Bible Study – Book Outlines: 3 John

A. J. Higgins
Barrington, NJ
  • The shortest (word wise) of all the NT letters – 211 words (vs. 240 in 2 John)
  • Seven mentions of truth in the epistle

Writer

John, the Elder

Recipient

Gaius, one of several in the NT (at least two and maybe four). Called “beloved” (agapetos) in verses 1,2,5,11. As John’s “beloved son,” Gaius bears many resemblances to God’s beloved Son.

Realm

Assembly life and the hospitality of men who moved amongst the assemblies

Reason

  • Report he received (vv2-4)
  • Response he did not receive (v9)

Roles Played

I. Gaius: The Devoted Man – Soul Prosperity – The Balanced Man

Notice that there is a balance between truth (vv3-4), love (vv5-6) and works (vv6-8).

    1. Priority That Controlled His Choices – Spiritual things first
    2. Principle That Controlled His Walk – Truth of God (vv3-4)
    3. Practice Which Controlled His Life (vv5-8)

Doing worthily or worthy of God (v5) has several possible meanings:

    • Doing it the way God would do it
    • Doing it as though doing it to God
    • Doing it for God’s pleasure

II. Diotrophes: The Dictatorial Man – Self Prominence – The Bold, Brazen, Bullying Man

    1. Man Who Rivaled Christ for Position
    2. Man Who Renounced John’s Apostolic Authority – malicious character attacks
    3. Man Who Refused the Brethren – discriminate policies of reception
    4. Man Who Rejected Others – unscriptural patterns of discipline

III. Demetrius: The Dependable Man – Spiritual Pattern – The Exemplary Man

  • “good report” (v12; also vv3-4) by all – universal witness of time, place and person
  • “truth itself” (v12) – uncompromising witness of the divine standard
  • “we also bear record” (v12) – unassailable witness of the apostle

IV. John: The Discerning Man – Sensitive Pastor – The Tender Man

  1. Awareness of the crisis of a young brother standing alone – Care Displayed
  2. Appreciation for another brother’s character. He commends Demetrius to Gaius – Character Appreciated
  3. Addresses assembly problem with wise counsel – Conflict Recognized

Relevancy

  1. Whatever your circumstances, you can know spiritual prosperity. We can never blame our fruitlessness on others. Sovereignty controls circumstances, but …
  2. Faith controls conduct. Wherever you are, be all you can be for God. Gaius was not to rebel, retreat or remove himself. Be there and do all you can. Gaius was not to withdraw but to grow; was not to surrender but to display Christ in a dark situation.
  3. Whomever you help, do everything worthy of God.
  4. Whenever you help, you further truth.
  5. However dark the day, you are not alone. Avoid an Elijah mentality. God had a Demetrius for Gaius – an example to follow.
  6. If ever you lead, be a leader and not a boss. Difference between a shepherd and a boss; a leader and a bully.
  7. Live and serve in light of a coming day. All you pour into God’s assembly will one day be shown to have been valued by God.