THIRD JOHN by Paul Southern

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THIRD JOHN

1. THE TITLE

This book is so called because it is the third of three epistles by John.

2. THE WRITER

It is generally agreed that the writer of this epistle was the apostle John. He calls himself "the elder," and the closing verses are almost identical with those of the second letter. The points presented concerning the authorship of the second would also apply to the third epistle.

3. TO WHOM ADDRESSED

Third John is addressed to an individual by the name of Gaius (1), a personal friend of the writer. The identity of the person is hard to determine. Although some connect him with the Gaius of Romans 16:23 and I Cor 1:14, it is difficult to identify him with any other person thus named in the New Testament. He was probably a convert of John (3,4). Gaius was known for his Christian hospitality, having cared for "brethren and strangers" (5).

4. TIME AND PLACE OF WRITING

Third John was probably written from Ephesus some time after First John, perhaps toward the close of the first century.

5. PURPOSE AND CONTENTS

There was some misunderstanding about receiving certain evangelists. The object of this letter was to commend to the hospitality of Gaius some Christians who were strangers in the place where he lived. These Christians probably carried this letter with them as an introduction to Gaius. The contents center around three men: Gaius, a charitable Christian; Diotrephes, an uncharitable church member; and Demetrius, another worthy Christian. The letter is of special importance because it affords us an insight to the church toward the close of the first century, giving both excellencies and defects, noble and ignoble characters.

6. EXERCISES FOR STUDENT ACTIVITY
1. Completion
1. The word truth occurs _______ times in III John.
2. The word love occurs _______ times in III John.
3. The word church occurs _______ times in III John.
4. The word friends occurs _______ times in III John.
5. The word brethren occurs _______ times in III John.
6. Third John is addressed to ______________.
7. The addressee walked in the ___________.
8. The writer of III John refers to himself as "the ______________."
9. Gaius was probably a convert of ___________.
2. True-False
1. Gaius was a stranger to John T F
2. Gaius was a Christian T F
3. Diotrephes was known for his humility T F
4. Gaius was a charitable man T F
5. Demetrius was a man of good report T F
6. Diotrephes had talked about John with wicked words T F
7. Third John says nothing about prayer T F
8. John hoped to visit Gaius T F
9. Gaius showed hospitality toward Christians only T F
10. John refers to Christians as "friends" T F
3. Topics for further study
1. What does the epistle teach concerning praying for prosperity?
2. Contrast the character of Gaius and Diotrephes.
3. What happens when an ambitious dictator attempts to control a congregation?

Published in The Old Paths Archive
(http://www.oldpaths.com)