3 John — A Brief Introduction to the Bible
Part 59**
3 John is the most personal of all the New Testament letters.
It does not address doctrine broadly or confront false theology directly. Instead, it exposes something just as dangerous to the health of the Church: prideful leadership, abuse of authority, and resistance to truth.
Written by the Apostle John in his later years, this short letter reads like a pastoral report — praising what is good, correcting what is harmful, and calling believers to discernment in whom they support and follow.
In only a few verses, John draws a sharp contrast between two types of leadership:
• One rooted in love, hospitality, and faithfulness
• One driven by control, ego, and self-promotion
The message is simple — and sobering:
Not everyone who holds influence is walking in truth.
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Audience & Setting
John writes directly to a believer named Gaius, commending him for his faithfulness, integrity, and support of traveling ministers who were faithfully spreading the gospel.
At the same time, John addresses the destructive behavior of Diotrephes, a man who loved to be first, rejected apostolic authority, spread malicious accusations, and actively blocked others from showing hospitality to faithful believers.
This letter shows us that the early Church did not struggle only with external persecution — it also faced internal power struggles.
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Major Themes
1. Walking in Truth
John expresses joy not in numbers, success, or reputation — but in seeing believers walk faithfully in truth. Faith is measured by daily obedience, not by title or visibility.
2. Hospitality as Gospel Partnership
Supporting faithful servants of Christ is presented as active participation in the work of the gospel. Hospitality is not peripheral — it is ministry.
✝️ CONTINUED IN COMMENTS ⬇️⬇️⬇️
#Love
#Peace
#Hospitality
#Kindness
#Bible
#God
#Jesus
