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  2. Tue: Jeremiah 38-40
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Thursday · Week 43
The Epistles & Revelation

3 John

Week 43 · about 2 min
  1. Fri: Micah 5-7
  2. Sat: Proverbs 16-19
  3. Sun: Deuteronomy 4-6

Another short letter from “the elder,” this time to a man named Gaius.

Gaius, Diotrephes, and Demetrius

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

3 John 1:4 (KJV)

John mentions three men in this letter. Gaius is faithful and opens his home to traveling missionaries, even ones he’s never met. John prays that Gaius will “prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” Diotrephes “loveth to have the preeminence.” He gossips about John, refuses to welcome traveling believers, and throws out anyone who does. Demetrius has “good report of all men, and of the truth itself.” John’s advice fits on one line: “follow not that which is evil, but that which is good.”

Reflect: Which of the three men are you most like?

III John 1

1The elder, To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth:

2Beloved, I pray that in every way you may prosper and enjoy good health, as your soul also prospers.

3For I was overjoyed when the brothers came and testified about your devotion to the truth, in which you continue to walk.

4I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

5Beloved, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers, and especially since they are strangers to you.

6They have testified to the church about your love. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God.

7For they went out on behalf of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles.

8Therefore we ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers for the truth.

9I have written to the church about this, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not accept our instruction.

10So if I come, I will call attention to his malicious slander against us. And unsatisfied with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers and forbids those who want to do so, even putting 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. We also testify for him, and you know that our testimony is true.

13I have many things to write to you, but I would prefer not to do so with pen and ink.

14Instead, I hope to see you soon and speak with you face to face. Peace to you. The friends here send you greetings. Greet each of our friends there by name.

Berean Standard Bible (BSB). The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible (BSB), public domain.