3 John

Third John is a warm personal note from John to his friend Gaius, commending him for faithfully supporting traveling missionaries who had gone out 'for the sake of the Name.' To welcome and provision such workers, John says, is to become a fellow worker with the truth. The letter sets two men side by side. Diotrephes loves to be first, refuses John's emissaries, spreads malicious talk, and even expels those who would help. Demetrius, by contrast, is well attested by everyone and by the truth itself. In a few lines the letter exalts humble, generous service of the gospel over self-promoting power, and urges Gaius to imitate what is good rather than what is evil.