This
is a personal letter from the Apostle John to a beloved friend named
Gaius, who was very active in helping the brethren, and in showing
hospitality to strangers, particularly the Lord's servants who
traveled from place to place, preaching the gospel.
(Verses
1 through 4) "The elder unto the well beloved Gaius, whom I
love in the truth. Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest
prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. For I
rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth
that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth. I have no
greater joy than to hear that my children walk in the truth."
As
in his second epistle, John refers to himself only as "the
elder." He addresses this letter to "the well beloved
Gaius, whom I love in the truth." Since they are both lovers of
the truth, which is Christ Jesus our Lord, their love is in the
Lord. Oddly enough the apostle's wish for Gaius is for his bodily
and material welfare instead of his spiritual well being. In fact,
he uses the well being of Gaius' soul as the measure to which he
desires his prosperity and health to be raised. This may signify
that Gaius has been sick; but it is evident that he is doing well
spiritually. Apparently in a recent visit to the apostle some of the
brethren who are well acquainted with Gaius, have given a glowing
report of his faithfulness and good works, for John says that this
report caused him to rejoice greatly. "I have no greater joy
than to hear that my children walk in the truth," may indicate
such a relation between John and Gaius as that between Paul and
Timothy, or it may be that by reason of his age and his long service
to the churches in this area that he feels a father's love for all
the Christians here.
(Verses
5 through 8) "Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou
doest to the brethren, and to strangers; which have borne witness of
thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their
journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well: because that for His
name's sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles. We
therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellow-helpers to
the truth."
The
apostle compliments Gaius on his faithfulness in every thing that he
does for the brethren, members of the local church, and strangers,
those who travel from place to place, preaching the gospel of our
Lord. These brethren and strangers have testified before the church
concerning his charity, or love. John says that it is well that he
be thus hospitable and generous to such, for it is for His
[Christ's] name's sake that they have gone forth on this work. And
they are taking nothing from the Gentiles [pagans or heathen], that
is, they are not supported by them, nor do they have fellowship with
them. They are serving the Lord, not heathen deities. "We
therefore ought to receive such," show hospitality to them. In
so doing, we are fellow-helpers to the truth, as we help those who
are sent of God to preach it.
(Verses
9 and 10) "I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth
to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. Wherefore, if
I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us
with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he
himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and
casteth them out of the church."
It
is a sad state of affairs, when a church gets so under the rule of a
dictator that he can say who can, and who cannot visit the church.
But such seems to be the case with the one in which Diotrephes held
sway, and such has been the case many times since, and in many
places. John says that if he visits that church, he will remember
the deeds of Diotrephes, and the inference is that Diotrephes will
regret his high-handed ways. This is apparently the same church as
that in which Gaius is a member, for the apostle does not give the
name, but only speaks of it as "the church," and,
possibly, Diotrephes' refusal to receive him may be the cause of the
apostle's letter to Gaius.
(Verses
11 and 12) "Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that
which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil
hath not seen God. Demetrius hath a good report of all men, and of
the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our
record is true."
This
seems to be primarily a caution not to follow Diotrephes, although
it is also good instruction even when there is no Diotrephes around.
"Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is
good." As he has said in his other epistles, "He that
doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen
God". He is now through with Diotrephes, and turns to a more
pleasant subject. There is a man named Demetrius, whom he recommends
to Gaius as one who "hath a good report of all men, and of the
truth itself." He then gives his own testimony for him, thus:
"Yea, and we also bear him record; and ye know that our record
is true," thus leaving no doubt as to the character of
Demetrius.
Now
John brings this letter to a close, thus: "I had many things to
write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee. But I trust
I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be
to thee. Our friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name."
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