Answer
The book of 3 John is one of the shortest works in the New Testament, written by “the elder” to Gaius, a “dear friend” (3 John 1:1). The author is traditionally identified as John the Apostle, the same author of 1 and 2 John. Third John is a personal letter, akin to Philemon and Titus.
Gaius was known for his hospitality. John penned the letter to offer guidance to Gaius regarding a personal matter. Traveling teachers in that period often sought accommodation. Gaius showed hospitality, but another individual named Diotrephes acted otherwise (3 John 1:9). John encouraged Gaius to continue in his kind generosity, “so that we may work together for the truth” (verse 8).
We cannot be sure when 3 John was written, but John likely penned it during his old age, around AD 90. Having walked alongside Jesus and spread the gospel with fellow disciples, the elderly John was eager to ensure that subsequent generations of Christians embraced love and truth. Here, John reminds Gaius that “those who do good prove that they are God’s children, and those that do evil prove that they do not know God” (1:11, NLT). This doesn’t mean good deeds earn us a place as God’s children, but that, as God’s children, we are expected to act righteously.
The style of 3 John bears resemblance to 2 John, while its themes align with those of 1 John, suggesting a shared authorship. The fact that John wrote 3 John remains widely accepted. Initially, 3 John encountered challenges to its authority within early Christianity due to its brevity and lack of explicit authorship. However, it eventually gained widespread acceptance and was rightly included in the Christian canon.
How does a brief, personal letter in the first century hold relevance for modern Christians today? For Christians, hospitality and benevolent acts are esteemed virtues. Of course, John himself calls for discernment in this area (2 John 1:9–11). We must exercise caution on whom we invite into our homes, especially in light of false teachers. However, we should be eager to assist people, especially those doing the Lord’s work. Our goal is to align with Gaius rather than Diotrephes. We prove that we are God’s children by the good deeds we do.
