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Bible Study Notes of Rev.Dr.I.J.W.Oakley (19-9-2000 Guisborough Evangelical Church)
Both 2 John and 3 John deal with hospitality. In 2 John
the concern was that the people should not give hospitality to the wrong people.
In 3 John, it is about giving hospitality to the right people. 2 John was
written to a local church, whereas 3 John is written to Gaius, a leading member
of a church. 3 John is more vivid than 2 John, giving us an intimate glimpse
into the life of the church. It centres around three men, Gaius, Diotrephes and
Demetrius. We shall discover that these three men, under different names, can be
found in every church. In fact, there is something of all of them in each of us.
Note that even though this is a
very short intimate letter, it still follows the same format as the longer
letters packed with doctrine, i.e. greeting, mention of good health, the main
body of the letter, and the final greeting. The Christian letters of the New
Testament are not remote, distant and ecclesiastical. They are like ordinary
letters written by ordinary people in the ancient world – except that the
contents are different.
We know nothing about Gaius. It
was one of the most common names in the Roman Empire. It is used five times in
the New Testament referring to different men in churches Paul wrote to or met on
his missionary travels. Some fourth century writings claim that Gaius of Derbe,
who accompanied Paul at the end of his third missionary journey, was the
addressee of this letter. He later became Bishop of Pergamum. What we do know is
that the Gaius to whom John wrote definitely held an important position in the
church. A visiting evangelist had stayed with him. He was highly respected in
the country and very dear to John. My dear friend Gaius, whom I love in the
truth (3 John 1) is how he is described, and John is concerned about his
physical health as well as spiritual health.
What John was most pleased
about: It gave me great joy when some believers came and testified about your
faithfulness to the truth, telling how you continue to walk in it (3 John
3). And yet it was more than just his sound doctrine that delighted, but also
the fact that he was characterised by love: They have told the church about
your love (3 John 6). He had earned this commendation especially because of
his hospitality to visiting missionaries.
This was very important in the
early church. In the Roman Empire, travel was safe and easy, and helped in the
spread of the Gospel. But travel was by foot or horse, and there were no modern
hotels or B&Bs. A first century inn was dirty, flea-infested and immoral,
and innkeepers were notoriously dishonest and deceitful. Plato compared them to
pirates holding their guests to ransom before letting them go. Therefore there
was a system of guest friendships, where families in different places agreed to
give each other hospitality in travel, and they identified themselves by a
token.
Christians also realized the
importance of hospitality to one another, and the New Testament stresses this. Practice
hospitality (Romans 12:13). The overseer was to be hospitable (1 Timothy 3:2).
Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers (Hebrews 13:2). Offer
hospitality to one another without grumbling (1 Peter 4:9). I was a
stranger and you invited me in (Matthew 25:35). The early Christian home was
always a place with an open door and open heart. The family circle was wide, to
include others. It led to friendships, comfort, support, conversion and
prevention of backsliding. There is even a suggestion in 3 John 6 that as guests
left, they were given financial help for the journey ahead: Please send them
on their way in a manner that honours God. John urges Gaius to continue in
this and not be put off by Diothrephes. The reason was that the missionaries
were doing the work for His name’s sake, and so Christians ought to support
them. We ought therefore to show hospitality to such people so that we may
work together for the truth (3 John 8).
Where we cannot go, our money and prayers and practical support do go. It should not be a grim duty but a privilege and delight. We do not ask or expect the world to support Christian work. That is our job. There are many good causes, which Christians support along with others, but Christian work is something which Christians must support. We cooperate in evangelism not only by prayer but also by being hospitable and financially supportive. Therefore we are all involved in the work of evangelism.
Diotrephes was a very different character. Whereas Gaius
was marked by truth, love and practical service, Diotrephes was an unpleasant
troublemaker. He rejected the elders’ authority. John had earlier written to
this church but he was rejected by this man (3 John 9). He gossiped maliciously
about John, hindered the work, failed to encourage the people who wanted to help
the missionaries, indeed he turned them out of the church. He was obviously able
to do this because some people supported him.
Diotrephes had a strong
dominating personality, and some have suggested he might have been an early
monarchical bishop. Or he may just have been a local elder who was against
John’s remote control, and jealous of his autonomy of the local church.
Whoever he was, John knew that the real problem was not theological or
ecclesiastical, but was moral. He loved to be first; He loveth to have the
pre-eminence (A.V.). Self-love is the root of anti-social behaviour. It is
completely contrary to the teaching of Jesus, whoever wants to be first
should be slave of all (Mark 10:43). Elders were instructed about not
lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock (1
Peter 5:3).
This person who wanted
pre-eminence caused all the trouble in this church. Personal vanity is usually
the root of dissension in churches and in Christian societies. Some churches are
formed, not as a result of evangelistic zeal, or even theological differences,
but because of a split caused by personal vanity. Sometimes people leave a
church because of “apostasy”, or so they say, but the real reason is a
personal slight. The theological reasons are only secondary. Hasten to add that
not all differences are explained this way.
Also self-love and self-importance can be on both sides of a dispute. Preservation of this letter suggests that John was successful in his complaint against Diotrephes, and that the church dealt him with.
Demetrius probably delivered the letter, and may well
have been the leader of the missionaries. This was another common name (c.f. the
silversmith at Ephesus, in Acts 19:23). The name Demas (which comes three times
in the New Testament, in Colossians 4:14, Philemon 24, and 2 Timothy 4:10) is a
shortened version of Demetrius. According to fourth century writings, John
appointed Demetrius to be Bishop of Philadelphia. But we have no certain
knowledge that this is the man mentioned here.
We do know that Demetrius was
well spoken of by everyone (3 John 12), and John wanted to join in paying
tribute to him. Demetrius is well spoken of …..even by the truth itself, i.e.
his Christian genuineness was evident to all. Here is a testimonial worth
having.
This commendation in a letter
reminds us of other commendations in New Testament letters. Phoebe was commended
by Paul to the Romans (Romans 16:1ff), for she had been a great help to many
including Paul. Tychicus was a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow
servant in the Lord (Colossians 4:7).
John concludes his short letter expressing his hope to see them face to face, and his friends join him in sending greetings. They are to be greeted by name. The word used for “friends” in the last verse, filoi, is quite unique. Normally the term “brethren” is used.
This letter gives an insight into the early church. And not much changes with the centuries. Two of these men give us examples to be followed. Gaius was known for his truth and love; he was practical; he was a supported of mission. Demetrius had a good testimony from everybody. The example of Diotrephes is to be avoided. He was a troublemaker who harmed the fellowship. The root cause was his love to have pre-eminence. There is a warning here for everyone.
