Key word: Walking
Much like 2 John, the final epistle by John emphasizes truth and love. Truth is mentioned 6x and true once, and love is found 3x. But while 2 John focuses on not receiving and participating with deceivers, 3 John focuses on supporting those who speak the truth. As a matter of fact, nothing gives the apostle greater joy than seeing His spiritual children walking in the truth – our key verse (v. 4).
John addresses his letter to his beloved Gaius (v. 1) who apparently was the official leader, perhaps lead elder or pastor of the church. He was a good and faithful man, who has been especially attentive to traveling evangelists, missionaries and church planter, who came through their location. Such people should be financially and spiritually supported in a manner worthy of God (v. 6), for they are ministering for the sake of the Name, and refuse to accept support from the Gentiles (v. 7).
But Gaius’ local church was facing a major conflict. A power-hungry man by the name of Diotrephes rejected John’s authority, slandered him, refused to accept or aid the traveling missionaries, bullied those who did, even to the point of removing them from the church (v. 10). If John can get to the church, he will deal with Diotrephes, but in the meanwhile Gaius, and the rest of the church, should not follow Diotrephes’ example, but should imitate men like Demetrius (v. 12), who like Gaius is a man of truth, and well-respected by everyone.
We are going with the word “walking” as our key word. For although it is found only in v. 4, the idea permeates the whole epistle. Gaius and Demetrius walk in truth, as do the traveling missionaries, however, Diotrephes walks in deception and in self-importance. He loves himself, not Christ, not God’s people, not the truth. The letter is an encouragement to not be like Diotrephes, but to walk in truth.
Key verse: 3 John 1:4 – I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth
