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3 John 1

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3 John 1 Overview

John writes to Gaius, rejoicing that he walks in truth and faithfully receives travelling brethren. He contrasts Gaius’s generous support of gospel workers with Diotrephes, who loves preeminence, rejects apostolic authority, speaks maliciously, and blocks hospitality. Demetrius receives a good report. The letter shows truth embodied in church relationships and leadership.

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Before you read 3 John 1

Coming from

2 John closes by joining truth and love while refusing support to teachers who deny the doctrine of Christ.

In this chapter

Leads into

The canonical sequence continues into Jude.

Key understandingExplore deeper

Supporting faithful workers makes believers ‘fellowhelpers to the truth’; hospitality here advances gospel ministry.

Diotrephes’s problem is not merely a strong personality but love of preeminence expressed through slander, exclusion, and refusal of proper authority.

Major truths in this chapterExplore deeper

Walking in truth brings joy

John values lived faithfulness, not mere verbal profession.

Supporting gospel workers is meaningful partnership

Hospitality helps truth advance.

Self-exalting leadership harms churches

Diotrephes uses position to control and exclude.

Character should be tested by witness

Demetrius has good report from all and from the truth itself.

Connections to the rest of ScriptureExplore deeper

2 John 10–11

Second John forbids supporting false teachers; Third John commends supporting faithful ones.

Philippians 2:3–4

Believers are warned against vainglory and self-centered ambition.

1 Peter 5:2–3

Church leaders are forbidden to lord over God’s heritage.

What is clear, and where care is neededExplore deeper

Do not equate hospitality with indiscriminate support of every teacher

Second and Third John must be read together.

Do not use church office to excuse domination

Diotrephes is condemned for loving preeminence.

Do not confuse a good reputation with mere popularity

Demetrius’s testimony is tied to truth.

Read 3 John 1 watching for…

Gaius’s walk in truth.

Support of travelling brethren.

The phrase ‘fellowhelpers to the truth.’

Diotrephes’s specific abuses.

Demetrius’s good report.

Chapter outline5 sections

1-4John greets Gaius and rejoices that he walks in the truth 5-8Gaius is commended for faithfully helping brethren and strangers who went forth for Christ’s name 9-10Diotrephes loves preeminence, rejects John, speaks maliciously, and refuses the brethren 11-12Gaius is told to follow good, and Demetrius is commended by a good testimony 13-14John hopes to speak face to face and closes with peace and greetings

The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.

Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;

Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well:

Because that for his name's sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.

We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.

I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.

Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.

Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.

Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true.

I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee:

But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name.

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3 John 1:8

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