Bill Akright
(309) 243-9639
Truth + Love = Obedience in Action
3 John 1:9-15
9I wrote something to the church; but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, does not accept what we say. 10For this reason, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words; and not satisfied with this, he himself does not receive the brethren, either, and he forbids those who desire to do so and puts them out of the church. 11Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God. 12Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself; and we add our testimony, and you know that our testimony is true. 13I had many things to write to you, but I am not willing to write them to you with pen and ink;
14but I hope to see you shortly, and we will speak face to face. 15Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.
1 John – John emphasizes the fact that the family of God is held together by love. He makes it clear that if they do not love one another, they are not God’s children. 1 John 4:7-13
2 John – John warns the church that there are apostates, antichrists and deceivers in the world. The child of God is to know their doctrine and apostles teaching so well that they entertain and support only those who are true to the Word of God. 2 John 1:6-8
3 John – Very similar to 2 John except it deals with personalities and emphasizes that the Truth is worth working for:
· My Life In God – Salvation
· My Life With God – Communion & Fellowship
· My Life For God – Service
o 3 John deals with My Life For God and it has to do with walking and working in the truth.
§ Love outside of the boundary of Truth is often:
· Sloppy
· Misdirected
· Misunderstood
9I wrote something to the church; but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, does not accept what we say.
- The church mentioned here, which John says he may visit (v.10) is not the same as the one mentioned in v.6, to which John apparently belongs (or of which he is in charge).
- But what is the relationship of this church in v.9 to Gaius, to whom the letter is addressed?
- It seems probable that Gaius belongs to or is in charge of one local church while Diotrephes is in another
- Diotrephes appears to be an influential person (perhaps the leader) in a local church known to Gaius.
- The description of him suggests he is arrogant, and his behavior displays:
- He refuses to acknowledge the written communication mentioned by John at the beginning of v.9 (and thus did not recognize John’s apostolic authority).
- He refuses to show any hospitality to the traveling missionaries already mentioned by John.
- He is able to refuse or ignore John’s previous written instructions (v.9).
- He is able to have other people put out of the church for showing hospitality to the traveling missionaries (v.10).
- Contrast to Jesus…Mark 9:35
- Diotrephes has rejected the authority of John to intervene in the situation of the traveling missionaries.
- Perhaps because Diotrephes believed John had no local jurisdiction in the matter.
10For this reason, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words; and not satisfied with this, he himself does not receive the brethren, either, and he forbids those who desire to do so and puts them out of the church.
- “For this reason” refers to the preceding statements by John, giving the reason why he will expose Diotrephes’ evil deeds if he comes to Diotrephes’ church.
- Compare to Jesus in John 1:5
- Because Diotrephes did not recognize the authority of John, John will expose his behavior for what it is if he comes for a visit.
- Diotrephes is engaged in spreading “unjustified charges” against John with “evil words.”
- Diotrephes refuses to welcome the brothers (the traveling missionaries) himself.
- Diotrephes hinders the others in the church who wish to help the missionaries.
- Diotrephes expels from the church people who aid the missionaries.
- Diotrephes himself may not necessarily have had supreme authority in the local church to expel these people, but may have been responsible for instigating collective action against them.
- He “ruled” or “ruined”
11Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God.
- This is clearly a reference to Diotrephes’ evil behavior.
- John exhorts Gaius (whom he wishes to continue assisting the missionaries) not to follow the negative example of Diotrephes, but to do what is right.
- Demetrius is himself one of the traveling missionaries (perhaps their leader), rather than the leader of a local congregation who, unlike Diotrephes, has supported the missionaries himself.
- “The one who does good is of God.” is abrupt, which adds emphasis.
- The statement reiterates the common Johannine theme of behavior as an indication of genuine faith
- 1 John 3:6, 3:10, 4:7, 4:20, and John in 3:17-21.
- By implication, the genuineness of Diotrephes’ faith is called into question, because he has obviously done “what is evil” (vv. 9-10).
- In Johannine terminology it is clear that the phrase “has not seen God” is equivalent to “is not a genuine Christian.”
- Compare to John 10:26-28
12Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself; and we add our testimony, and you know that our testimony is true.
- Apparently, Demetrius is someone Gaius would have heard about, but whose character was not known to him.
- Thus, John is writing to Gaius to attest to Demetrius’ good character.
- It appears that Demetrius is coming to Gaius’ church and needs hospitality and assistance, so John is writing to commend him to Gaius and ‘vouch for’ him.
- It is difficult to know more about Demetrius with any certainty, but John is willing to give him a powerful personal endorsement.
- Demetrius may well have been the leader of a delegation of traveling missionaries, and may even have been the bearer of this letter to Gaius.
- The writing of letters of introduction to be carried along by representatives or missionaries in NT times is also attested in Paul’s writings (1 Cor 16:3).
- How can we know someone is of the truth? John 17:17, John 8:31-32 & 1 John 3:24
13I had many things to write to you, but I am not willing to write them to you with pen and ink;
- This is parallel to 2 John 12, suggesting that both letters may well have been written at approximately the same time and in similar situations.
- John tells Gaius that he has more to say, but does not wish to do so in writing; he would rather speak face to face (v.14).
- It appears that John anticipates a personal visit to Gaius’ church in the very near future.
- This may be the same visit mentioned in connection with Diotrephes in v.10. Gaius’ church and Diotrephes’ church may have been in the same city, or in neighboring towns, so that John anticipates visiting both on the same journey.
14but I hope to see you shortly, and we will speak face to face. 15Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.
- Verse 14 states John’s desire to communicate with Gaius in person rather than by means of letter.
- This concluding greeting is analogous to 2 John 13, “The children of your elect sister greet you.”
i. Compare with Jesus’ Words in John 15:13-15.
“…taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5
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