Yesterday afternoon was quite nice. Had a chance to get out and do some walking in the woods around the house and then do some barn work!! Today is lectionary and errand day- going to be a fun day!
This is a genuine letter, written to a specific person for a particular reason. We don't know the author exactly, but he addresses himself as "the elder" so similar to 2 John; presumably the same person wrote both. A person by the name of Diotrephes is dividing the congregation based on his teachings and John is writing to Gaius, the congregation leader, hoping to help him solve the problem,. The date of the letter is unknown; there is some reference to it in 3rd century writings but that is really all we have to work with.
Gaius is a very common Roman name; it is assumed that this Gaius is the leader of a congregation and the author, John, prays for his good health (a very common salutation) and commends him for walking in the truth, living by the revelation of God in Christ. It may be that Gaius was at one time a disciple, as John is pleased that his child (v 4) is walking in truth. As I said yesterday, it is a real joy for a pastor to see their people doing good work! John seems very happy and full of joy!
John praises Gaius for his hospitality (v 5); I assume John sees this as an outpouring of God's love to "strangers". The compliments continue when John mentions Gaius' faith and good works in faith. Teachers/ preachers were often itinerant and relied on the goodness of the people that they went to preach to. John is pleased with the support Gaius and his congregation provided for these preachers, so much so that they didn't have to rely on any support from the Gentiles (non-believers, v 7); Gentiles are now referenced as "non-Christians" (rather than non-Jews in the Gospels and some of the epistles).
Now comes the "but". You're doing a good job BUT ! John publicly rebukes and calls out Diotrephes for being too full of himself, too full of pride, in contrast to humble Gaius. Not only is Diotrephes too prideful, he doesn't pay any attention to John or others in authority (that sounds like me at times! Not the pride part- I don't think!). Diotrephes also seems to be kicking people out of the church that show hospitality (v 10).
John has given us two examples- Gaius (good) and Diotrephes (not so good); now we decide which model to follow (v 11). Obviously, the good are form God and the bad are not from God! Demetrius is another example of good (Demetrius may have been the one to carry the letter from John to Gaius) and John wanted Gaius to know that he was a good guy and should extend his hospitality to Demetrius.
As John ended the last letter to "the elect lady", John ends this one with a hope of a personal visit to Gaius and the blessings from "friends"; John probably had several followers with him as he discussed this problem and they are the "friends" that send greetings. A mark of Christian love that we can be friends separated by miles! The letter is about conflict and trouble in Gaius' church, yet John wishes peace.
This was a simple and easy to follow letter!! Get ready for that to change as we start Revelation tomorrow! 22 chapters means we will be done in just a few short weeks! Can you imagine? The entire New Testament in a year!! I will post an introduction to Revelation later.
Have a great rest of the day.
Peace+
Pastor Paul
John writes a personal letter to Gaius thanking him for his hospitality to traveling preachers as when they are traveling there is no place for them to stay without paying . Gaius opens his home to these leaders of the gospel. John also criticizes the leader of the church who wants to be the big cheese and tell the members how to worship plus he is also not right with the truth . This is a message for us to be welcoming to all Christians opening our homes and hearts and help them where help is needed I think.
ReplyDeleteGood point- a message for us to welcome too! How do we do? Are we welcoming? To all?
DeleteGood thoughts!
When I read this "thank you" note, I wondered first of all why this was important enough to be placed in the NT and if John wanted us to read such a note - that seemed rather private. I do understand now why in 3 John and in 2 John, John notes that he does not want to write more to the "lady" or to Gaius in pen and paper - not only so it won't be intercepted but to stay private?
ReplyDeleteAfter reading the Gospel John and 1, 2 and 3 John, I could not find anything new to learn here that has not been said before. Is it here just because John wrote it? Or was thought to have wrote it way back then? And John was the apostle Jesus loved?
I am anxious to read Revelations and read everyone's thoughts!
There was quite a bit of "controversy" about including this letter. There is really no revelation of God in this letter, but for some reason it was included....maybe, like Clara said- to encourage welcoming others?
DeleteThere is even controversy as to whether John even wrote these! It is a puzzle why they were included!
Maybe, like you say, it was included because John seemed to be the favored disciple, the one whom Jesus loved.
Good thoughts
I agree this was easy to follow. You are right Donna it does not bring a lot to the table but maybe it is just to
ReplyDeleteshow that those who have traveled and preached the good news were being acknowledged.
I think we all agree!
DeleteI agree with Cindy and Donna. Not much new here. More warnings about how to act. We all need to be hospitable to stranger as best we can and beware of people who get too full of pride, or of being too prideful yourself.
ReplyDeleteRight- no new revelations for us!
DeleteAlthough it appears that there is little new in this chapter, in my translation (NIV), in verse 7, John says: “It was for the sake of the Name that they went out, receiving no help from the pagans” [emphasis mine]. This means, if I have read it correctly, that John is so pleased with Gaius and his congregation for their support, that they don’t have to rely on support from the pagans, who must have helped him before on visits to other churches.
ReplyDeleteJohn certainly doesn’t like Diotrephes as he rebukes him for his love to be first, and his spreading of malicious nonsense about John. He has nothing but good to say about Demetrius, however.
Other than that, there is nothing new about John in this chapter that we haven’t seen before.
I, too, am looking forward to reading Revelations.
Right- the pagans (or some translations say Gentiles) did not need to help the travelers- so that means that the Christians were supportive of the mission!
ReplyDeleteJohn is quite vocal!
Thanks JAck!