Introduction to 3 John

This is John’s final letter in a series of three which were written sometime before the close of the first century. Much like 2 John, this letter is also addressed to a specific individual, which is rare in New Testament writings. While 2 John was written to an unnamed Christian woman to warn her against showing hospitality to false teachers (2 John 1), this particular letter was written to a man named Gaius (v.1). Although we know little about this man except what is written in John’s letter, we can safely assume that he is a member of one of the churches John oversaw.

Similar in nature to John’s second letter, he writes regarding the issue of kindness and hospitality. In John’s second letter, he warned a certain family about the dangers of showing hospitality to those who spread lies Apparently, false teachers had journeyed into the city where this family lived and took advantage of her hospitality by either staying in her home or receiving some kind of assistance from her. John was not condemning her willingness to help others, but rather her aid to men whose teachings were contrary to the truth. At the heart of his letter are these words, ” If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds” (2 John 10-11). In contrast with his second letter, John writes this one to commend Gaius for demonstrating kindness toward other believers as well as strangers (v.5). However, John is also quick to expose the lack of hospitality of another man named Diotrephes (vv.9-10).

Regardless of this letter’s small size, there is a very important lesson to be learned about the necessity of demonstrating kindness toward others. When a person shows care and concern for the needs of others, he is ultimately reflecting his own love for God. John desired the church to be filled with believers who willingly placed the needs of others above their own and through John’s writing, the reader is able to see an example of a man who lived this reality.

Dear God, make me a person of kindness that I may also demonstrate Your love to others.