Walk in the Truth
John writes this personal letter to a believer named Gaius. He begins warmly:
“The Elder, To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth.” — 3 John 1
John then prays for him.
“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” — 3 John 2
This verse is not a guarantee that every believer will always enjoy perfect health or material prosperity. Rather, it is a loving prayer expressing John’s desire that Gaius’ physical well-being would match the healthy condition of his spiritual life.
John greatly rejoices because of Gaius’ faithful walk.
“For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth.” — 3 John 3
John then expresses one of the deepest joys of a spiritual leader.
“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” — 3 John 4
3 John reminds us that the greatest measure of success is not wealth, popularity, or achievement, but faithfully walking in God’s truth. There is no greater joy than seeing believers continue growing in their relationship with Christ and living according to His Word.
Faithfully Support God’s Servants
John commends Gaius for his generous hospitality. He writes:
“Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the brethren and for strangers.” — 3 John 5
These travelling believers had testified:
“…of your love before the church.” — 3 John 6
John encourages Gaius:
“If you send them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God, you will do well.” — 3 John 6
These missionaries travelled:
“…for His name’s sake…” — 3 John 7
Without depending upon unbelievers for support. Therefore:
“We therefore ought to receive such, that we may become fellow workers for the truth.” — 3 John 8
Those who faithfully support Gospel ministry share in its eternal fruit.
3 John teaches that every believer can participate in God’s mission. Even if we are not the ones preaching in distant places, our generosity, encouragement, hospitality, and practical support make us partners in advancing the Gospel.
Follow Good Examples, Not Bad Ones
John now contrasts two very different people. First is Diotrephes.
“I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us.” — 3 John 9
His problem was pride. John explains that Diotrephes:
– rejected apostolic authority, – spread malicious accusations, – refused to welcome faithful believers, – and even expelled those who did. John says:
“…I will call to mind his deeds which he does…” — 3 John 10
In contrast stands Demetrius.
“Demetrius has a good testimony from all…” — 3 John 12
More importantly:
“…and from the truth itself.” — 3 John 12
John then gives an important command.
“Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good.” — 3 John 11
Because:
“He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God.” — 3 John 11
John closes similarly to 2 John.
“I had many things to write, but I do not wish to write to you with pen and ink…” — 3 John 13
Instead:
“…I hope to see you shortly…” — 3 John 14
The letter ends:
“Peace to you. Our friends greet you…” — 3 John 15
3 John reminds us that leadership is measured by humble service, not by seeking recognition. We are called to imitate faithful examples like Gaius and Demetrius, while avoiding the pride and selfish ambition displayed by Diotrephes.
Deeper Waters
Though the shortest book in the New Testament by word count, 3 John provides profound insight into faithful Christian character, Gospel partnership, servant leadership, and the dangers of pride within the church. Rather than discussing major doctrinal controversies, John demonstrates how the truth of the Gospel is expressed through everyday relationships and practical ministry.
John addresses:
**”the beloved Gaius.”**
The repeated use of beloved throughout the letter reveals John’s deep pastoral affection. Truth and love once again appear together. John loves Gaius:
**”in truth.”**
Throughout John’s writings, love is never separated from God’s revealed truth. John prays:
**”that you may prosper in all things and be in health.”**
This verse has sometimes been misunderstood as a universal promise of material prosperity. In reality, it is a personal prayer and greeting. John’s primary concern is spiritual health. He says:
**”just as your soul prospers.”**
Gaius was already spiritually mature. John simply desires that his outward circumstances would reflect the inward work of God’s grace already evident in his life. John then expresses his greatest joy.
**”that my children walk in truth.”**
Notice that John’s joy is not centred upon numerical growth, financial success, or public recognition. His greatest delight is seeing believers continue faithfully following Christ. Walking in truth involves both believing the Gospel and living consistently with it. John next commends Gaius for his hospitality. He had welcomed travelling Christian workers:
**”for the brethren and for strangers.”**
In the first-century church, travelling missionaries often depended upon local believers for food, lodging, encouragement, and financial support. John urges:
**”send them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God.”**
Supporting faithful Gospel workers becomes an act of worship because it reflects God’s generous heart. These missionaries travelled:
**”for His name’s sake.”**
Their ultimate purpose was not personal advancement but the glory of Jesus Christ. John concludes:
**”we… become fellow workers for the truth.”**
This is a remarkable principle. Not everyone is called to travel as a missionary. Not everyone preaches publicly. Yet every believer who faithfully supports Gospel ministry shares in its eternal fruit. Prayer, generosity, encouragement, hospitality, and practical assistance all become meaningful participation in God’s mission. The letter then introduces one of Scripture’s most sobering examples of unhealthy leadership:
**”Diotrephes.”**
His defining characteristic is immediately identified. He:
**”loves to have the preeminence.”**
Pride had become the controlling motivation of his ministry. Rather than seeking Christ’s glory, he sought personal prominence. This pride produced several destructive behaviours. He rejected apostolic authority. He spread:
**”malicious words.”**
He refused hospitality to faithful workers. He even removed believers from the church who sought to obey John’s instruction. The tragedy is striking. Someone may occupy a visible position within the church while displaying attitudes completely opposite to Christ’s servant leadership. John contrasts Diotrephes with Demetrius.
**”Demetrius has a good testimony.”**
His reputation rested not upon self-promotion but upon faithful character. John says his testimony came:
– from fellow believers, – from the truth itself, – and from the apostles. Truth itself bore witness that Demetrius’ life matched the Gospel he professed. John therefore gives a timeless principle:
**”do not imitate what is evil, but what is good.”**
Every generation presents both faithful and unfaithful examples. Believers must intentionally choose whom they imitate. The standard is not popularity or influence but conformity to Christ. The letter concludes similarly to 2 John. John longs for:
**”face to face.”**
Although written communication is valuable, Christian fellowship is strengthened through personal encouragement, shared worship, prayer, and mutual accountability. He closes with:
**”Peace to you.”**
This peace reflects the reconciliation believers enjoy with God through Jesus Christ and the unity that should characterise His church. 3 John encourages us to: va.lue spiritual health above outward success, – find joy in faithfully walking according to God’s truth, – generously support faithful Gospel ministry, – recognise that practical service makes believers partners in God’s mission, – exercise hospitality with joyful generosity, – reject pride and the desire for personal recognition, – choose servant leadership rather than self-promotion, – carefully imitate godly examples, – maintain loving fellowship with faithful believers, – and continually seek Christ’s glory above personal influence.
Ultimately, 3 John points us to Jesus Christ, the perfect Servant-Leader who never sought earthly preeminence but humbled Himself to accomplish the Father’s will. Unlike Diotrephes, who sought to exalt himself, Jesus “made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant” (Philippians 2:7, NKJV). He welcomed the weak, served His people, supported the truth, and laid down His life for His sheep. As believers walk in His truth, generously support His work, humbly serve one another, and imitate His example, they become faithful partners in advancing the Gospel and bring lasting joy to the heart of their heavenly Father.