Names of the Book
English: | 3 John |
Greek: | 3 Ιωάννης |
Transliterated: | 3 Iōannēs |
Other names: | The third epistle of John |
Who
Wrote the book: | the apostle John |
Are the key people: | John, Gaius, Diotrephes, Demetrius |
Is it written to: | Gaius and his community |
What
G-d's people should live according to the standard of His Word. (3 John 1-12) |
John's closing words (3 John 13-15) |
When
Was it written: | c 90 CE |
Did the events occur: | c 90 CE |
Was it canonized: | c 200-320 CE |
(see the Timeline of the First Century) |
Where
Was it written: | Ephesus |
Did the events occur: | unknown |
Why
3 John was written to inform us that: |
Believers should be hospitable. |
Pride disqualifies believers from true leadership. |
Faithfulness and selflessness are the hallmarks of true leaders. |
Introduction
The apostle John wrote this, his third letter, to a believer named Gaius. In it, John writes that he was glad to hear that Gaius was walking in the truth of G-d's Word and that Gaius had received some believers (who were travelling in the area) with hospitality and then sent them on their way "in a manner worthy of G-d". John warns Gaius about a member of a local congregation, Diotrephes, who does not accept what John says, does not show hospitality to believers who do accept what John says, and even puts them out of fellowship. He encourages Gaius to imitate what is good and not what is evil and closes his short letter expressing hope to see him soon.
Scripture- Book Selection