3 John 1-15 Be blessed

3 John 1-4 A letter from the presbyter to a beloved believer. Gaius is the name of at least three people mentioned in the New Testament. (Acts 19:24, 20:4, Romans 16:23, 1 Corinthians 1:14) The name is of Latin origin. John prays that Gaius will be in good health and prosper, in accordance with the condition of his soul. There is a general and a specific connection here. Paul prays these things for Gaius, but there is no guarantee this prayer will be answered. Most of the first twelve apostles suffered from persecution, poverty, and at least Paul suffered innumerable problems not despite, but because of the greatness of the revelations he received. (2 Corinthians 11:23-27, 12:7-10) On the other hand, living one's life in fellowship with the truth would eliminate many of the sources of poverty and poor health that result from wrong choices and actions. So it is not straightforward as to the general applicability of John's prayer. From John's perspective as an elder, it is far more important that believers walk in the truth. This brings him great joy.

3 John 5-8 John commends Gaius for his hospitality in receiving itinerant Christians who are strangers to him, as they come through. And he urges him to continue to show hospitality to those who go out to work for the truth, for the sake of the name of Jesus. Hospitality was a virtue in that era, since inns were not all that great (nor safe). And as the epistle to the Hebrews states, it is possible to entertain angels unaware (Hebrews 13:2)

3 John 9-10 Strong words for Diotrephes. Loving pre-eminence, he rejects John's words. Beyond this, he tells others not to show hospitality to Christians. John has just commended Gaius for this. The only question would be whether Diotrephes would cite John's instructions in 2 John 10 as his justification. But that would be missing the point of that passage. Because those who abide in the truth can recognize those who are also walking in truth and those who lie. That was the point of both of John's other epistles.

3 John 11-12 John once again cites the testimony of fruit as the evidence of people's interior condition. He cites the example of Demetrius, for whom he personally testifies. Imitate those who do good.

3 John 13-15 John's closing includes the hope of seeing them in person, a benediction of peace, and a salutation of the others who fellowship with Gaius from those who are with John.