragement, love, and exhortation. Two of our dear friend’s Gene and Vi have this gift. You leave their house a better person, more devoted to Christ. They take in the wounded and keep them on the path while they’re being healed. Knowing they are merely a step along the way, they relinquish them to the next people. They don’t assume ownership, and they don’t parent.
John says these ministers went out for the sake of the Name-that’s Christ. With no help from Gentiles (or unbelievers). Today, we have churches taking aid from the government, and I think it’s turning around to bite them. If a church or ministry takes help from the secular government, that government eventually will enforce ownership over the way the church is run.
Years ago we belonged to the Salvation Army. The Army accepted community funds to build its church, part of which was a fellowship hall and gymnasium. Part of the stipulation for the loan was no Cross on the outside of the building. We couldn’t believe it when the Army complied. A dangerous precedent.
Churches often compromise great principles of Scripture to keep tax-exempt status. And for that compromise, the government can dictate policy. Is government then the god of the Church? Did the government die for the Church? Is the government in the process of presenting the church as the Bride of Christ in heaven?
Verses 9 – 12:
An identifying trait about those who lead others away from truth is they love being first. Our daughter has a friend who belongs to a church manned by someone like this guy. They are so controlling that her in-laws (who attend that church) are worried about her attending the Tuesday night Bible study at my daughter’s home. What they’re really afraid of is that she will begin to think for herself and see them for what they are.
John promises to deal with this issue when he comes. This guy lies, takes control, excommunicates people, and forbids the receiving of other ministers. Imagine refusing to submit to the authority of an apostle of Christ who knew Him personally when He walked this earth. This man has forgotten something important, or has chosen to ignore it: This is Christ’s church.
Demetrius is the opposite of Diotrephes . Demetrius has received a good report on everything right down the line. He is a man much like John.
John looks forward to seeing them both in person, at which time he will deal with Diotrephes.
E P I L O G U E
We see the great love of God throughout these three letters. But it isn’t a mush, agree and tolerate all kind of letter. John knows that true love disciplines, and demands accountability not only from the congregation, but from its pastors.
I Timothy 5:20 , Paul says rebuke a sinning elder that all may fear. This is what John probably intends to do with Diotrephes. He isn’t going to let him get away with this authoritarian because it would harm the flock and ultimately, the cause of Christ.
John, an old man by now, still sings the praises of the Lord, and still considers himself to be that “disciple who the Lord loves.” And so should we all who name the name of Christ. Every believer can say without fear of rebuke or censure, “I am the one the Lord loves.” For we are the children of God, equally loved and diversely gifted members of the Body of Christ.
