Who wrote 3 John, and when?
John the apostle, “the elder” About AD 85–95.
As in 2 John, the writer calls himself the elder and gives no name. The two letters are so alike in wording, length and manner that they almost certainly come from the same hand. Tradition names John the apostle, and many Christians hold that view, while some scholars prefer another early leader known as John the elder, or a teacher from the same group. The usual date is about AD 85 to 95, late in the first century, somewhere in the Roman province of Asia. Because these two letters are short and personal, the early church took longer to gather them into the New Testament than it took with the larger books.
Who was 3 John written to?
Gaius, a faithful believer in one of the churches under John’s care.
This one goes to a single person, a believer called Gaius, whom the elder loves and counts as a child in the faith. Gaius belonged to a church somewhere in the same region, though not the one Diotrephes controlled, or the advice would have been useless to him. Missionaries and teachers were travelling between congregations, refusing money from unbelievers and relying on Christian households for food, shelter and supplies for the next stage of the journey. Gaius had been doing exactly that, and word of it had reached the elder. Meanwhile a leader named Diotrephes was turning the same visitors away, talking against the elder, and pushing out anyone who helped them.
What was happening at the time?
The shortest book in the New Testament. Gaius has been hospitable to travelling missionaries; Diotrephes, who loves to be first, refuses them and expels those who welcome them. John commends Gaius, warns about Diotrephes, and vouches for Demetrius. It is a window into the everyday life and politics of the early church.
Why was 3 John written?
To encourage hospitality to gospel workers and to confront domineering leadership.
The elder writes to thank Gaius and to ask him to keep going, sending travellers on their way in a manner worthy of God, so that those who support the work become fellow workers with the truth (see verses 5 to 8). He also puts on record what Diotrephes has been doing, warns that he will deal with it in person, and recommends a man called Demetrius, probably the one carrying the letter. The point is plain: copy what is good and turn away from what is evil. In the wider story of the Bible this small note shows the church spreading through ordinary generosity, and it shows early on that love of position can damage a congregation as surely as false teaching does.
How to read 3 John today
At fifteen verses this is the shortest book in the Bible, so read it whole, then read 2 John beside it. Watch the three names and what each one shows: Gaius who gives, Diotrephes who grasps, and Demetrius who is well spoken of by everyone. Notice that the complaint against Diotrephes concerns his behaviour rather than his doctrine. Do not build a theory of church government out of such a short note, and do not use it to label leaders you find difficult. The opening wish for good health is a normal greeting of the time, not a promise of healing. While reading, pray for your own church leaders and for a chance to be hospitable this week.
The key verse in 3 John
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
Passages worth knowing in 3 John
- 3 John 1:1-8
Gaius commended
Fellow workers for the truth.
- 3 John 1:9-12
Diotrephes and Demetrius
Do not imitate what is evil, but what is good.
The main themes of 3 John
- Hospitality
- Truth
- Pride in leadership
- Imitating good
An outline of 3 John
| Section | Chapters |
|---|---|
| Gaius, Diotrephes and Demetrius | 1 |