3 John 1 Study Notes

1 Dear friend is literally “beloved.” Because God has set his affection on believers, believers are to care deeply for one another (1Jn 4:11). Nothing certain is known about Gaius. The name was common in Roman times, and he was probably not one of the persons by that name mentioned elsewhere in the NT (Ac 19:29; 20:4; 1Co 1:14).

2 On dear friend, see note at v. 1. Good health is valued in every age, but in ancient times it was even more valued since medical care could be ineffective and life expectancy was low. Letters surviving from the period commonly contain this practical good wish, which John reinforced with the words I pray.

3 Joy is a feature of the opening of all John’s letters (1Jn 1:4; 2Jn 4). John’s concerns did not rob him of his delight in Christian faith.

4 On joy, see note at v. 3. My children may point to the fruit of John’s patient and faithful pastoral labors. These may have been converts, or they may have been believers who were encouraged by his ministry. Walking in truth means living in a way that honors and pleases God. It could even refer to living “in Christ” since he is “the truth” (Jn 14:6; see 1Jn 5:20).

5 On dear friend, see note at v. 1. Faith is not merely mental but is demonstrated by how believers live. Jesus taught that his followers should be gracious to everyone, including strangers, and not just to their friends and relatives (Mt 5:43-48).

6 Send them on their journey includes physical and monetary provision, not just verbal good wishes. These laborers for the Lord deserved to be supported in a manner worthy of God because they were doing God’s work (Mt 10:10).

7 The Name could refer either to God himself or to Jesus. Jesus taught that to believe in him is to believe in the one who sent him (Jn 12:44). These workers relied on the Lord and his people, the church, not on pagans, or nonbelievers, for their support.

8 A privilege of Christian identity is to be coworkers with the truth—in sync with what God is doing as well as with fellow servants who are giving their all to do God’s bidding.

9 Wrote something probably refers to a letter that has not been preserved, although some think it could refer to 1 John. There have always been struggles for power and status in the church (Mk 10:37). Diotrephes should have deferred to the authority of the apostle John.

10 The phrase refuses to welcome fellow believers contrasts with those who did great things “for the brothers and sisters” in v. 5. Diotrephes must have been a person with some power in his congregation.

11 On dear friend, see note at v. 1. John did not want Gaius to be like Diotrephes (do not imitate what is evil). A person like Diotrephes might profess Christian faith, but the profession can be bogus (Mt 7:21-23).

12 Possibly Demetrius was supposed to deliver this epistle, so John assured Gaius of his character.

13 With the words don’t want to write, John indicated that this epistle was a stopgap measure until he could pay a personal visit to his readers.

15 Peace harks back to the Hebrew word shalom, indicating God’s living presence and blessing. Greetings and greet . . . by name are reminders that one of the great joys of the household of God is the fellowship of shared commitment to Jesus Christ.