In keeping with 2 John, 3 John has similarities to 1 John. However, this letter was probably written from the island of Patmos where John was exiled. This was the same prison where he had his vision which is the subject of the book of Revelation. The subject of the book focuses again on false teachers.
Apparently, this guy names Diotrephes had started out with enough truth that people made him the leader of the church. John had written to Diotrephes and encouraged him to welcome certain individuals, probably travelling preachers, to the church body. But Diotrephes refused to do so, to the point of expelling from the church anyone who supported the people sent by John.
A Heady Cocktail
Diotrephes did not recognize John’s authority. Imagine that for a moment. John was a favorite of Christ, the “one whom Christ loved”; he walked with Christ during His earthly ministry and learned firsthand His teachings. But Diotrephes refused to accept John as a leader of the early church and follow his direction. You can’t help but wonder what it was that Diotrephes was teaching! Or thinking, for that matter. The Gospel according to Diotrephes. Power is a heady cocktail. There is indeed nothing new under the sun.
Fortunately, Gaius refused to follow these orders and accommodated these travelling preachers in his own home. John commends him for doing so, and for sending them on their way in a manner worthy of God Himself. This is a good example for us to follow today. If we are truly walking with Christ, then we must support the people who are devoting their time, energy, and lives to spreading the Gospel both in our neighborhoods and to the ends of the earth.
As an interesting sidebar, there is lots of dispute between ancient historians as to whether John is even the author of this book. If you want to dive into the likes of Origen and Josephus, let me know where your curiosity takes you at Lifting Her Voice, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
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