3rd John
THE ELDER: John recieved this title and he was alone because all the others were dead.
TRUTH 1-4
USED 5 TIMES IN LAST FOUR VERSES
* LOVE IN TRUTH
* KNOW THE TRUTH
* TRUTH DWELLS IN US
* GRACE MERCY AND PEACH IN TRUTH
* WALKING IN TRUTH
* TRUTH IS THE TRUE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST
v 1. Gaius was a very common name at this time and it is impossible to know if he was the one mentioned in Acts 19:29; 20:4; Rom. 16:23; or 1 Cor. 1:14. Some feel he was Paul’s convert and his host at Corinth on Paul’s third missionary journey.
v 2. John shows it is good to be concerned for some one in ailing health, as well as for their material prosperity. He even compares it to Gaius’ spiritual prosperity. It is showing that a person can be very close to Christ and do His will and have many worldly goods and benefit from them. John had been a man of means. He warns against placing or loving things of this world in from of God. (I John 2:15-17) One women may have many rings and not be bothered by them, with another woman having Jesus chastis her for the rings. Its if you place them in from of Jesus.
v 3,4. Reports had been brought to John about Gaius’ outstanding Christian life. John was thrilled about Gaius and other spiritual children who were walking in truth, or abiding in Christ. It is a joy to a parent when a child excels, and we rejoice when someone we have taught spiritually is going strong for the Lord.
v 5,6. The men who brought the good report about Gaius were brethren, v 3; they were on a journey, v 6; they were missionaries, v 7. Among other things in Gaius’ life, he had shown hospitality to brethren and strangers, and particularly in helping these itinerate missionaries on their way. They would compare to circuit riders of our past. Gaius had no doubt encouraged the entire church to be helpful to them. Many people of our churches today don’t know the blessing they miss by not inviting missionaries or evangelists for meals or lodging in their homes.
v 7,8. These men avoided taking money from the Gentiles as they went to them in order that there would be no suspicion of them preaching for material gain. Paul had set this example as he made tents for his support. As we assist such people, or even supporting missionaries overseas, we are fellow helpers in the gospel. These men probably also followed Paul’s example in establishing churches in the larger urban areas and letting them take the gospel out from there. Is that always done today?
v 9. Diotrephes was a heart break to John. He loved preminence whereas Paul wanted to minister, Phil. 2:1-8 and let Christ to have the preeminence, Col. 1:18.
v 10. Apparently, when John comes he intends to personally confront Diotrephes. Not only did he publicly oppose John, but talked nonsense maliciously. In an attempt to undermine John and Gaius, he refused common courtesy to these itinerant missionaries, forbade others to, and if they did he excommunicated them. How dangerous a proud, popular Christian leader can be.
v 11. Instead of walking in truth, Diotrephes resisted it and walked in evil. The full context of the verse, “hath not seen God”, is an indication that he knew how to “talk the talk”, but was probably unsaved. Those people can fool us - for a while.
v 12. In contrast, Demetrius was commended, probably by the itinerant speakers and others, witness of his spiritual life, and John’s own sincere testimony.
v 13,14. As in 2 Jn., he plans to come soon and have much more to talk about in person. Meanwhile, these words should be a comfort to Gaius, but he wants each friend to be greeted personally.
In the early 90's I started studing the bible by taking college courses, because I believe the Lord wanted me to become a pastor in a Nazarne Church. My goal has changed with all my studies. My wife and I have both joined the Catholic Church. I have read and compared numerous translations and commentaries in my many years of studying the bible. Some of these authorities disagree with each other. I come across information on studies and classes that I have taken 15 to 20 years before and I have no documentation of where it came from. Plus I have given away or returned many books for college classes that I have taken. So if I have failed to give someone the credit that is due them I ask for their forgiveness. The following is a list of translations and commentaries that I still have and use.
ANSWERS to 200 of Life's Most Probing Questions by Pat RobertsonOUR ETERNAL HOME by Richard W. Dehaan,
PROPHECY STUDY BIBLE by Tim Lahaye
READER'S DIGEST JESUS AND HIS TIMES by the Readers Digest Association Inc,
REFLECTING GOD STUDY BIBLE By Zondervan Corporation;
SAINT JOSEPH EDITION OF THE NEW AMERICAN BIBLE by Catholic Book Publishing Co.
SEVEN KEYS TO FAMILY POWER by Billy Joe Daugherty,
SIX HOURS ONE FRIDAY by Max Lacado,
THE AMPLIFIED BIBLE by the Zondervan Corporation;
THE BATTLE BELONGS TO THE LORD by Jocyce Meyer,
THE BIBLE PROMISE BOOK by Babbour Publishing Inc,
THE BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER by Charles Mortimer Guilbert
THE BOOK OF HOPE by Tyndale House Publishiers, Inc,
THE BORN AGAIN CATHOLIC by Albert H. Boudreau,
THE CASE FOR CHRIST by Lee Strobel,
THE CATHOLIC ANSWER BOOK by Peter MJ Stravinsiasi
THE COMPLETE BOOK OF BIBLE KNOWLEDGE by Mark D. Taylor;
THE DAY CHRIST DIED by Jim Bishop,
THE GREAT BIBLE QUESTION AND ANWERS BOOK by Playmore Inc
THE HOME BIBLE STUDY COURSE by Dr. Harold L. Wilmington;
THE KING JAMES BIBLE ARCHAIE WORDS DEFIND by David W. Daniel
THE KING JAMES BIBLE COMPANION by David W. Daniels;
THE KING JAMES STUDY BIBLE by Thomas Nelson Publishers,
THE LAYMAN’S BIBLE DICTIONARY by George W. Knight and Rayburn W. Ray;
THE LAYMAN’S PARALLEL NEW TESTAMENT by Zondervan Bible Publisher
THE LAYMAN'S LIST by Calance Stucup
THE MESSAGE BIBLE by Eugone H. Peterson,
THE NEW AMERICAN BIBLE by World Catholic Press;
THE NEW AMERICAN BIBLE Saint Joseph Edition;
THE NEW STRONG’S EXHAUSTIVE CONCORDANCE OF THE BIBLE by James Strong LL. D S.T.D.;
THE RISKS AND REWARDS OF INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE by Cardinal Francis Arinze
THE TRINITY by Rose Publish
THE VERY FIRST ESTER by Paul L. Maier,
THE WAY CATHOLIC LIVING BIBLE by Tyndale House Publishers;
UNCHRISTIAN by David Kennan and Gabe Lyon
UNDERSTANDING GOD’S LOVE by Ronald Greib
VINE’S EXPOSITORY DICTIONARY OF OLD AND NEW TESTAMENT WORDS By W. E. Vine;
WHAT’S SO SECRET ABOUT THE RAPTURRE? By Christian Record Services, INC
WHEN GOD WINKS AT YOU by Tomas Nelson
WILLMINGTON’S GUIDE TO THE BIBLE by Dr. H.L. Willmington,
WOMAN OF FAITH STUDY BIBLE by Zschech/Heillsong
YESTERDAY TODAY AND FOREVER by New Leaf Press
YOU WERE BORN FOR THIS by Anthony Wilhen
08/19/2011