Verse-by-Verse Commentary
The Book of 3 John
Third John is the apostle's shortest letter by word count, a study in contrasts: the faithful, hospitable Gaius set against the proud, domineering Diotrephes, with the simple, searching call to imitate what is good and not what is evil. This commentary walks through the whole book verse by verse.
About This Commentary
The Third Epistle of John is a brief letter of fourteen verses, the apostle John's shortest by word count, written to his friend Gaius, whom he loved in the truth, late in the first century. It is a study in contrasts: Gaius, who walks in the truth and shows faithful hospitality to traveling ministers; Diotrephes, who loves to have preeminence, rejects apostolic authority, and expels the hospitable from the church; and Demetrius, who has a good testimony from all.
This commentary walks through the whole book verse by verse, with the Greek words that sharpen the meaning, verified background, and an Apostolic reading. Third John holds up the joy of seeing believers walk in truth, warns against the destructive love of preeminence, and gives the searching principle that our lives reveal their source: those who do good show they are of God. References are given at the foot of the chapter.
Because 3 John is a single chapter, this commentary covers the entire book.
Author
The apostle John, calling himself 'the Elder.'
Setting
A personal letter to his friend Gaius, late first century.
Length
A single chapter of 14 verses; John's shortest letter by word count.
Theme
Faithful hospitality versus pride; imitate what is good.
Translation
King James Version (KJV) throughout.
The Chapters
3 John Commentary
The chapters below are available now. The rest are being written and will open here as they are finished and verified.
3 John 1-14
Imitate What Is Good
John rejoices over Gaius who walks in truth and shows hospitality, warns of proud Diotrephes who loves preeminence, and calls believers to imitate what is good, for the life reveals its source.
Read Chapter 1 →