3 John

Text: 3 John

Title: Hospitality and Kindness

Series: The Johns

I. Introduction:

A. Background:

Authorship/ Speaker

1. John—disciple and apostle

2. firsthand eyewitness

Date: AD 90-95

Setting: Ephesus

who (are the people)

a. Gaius a member of a church (v.1)

why (the reason/ purpose)

a. address lack of hospitality shown to faithful ministries (v.9,10)

1) Diotrephes

b. “hospitality” kindness to strangers; welcome

1) receiving and entertaining strangers or guests without reward

2) friendly to new people

3) loving strangers

2 John: Topics

1. hospitality, kindness and love should be guided by truth.

2. We are not to accept everyone but have discernment about who we show hospitality and kindness to.

3. some of the threats to the basic truths of the faith.

4. truth determines the bounds of love; staying in God’s commands and avoiding false teachers

2 John was about not showing hospitality to false teachers; 3 John is about showing hospitality to Christians who are living according to the truth

B. Proposition:

We should care for and be hospitable to Christians who abide in sound doctrine

C. Main Divisions:

1. Gaius: Living According to the Truth (v.1-8)

2. Diotrephes: Refusing To Show Hospitality and Kindness: The Bad Role Model (v. 9-11)

3. Demetrius: Having a Good Testimony: The Good Role Model (v.12)

II. Exposition:

Gaius: Living According to the Truth (v.1-8)

A. Opening (v.1)

1. 3Jn 1:1 NKJV

(1) The Elder, To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth:

a. “love” G 25

1. sacrificially, selflessly, consistently, unconditionally, actively

b. “truth” G225

1. moral and religious

2. agreeing with appearance

3. purity from error and falsehood (WSD)

4. in NT, divine truth or faith and practice of the true gospel (WSD)

5. not merely the equivalent of an adverb ("truly"), but is a theological statement affirming the orthodoxy of Gaius, to whom the letter is addressed (NET)

c. “in” G1722 “en”

1. prep: remaining in place; at rest in something/one

2. contact; union;

3. means or occasion by which any action is accompanied

a) manner or basis

2. John loves Gaius in truth

a. John loves, sacrificially, unconditionally and non-reciprocally in truth or practicing truth

1) love that rests in truth; love that is carried out on the basis or manner of truth

b. not living with falsehood or impurity

c. not blind love

d. love that is consistent with the fundamental truths of the faith (v. 4; 1John 2:21; 3:19)< JMSB

e. Gaius knew the truth and practiced it

1) living in agreement with the truth or belief

2) his faith worked, it was active for it was demonstrated by his hospitality especially for strangers

3) does not mean accepting everyone-- false teachers (2John 10)

f. John calls Gaius “beloved” four times in this letter (v.1-2, 5, 11)

a) beloved means dear friend, worthy of love

1) spoken only of Christians as united with God or with each other in the bonds of holy love. (WSD)

B. Prayer (v.2)

1. 3Jn 1:2 NKJV

(2) Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.

2. 3Jn 1:2 NLT

(2) Dear friend, I hope all is well with you and that you are as healthy in body as you are strong in spirit.

3. John prays that all things may go well with Gaius and for him to be in good health just as it is well with his soul or spiritual condition

a. Gaius is strong in his faith and has a hospitable humble spirit

b. Gaius may have been sick or recovering (Wiersbe)

C. Summary

1. John loved Gaius in truth

2. love is consistent with the fundamental truths of the faith

3. Gaius was strong in his faith and had a hospitable humble spirit

D. Application

1. Do you love in truth? or in falsehood?

2. Do you have a hospitable spirit?

Praise Report (v.3-8)

A. 3Jn 1:3-8 NKJV

(3) For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth.

(4) I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

(5) Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the brethren and for strangers,

(6) who have borne witness of your love before the church. If you send them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God, you will do well,

(7) because they went forth for His name's sake, taking nothing from the Gentiles.

(8) We therefore ought to receive such, that we may become fellow workers for the truth.

1. “faithfully” G4103

a. worthy of trust; reliable

2. “manner worthy of God”-- treating people as God would treat them (JMSB)

3. “walking according to the truth”

a. conduct that results when a person has "truth" residing within, and possibly alludes to the indwelling Spirit of Truth (see 2Jo_1:2) (NET)

B. John was very happy when fellow Christians told him about the true doctrine that is in Gaius and how he lives according to the truth (v.3-4)

1. 3Jn 1:3 MSG

(3) I was most happy when some friends arrived and brought the news that you persist in following the way of Truth.

2. 3Jn 1:3-4 NLT

(3) Some of the traveling teachers recently returned and made me very happy by telling me about your faithfulness and that you are living according to the truth.

(4) I could have no greater joy than to hear that my children are following the truth.

2. the way he lived was according to or in harmony or agreement with true doctrine and teaching

3. his spiritual reputation or faith was known by many

4. Gaius lived out what he spoke

a. he not only knew the truth but practiced it in his life

5. his conduct was the result of the truth that was within him

6. John's love and hospitality was always consistent with the fundamental truths of the faith

a. he uses the word “truth” 6 times in this letter

C. Gaius has already acted faithfully or demonstrated faithfulness by caring for the traveling Christians (v.5)

1. John is going to ask Gaius for additional help for these missionaries (NET)

a. he commends Gaius for all that he has already done

2. he faithfully or reliably does whatever he does for the Christians even though they are strangers

a. his faith is active, it works (Jam 2:14-17)

3. he genuinely and practically loved people

a. those whom he cared for bore witness or reported of his love to John and the church

b. in NT times, travel was dangerous and inns were evil, scarce and expensive (JMSB)

4. he sent them off on their journey in a manner worthy of or that pleases God (v.6)

a. his hospitality and kindness was praiseworthy

1. 1Pe 4:8-9 NKJV

(8) And above all things have fervent love for one another, for "LOVE WILL COVER A MULTITUDE OF SINS."

(9) Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.

b. he received them kindly

c. he treated them as God would

1) Mat 10:40 NKJV

(40) "He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.

d. treating others in a way that pleases God requires knowledge of what God likes

1. Col 1:9-10 NKJV

(9) For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

(10) [so] that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;

2. Php 2:3-4 NKJV

(3) Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.

(4) Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

a. God calls us to humility

b. humility includes putting others before yourself

3. Joh 13:34-35 NKJV

(34) A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

(35) By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

e. the Christian travelers went out for God's name's sake (v.7)

1. why Gaius does well to care for them

2. they are not like the people in 2 John

a. false teachers did not agree that God the Son, Jesus, was fully God and fully man

b. they lead people into a false view of Christ and were against Christ

3. they represented Jesus well

4. they went out under Jesus' authority, character, reputation and power (v.7-8)

5. they were not in ministry for the money

f. they took nothing from the gentiles, pagans or non believers

1. they did not depend on the support of nonchristians for their ministry

2. the church, other Christians supported them

3. they had good motives

4. John said that those who give hospitality and kindness share in the works (good or bad) of those receiving it

a. 2Jn 1:10-11 NKJV

(10) If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him;

(11) for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.

g. they depended on believers for food and lodging (Wiersbe)

h. Gaius was motivated to help by love

5. John says we should receive people like them so that we may become coworkers for the truth or in cooperation with the truth of the gospel (v.8)

a. All true Christians ought to support the endeavors of these traveling missionaries in their efforts to counteract the heretical teaching of the opponents (NET)

1. those who support them become coworkers with the Spirit of God himself.

b. we should treat them as God would

c. not supporting just anybody who claims to work for God but those living according to the truth

d. Gaius was not motivated to be first among others with selfish, self centered, self seeking motives

1. Heb 13:16 NKJV

(16) But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

2. 1Jn 3:18 NKJV

(18) My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.

3. Rom 12:9-13 NKJV

(9) Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.

(10) Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;

(11) not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;

(12) rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;

(13) distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.

4. Gal 6:9-10 NKJV

(9) And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

(10) Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

e. we don't always know who we are being kind to

1. Heb 13:1-2 NKJV

(1) Let brotherly love continue.

(2) Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.

2. we are called to not only be hospitable to our friends but to strangers

D. Summary

1. Gaius lived according to true doctrine

2. Gaius acted faithfully or demonstrated faithfulness by caring for the traveling Christians

3. he genuinely and practically loved people

4. those whom he cared for bore witness or reported of his love to John and the church

5. his hospitality and kindness was praiseworthy

6. treating others in a way that pleases God requires knowledge of what God likes

7. the Christian travelers went out for God's name's sake

8. Christians ought to support the endeavors of missionaries who are living according to the truth

E. Application

1. Do you live in agreement with the truth of the gospel?

2. Is your faith lived out in your life?

3. Are you hospitable and kind to Christians even those whom you do not know?

4. Do you treat others in a way that pleases God?

5. What is your motivation for helping others in need?

Diotrephes: Refusing To Show Hospitality and Kindness:

The Bad Role Model (v. 9-11)

A. 3Jn 1:9-11 NKJV

(9) I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us.

(10) Therefore, if I come, I will call to mind his deeds which he does, prating against us with malicious words. And not content with that, he himself does not receive the brethren, and forbids those who wish to, putting them out of the church.

1. “preeminence”

a. selfish; self centered; self seeking (JMSB)

b. to love or desire to be first

2. “church” v.9

a. not the same as the one in v.6 where John is

b. the one Diotrephes is in charge of (NET)

3. “receive”

a. accept or acknowledge

b. used with kindness and hospitality

4. “prating” G5396

a. talkative; babbler

b. talk idly or falsely (WSD)

5. “malicious” G4190

a. wicked

b. evil in a moral or spiritual sense

c. causing pain or hurt

d. vicious

B. John now talks about Diotrephes who is a bad role model of hospitality

1. John wrote a letter to his church but his apostolic authority was rejected (v.9, 10)

a. letter was lost

b. maybe he never read it to the church

c. if John visits Gaius, he will personally call to mind or call attention to the deeds Diotrephes does (v.10)

2. John contrasts Gaius' hospitality with Diotrephes' inhospitality

3. Diotrephes' evil deeds (v.9-10)

a. he loves to have the preeminence among people (v.9)

1. he wanted everyone to serve him

2. he loves or desire to be first among people

3. he is arrogant

a. giving one's self an undue degree of importance; haughty; conceited (Webster)

b. he did not receive John and the others (v.9)

1. he did not receive or accept in kindness or hospitality John or the traveling missionaries (Mark 9:35)

2. he refused to have anything to do with them

3. he disobeyed his leaders

Heb 13:7 NLT

(7) Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and follow the example of their faith.

Heb 13:17 NLT

(17) Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit.

4. he was not obeying the character of a bishop or pastor

a) 1Ti 3:2 NKJV

(2) A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach;

c. he prattles against them with malicious words (v.10)

1. he brought unjustified charges or lies against them with evil words

2. he spoke nonsense and falsely against John and the others with evil, vicious words

3. he accused them of evil things

4. two or three witnesses are required to bring a charge against a pastor (1Tim 5:19)

d. he did not receive the traveling Christians (v.10)

1. he was not hospitable or welcoming to them

e. he forbids those who want to receive them (v.10)

1. he hindered and denied those who wanted to welcome the missionaries and threw them out of the church

C. John tells Gaius to choose good role models

1. (11) Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God.

a. “imitate” G3401

1. to mimic in a good sense (WSD)

2. to follow as an example

b. “good” G18

1. of good construction or nature

2. useful

3. upright; honorable

4. verb (G15) do something which profits others; do right

c. “seen” G3708

1. to become acquainted with by experience

2. figuratively meaning to know Him, be acquainted with Him, know His character, only in John's writings (Joh_1:18; Joh_6:46; Joh_14:7, Joh_14:9; Joh_15:24; 1Jn_3:6; 1Jn_4:20; 3Jn_1:11). (WSD)

d. “evil” G2556

1. of bad nature

2. mode of acting, thinking, feeling

3. bad in heart, conduct, character (WSD)

2. John encourages Gaius to not imitate or follow as an example what is evil, wicked but what is good, godly, useful and right

a. those who do good or right are of God or are born from Him

1. they know God's moral character

2. they show that they are God's children by their behavior

b. Demetrius could have been a traveling missionary (NET)

c. those who do evil, wickedness, has not seen God

1. they do not know God personally and so are not really saved

2. their behavior, actions, words gives them away and reveals the truth

3. actions are louder than words

3. John says behavior is a test of genuine faith (NET) (John 3:17-21)

a. 1Jn 3:6 NKJV

(6) Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him.

b. 1Jn 3:10, 11, 15 NKJV

(10) In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother.

(11) For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another,

(15) Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.

c. 1Jn 4:7 NKJV

(7) Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.

d. 1Jn 4:20 NKJV

(20) If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?

3. Diotrephes' actions prove that he was never really a Christian (JMSB/NET)

a. he failed to practice righteousness and to love other Christians

D. Jesus said the greatest is the servant

1. Mat 20:26-28 NKJV

(26) Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant.

(27) And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave--

(28) just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

a. “Great” G3173

1) Fig. in ability, virtue, authority, power

b. “servant” G1249

1) commander

2) deacon-- serving/helping elders

3) waiter-- serving food

c. “first” G4413

1) Fig. in rank, position, influence, honor

d. “slave” G 1401

1) involuntary service

2) voluntary service, obedience, devotion (Matt 20:27)-- modesty or humility (WSD)

3) bond servant-- one who sells himself into slavery to another (NET)

e. “ransom” G3083

1) price paid to redeem (free) a slave or prisoner (JMSB)

2) offered to God to satisfy His wrath and justice against sin (JMSB)

a) the meaning of the Cross

3) paid by Christ for the delivering of men from the bondage of sin and death (WSD)

2. Context

a. James and John's mom asked Jesus if her two sons could sit at the exalted, favored

position in His kingdom (v.20-23)

b. Jesus discusses greatness and leadership in the kingdom of God

3. Jesus describes how to become great or first in His kingdom

a. completely the opposite of Diotrephes' philosophy

b. Gentile leaders dominated or lord and use their authority over the people under them

but Jesus' disciples are not to follow their example (v.25-26)

c. whoever wants to become great in authority, and virtue, power must first be a servant, helping and waiting on others

1) requires self sacrifice and putting the needs of others first

d. whoever wants to be first in rank, position or influence must first be a slave, voluntarily serving and obeying others in humility

4. Jesus modeled what He taught

a. God the Son did not come to earth to be served by people but to serve and to give His life as a payment to God in place of many

b. He ultimately is the greatest and first

5. Gaius was a great servant unlike Diotrephes

6. Application

a. Do you want to be great and first in this world or in God's kingdom?

b. If you want to be great and first in this world, you will be last in God's kingdom (Matt 19:20; 20:16)

c. Are you a servant, helping and waiting on others, putting your own needs last? (Phil 2:5-11)

d. Are you following Jesus' examples of servanthood?

E. Summary

1. Diotrephes is a bad role model of hospitality

2. Diotrephes' evil deeds

3. John encouraged Gaius to not imitate or follow as an example what is evil and wicked but what is good, godly, useful and right

4. behavior is a test of genuine faith

5. the servant is the greatest

6. whoever wants to become great in authority, and virtue, power must first be a servant, helping and waiting on others

F. Application

1. How do you respond when people correct you? Do you accept or reject it?

2. Do you desire to be first among others with selfish, self centered, self seeking motives?

3. Do you speak falsely and evil of others?

4. How well do you receive Christians? God's people?

Demetrius: Having a Good Testimony:

The Good Role Model (v.12)

A. Demetrius' Good Example (v.12)

1. 3Jn 1:12 NKJV

(12) Demetrius has a good testimony from all, and from the truth itself. And we also bear witness, and you know that our testimony is true.

2. 3Jn 1:12 NLT

(12) Everyone speaks highly of Demetrius, as does the truth itself. We ourselves can say the same for him, and you know we speak the truth.

3. Demetrius does good, he has a good testimony or report from everyone including the truth itself and John

a. John uses Demetrius as an example of good for Gaius to imitate

b. John compares Demetrius who does good with Diotrephes who does evil and is not a genuine believer

c. those who know God personally have His moral character and do right (1John 3:6, 10; 4:7)

d. Gaius and Demetrius love other believers as their behavior reveals (1Jo 4:7, 20)

4. Demetrius was probably going to Gaius' church and needed hospitality and assistance, so John writes to commend him to Gaius and vouch for him. (NET)

a. “Demetrius may well have been the leader of a delegation of traveling missionaries, and may even have been the bearer of this letter to Gaius.”

B. Character of a true servant of God

1. 1Ti 6:11-12 NKJV

(11) But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.

(12) Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

a. “flee” G5343

1. to keep away

2. to escape danger

3. metaphor: to avoid something abhorrent

b. “pursue” G1377

1. to make to run or flee

2. to run swiftly in order to catch

3. to follow after someone

4. metaphor: to seek after eagerly and diligently in order to obtain; go after

(WSD)

c. “righteousness” G1343

1. condition acceptable to God; purity of life in feeling and behavior

2. right standing before a holy God

d. “godliness” G4102

1. reverence; respect; devotion toward God; proper attitude and manner of life (lifestyle) toward Christ (WSD)

2. God-likeness

e. “faith” G4102

1. trust, confidence, faithfulness, firm and confiding belief in Jesus and His gospel (WSD)

f. “love” G 26

1. agape: sacrificial, unconditional, consistent, selfless, non reciprocal

g. “patience” G 5281

1. endurance or perseverance to circumstances

h. “gentleness” G4239

1. meekness: power under control

a) getting angry at the right time, in the right measure and for the right reason (WSD)

i. “fight” G75

1. compete well

2. to enter a contest

3. to contend, struggle with difficulties and dangers

4. to endeavor with zeal to obtain something

j. “lay hold” G 1949

1. take possession of; overtake; attain

k. “good confession”

1. Tim's public acknowledgment of Jesus-- Baptism or ordination (NET)

l. “Eternal life”

1) CARM

a) life everlasting in the presence of God (John 17:3)

b) knowing God the Father and Jesus Christ

c) believers have it now

d) reaches its final state at the resurrection of believers

2) Torrey

a) those who have it will never be condemned, never experience the second death (Rom 8:1; Col 1:13)

b) those who have it are forgiven of their sins past, present, future

c) a relationship with Jesus that will never end (John 17:3)

d) is in Christ alone (Rom 6:23; 1 John 5:11, 13)

e) a free gift of God (Rom 6:23)

2. Paul encourages Tim as a man of God to stay strong in his ministry and to imitate those things that are good: 4 Commands

a. To flee or keep away from the love of money, pride, disputes, arguments, envy (.v 3-5; 6-10)

b. To pursue or follow after righteousness or right living before God; godliness, god- likeness; faith or trust in Christ and His word; agape love; patience, endurance in all circumstances; gentleness or power under control (v.11)

c. To fight or compete well for the faith, resisting Satan, temptations, world system, flesh, and false teaching (v.12; 3-10)

d. To lay hold or take possession of the eternal life which Tim has been called for and made public confession for (v. 12)

1. Paul tells Tim to recall and keep in mind the eternal life or salvation of his faith

3. Application

a. Are you keeping away from ungodly, unprofitable things?

b. Are you pursuing right living, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness?

c. Are you resisting evil?

d. Are you remaining steadfast in your faith?

C. Closing (v.13-14)

1. (13) I had many things to write, but I do not wish to write to you with pen and ink;

(14) but I hope to see you shortly, and we shall speak face to face. Peace to you. Our friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.

a. “peace”

1) between people

2) security and safety, prosperity, health

3) Christ's peace and salvation

4) assurance of salvation through Christ

a) peace with God

2. John ends his letter by telling Gaius that he hopes to seen him in person

a. he trusts to see him soon

1) somethings are better said in person-- face to face

b. John prays that he may have peace

D. Summary

1. Demetrius did good, he had a good testimony or report

2. Character of a true servant of God

3. Gaius and Demetrius loved other believers as their behavior reveals

4. John used Demetrius as an example of good for Gaius to imitate

E. Application

1. Who do you look to as a role model?

2. What kind of example or role model are we to others?

3. What do your character and behavior reveal about your relationship with God?

4. Do you have a good report from people?

5. Can others speak well of your character?

6. Is Is there someone you like to visit?

7. Do you pray that others may have peace, security, health?

8. How often do you encourage others? Praising them for their faith?

III. Summation:

We learned that hospitality and kindness is restricted to those who abide in sound doctrine, that behavior is a test of genuine faith, the importance of good role models to follow, and the character of a true servant of God. We should support missionaries and other Christians who are living according to the truth.

IV. Invitation:

What does your character and behavior reveal about your relationship with God? Gaius and Demetrius loved other believers, they had God's moral character, remained to the true doctrine and did what was right unlike Diotrephes and the false teachers. How about you?