3 JOHN
Faithful Leadership
BRIEF INTERPRETATION
1. Summary of the Book
The Third Letter of John is the most personal letter in the New Testament. It is written by John, now an elderly shepherd, to a faithful believer named Gaius. Unlike other letters addressed to churches, this one speaks directly to an individual whose life reflects the Gospel in everyday actions.
John begins with warmth and affection. He prays that Gaius may enjoy good health, just as his soul is prospering. John’s joy comes from hearing that Gaius is walking in the truth—living a life shaped by faith, honesty, and love. For John, there is no greater joy than seeing his spiritual children live faithfully.
John praises Gaius especially for his hospitality. Traveling Christian missionaries and teachers depend on the kindness of believers as they spread the Gospel. Gaius has welcomed these strangers generously, supporting them and sending them on their way with care. John affirms that such hospitality makes Gaius a co-worker in the truth, even if he does not preach publicly himself.
However, the letter also addresses a serious problem in the community. John speaks about a man named Diotrephes, who loves to be first and refuses to accept John’s authority. Diotrephes spreads false accusations, rejects fellow believers, and even expels from the church those who show hospitality. Through this example, John warns against pride, abuse of authority, and selfish leadership.
John contrasts Diotrephes with another believer named Demetrius, who has a good reputation and lives according to the truth. Demetrius’ life itself testifies to his faithfulness. John encourages Gaius to imitate what is good, reminding him that those who do good belong to God.
John’s message is gentle but clear: Christian leadership must be rooted in humility, truth, and service, not control or self-importance. Faith is revealed not in titles or power, but in love expressed through actions.
The letter closes warmly. John expresses his desire to visit Gaius soon so they can speak face to face. He sends greetings from friends and asks Gaius to greet others by name—showing the personal bonds of the early Church.
The Third Letter of John teaches that the Gospel is lived out in small but faithful acts—welcoming others, supporting truth, resisting pride, and choosing goodness. It reminds believers that leadership is proven by service and that walking in truth means living with integrity and love every day.
2. Author
St. John the Apostle, writing as an elder with spiritual authority.
3. Time of Composition
Around AD 85–95, during John’s ministry in the region near Ephesus.
4. Intended Audience
Gaius, a faithful Christian leader, as well as the broader Christian community connected to John’s pastoral network.
5. Major Themes
Walking in the truth
Christian hospitality
Support for missionary work
Authority and humility in leadership
Danger of pride and rejection of apostolic teaching
Faithful witness
6. Section-Wise Division
A. Greeting and Commendation of Gaius (3 Jn 1–4)
Joy in hearing that Gaius walks in the truth (3 Jn 3–4)
B. Praise for Christian Hospitality (3 Jn 5–8)
Gaius’ support for missionaries (3 Jn 5–8)
C. Warning About Diotrephes (3 Jn 9–10)
His rejection of apostolic authority and refusal of hospitality (3 Jn 9–10)
D. Commendation of Demetrius (3 Jn 11–12)
Example of faithful Christian witness (3 Jn 12)
E. Closing Greetings (3 Jn 13–15)
Desire for personal fellowship (3 Jn 13–14)
7. Historical and Biblical Background
In the early Church, itinerant missionaries were essential for preaching the Gospel. Hospitality ensured their mission’s success. Diotrephes’ refusal to receive them—and his rejection of apostolic authority—shows early struggles with leadership pride and division.
3 John offers the opposite perspective of 2 John:
2 John: Do not support false teachers.
3 John: Support true teachers of the Gospel.
Both protect the community through right discernment.
8. Biblical Flow of Each Section
Hospitality
Gaius models generosity and fidelity.
Conflict
Diotrephes disrupts the Church through pride and rejection.
Witness
Demetrius stands as an example of living truth.
Communion
John longs for personal fellowship and unity.
9. Orientation to Jesus Christ
Christ is “the Name” for whose sake missionaries labor.
He is the truth in which believers must walk.
He teaches humility, in contrast to Diotrephes’ pride.
Supporting the Gospel is supporting Christ Himself.
Christian hospitality reflects Christ’s own welcome to sinners.
10. Message for Us Today
3 John teaches the importance of supporting evangelization and those who serve the Church. It warns against prideful leadership that harms unity and reminds us that true Christian authority serves in humility. The letter encourages believers to walk in the truth, practice generous hospitality, and imitate those who live virtuously.
11. Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, foundation of truth and love, help me follow the example of Gaius and Demetrius in faithfulness and charity. Protect Your Church from pride and division, and strengthen all who labor for the Gospel. May I welcome others as You have welcomed me, and walk always in Your truth. Amen.
SECTION-WISE INTERPRETATION
HOSPITALITY, SERVICE, AND THE AUTHORITY OF TRUTH (3 JOHN 1–15)
Introduction
The Third Letter of St. John is a deeply personal and practical letter written by “the Presbyter” to his friend Gaius. Unlike the Second Letter, which warns against hosting false teachers, this letter focuses on the duty of hosting faithful missionaries. It highlights the internal struggles of the early Church, contrasting the humble service of Gaius and Demetrius with the prideful rebellion of Diotrephes.
Catholic theology identifies this passage as a primary text for the Spirituality of Service and the importance of Apostolic Authority. The Church teaches that supporting those who labor for the Gospel makes us “co-workers in the truth.” This section also illustrates the early exercise of the “overseer” role, as John prepares to correct a local leader who has overstepped his bounds (CCC 873, 1937, 2472).
Summary
John writes to the beloved Gaius, wishing him good health in body just as he is healthy in soul. He rejoices because brothers have testified to Gaius’s constancy in the truth. He praises Gaius for his hospitality to traveling missionaries, even those who were strangers. He tells Gaius that by supporting such people, we become “co-workers in the truth.”
John then exposes a conflict: he wrote to the local church, but Diotrephes, who “loves to be first,” refuses to acknowledge the Apostle’s authority. Diotrephes spreads evil gossip and even expels those who try to welcome the brothers. John warns that he will confront this behavior in person. He holds up Demetrius as a positive example, noted for his good witness by everyone and by the truth itself. John concludes by repeating his desire for a face-to-face visit, offering a blessing of peace.
Historical and Jewish Context
In the ancient Mediterranean world, inns were often dangerous and disreputable, making hospitality (philoxenia) a vital Christian virtue for the spread of the Gospel. “For the sake of the name” (v. 7) refers to the Name of Jesus; early Christians often avoided taking money from pagans (“the Gentiles”) to prove their motives were pure. The conflict with Diotrephes reflects the growing pains of early Church governance, where local leaders sometimes resisted the oversight of the Apostles or their direct representatives.
Catholic Theological Perspective
From a Catholic perspective, this passage highlights the Missionary Nature of the Church. The Catechism (CCC 873) teaches that while there is a diversity of ministry, there is a “unity of mission.” Supporting missionaries is not an “extra” but a way of participating in the mission of Christ. John’s rebuke of Diotrephes serves as a warning against Clericalism or any leadership that seeks personal power rather than the “preeminence of Christ.”
The Church Fathers, such as St. Bede the Venerable, noted that the health of the soul is the foundation for all other well-being. This chapter also supports the Value of a Good Reputation; Demetrius is recommended based on “the witness of the truth itself,” showing that a Christian’s character should be visible and consistent. This letter reinforces the Hierarchical Structure of the Church, as the Apostle maintains the right to “bring up” the actions of a local leader.
Parallels in Scripture
Matthew 10:40, “Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”
Romans 12:13, “Contribute to the needs of the holy ones, exercise hospitality.”
Philippians 2:3, “Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves.”
1 Peter 5:3, “Do not lord it over those assigned to you, but be examples to the flock.”
Key Words
Co-workers (Synergoi): Those who work together; we participate in the merits of the Gospel by supporting those who preach it.
Loves to be First (Philoprōteuōn): A unique Greek word describing Diotrephes’ ambition and pride.
The Truth (Alētheia): Not just a concept, but a person (Christ) in whom Gaius “walks.”
Peace (Eirēnē): The wholeness and reconciliation that Christ brings to His friends.
How it leads to Jesus Christ
The “One whose Name is Worthy” reveals Jesus as the Only One who should have Preeminence. The “Source of Truth” reveals Jesus as the One whose life we must mirror. The “Sender of the Brothers” reveals Jesus as the Lord of the Harvest. The “Giver of Peace” reveals Jesus as the One who settles every conflict.
Conclusion
3 John 1–15 teaches us that hospitality and humility are the hallmarks of a life rooted in the truth. St. John shows us that we serve Christ when we welcome and support those who labor for the faith. He reminds us that pride and the desire for “first place” destroy the fellowship of the Church. By following the example of Gaius and Demetrius, we become co-workers in the truth, ensuring that our “soul is healthy” and our witness is pleasing to God.
Message for us today
We are challenged to practice radical hospitality. Do we support the missions of the Church with our prayers and resources, or do we view them as someone else’s responsibility? We are called to examine our motives. Do we, like Diotrephes, “love to be first” in our ministries or families, or are we content to be “co-workers”? We must walk in the truth. Is the “health of our soul” our primary concern, or are we more worried about our physical status? Finally, we should be witnesses of the good, striving to have the kind of reputation that “testifies to the truth” within our communities.
Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, the Truth and the Life, grant us the grace to walk in Your ways with a humble heart. Bless all who labor for Your Name, and make us generous co-workers in their mission. Deliver us from the spirit of pride and the desire for preeminence, and help us to follow the examples of service and hospitality shown by Your faithful servants. May Your peace be with us and with all our brothers and sisters in the faith. Amen.