Introduction to the third letter of John

The 64th book of the Bible, the 25th in the New Testament

The third and final epistle of the Apostle John addresses a topic that is also touched upon in the Second Epistle of John, though this time from a different perspective.

In the early centuries, the spread of the Christian faith relied primarily on the missionary work of itinerant preachers and traveling evangelists, just as the apostles themselves had been.

In order to make the good news of Jesus Christ—God’s offer of reconciliation to the whole world—known even among the pagan nations, they depended on the support of existing congregations.

However, this could also pose a danger to a congregation, for it allowed false teachers to infiltrate the communities, where they spread their false teachings, causing unrest and divisions.

In his second letter, John warns the “chosen lady” of this very danger and urges her to examine the teachings of those itinerant preachers before welcoming them into the community.

In this third, personal letter to Gaius, the apostle commends the recipient for his practical love shown toward the missionaries.
He had not only provided them with lodging but had also equipped them for their further work.

At the same time, there was an influential man named Diotrephes in the church to which Gaius belonged; he apparently sought to exercise sole authority.
He forbade the members—even under threat of excommunication—from showing hospitality and support to itinerant missionaries.
Furthermore, he questioned the apostle’s authority and slandered him in the church with malicious claims.

We do not know whether this was merely a lust for power or whether Diotrephes was preaching heresy, but John plans to visit the church to hold him personally accountable.

The same applies to the period of origin of the Third Epistle of John as to his second epistle.
Either they were written before John’s exile—and thus also before the Revelation of Jesus Christ—or only after the apostle’s return, that is, between the years 85 and 97 A.D.
The letter does not reveal the exact location of Gaius’s church, but it is most likely one of the cities in western Asia Minor.

Outline of the Third Epistle of John:

Content of the third letter of John:

3. John chapter 1