Complete commentary of the book of Third John

The elder Apostle begins by commending one of his son’s in ministry, Gaius to whom this letter is written to. John pronounced blessings upon Gaius:

    

      a. That he be in health, vs.2

      b. That he prospers as his soul prospers, vs. 2

The word prosper in the Greek is euodoo which is a compound of two Greek words. Eu means well. This root is in the word eulogy means to speak well of. This expression is done at funerals. The second word is hodos, means a way of journey.

John was proclaiming physical and spiritual well being on Gaius. A loving gesture from a proud and spiritual father. John was wishing Gaius well. Something we do all the time with people we love and care about.

John was full of joy because his son in faith walked and lived in truth. Gaius’s actions spoke louder than his words which should be the desire of all believers. James said, “Be doers of the word and not hearers only deceiving your own selves” (James 2:22), (vs. 1-4).

John continues to praise Gaius for his love for the brothers and for strangers who noticed Gaius’s love for the church. This is reminiscent of what Jesus commanded when preaching at the sermon on the mount: “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matt 5:16; Eph 2:10).  John also mentioned that Gaius showed this loving hospitality faithfully!

This behavior was a habit, normal for this man of God. As a result the men were supplied with what they needed as they went on their journey needing nothing from the Gentiles. Gaius obviously knew the importance of itinerant ministry and was faithfully engaged in supporting the work of God which a true co-laborer in Christ does.

We now switch reels to a man named Diotrephes who was a usurper- the opposite of Gaius. He did not receive the brethren, and prevented others from doing as well; excommunicating brothers out of the Church that wished to assist brothers in need.  He also spoke lies against John, and mostly likely other elders of the church.

We do not know anything about Diotrephes other than this letter by John. There is no record of where he came from, and how he became apart of this local church which was probably in Asia Minor (modern Turkey). What we do know is what John describes of him. He loved to have the preeminence – it’s the compound Greek word philoproteuo. Philo means love, proteuo to be first. Diotrephes was simply all about him. He did not have a servant’s heart. Even Jesus the King of kings, and Lord of lords said, “I did not come to be served, but to serve, and give my life a ransom for many” (Matt 20:28). Diotrephes was on a slippery slope due to the fact that he disregarded John’s authority who was a pillar in the church. John said if he comes to the church, he will recount this man’s evil deeds (vs. 9, 10).

John also said that Diotrephes was prating against us with malicious words. The word prating comes the Greek word(s) phluareo and phluaros. These words mean when a person talks nonsense, jibberish, babbling, tattler, a liar.

Diotrephes like so many in the church are self-serving, self-centered, narcissistic, and egotistical. In summing up this man, he’s arrogant, talks too much, rejects authority, unwilling  to serve, and is a liar. A tare among the wheat. He could not have been born again.

John admonishes Gaius who this letter is written to imitate good and not evil. Gaius was of God due to his good deeds. Diotrephes was of his father the devil due to his evil deeds (John 8:44), (vs. 11).

John ends his letter to Gaius saying another brother named Demetrius had a good reputation in the region from all and from the truth (the word) and from John as well.

John ends his letter with greetings from his friends (vs. 14).