2. Authorship and Background The Apostle John addressed his third epistle to Gaius. Someone named Gaius is mentioned Four other times in the Scriptures (I Corinthians 1:14, Acts 19:29, Acts 20:4, and Romans 16:23). but as Gaius was a common name, we do not know if these passages refer to the same person.

3. Purpose The apostle wrote to commend Gaius for entertaining Christian workers who were dependent on the hospitality of believers and to denounce the inhospitable and tyrannical attitudes of Diotrephes. The letter stresses the significance of truth. The word truth is used in five verses in this brief epistle (1, 3, 4, 8, 12).

4. Outline I. COMMENDATION OF GAIUS-III John 1-8 II. CONDEMNATION OF DIOTREPHES-III John 9-11 Ill. REPORT OF DEMETRIUS-III John 12-14

5. Commendation of GaiusIll John 1-8 1:1 The elder to Gaius the beloved, whom I love in truth. 1:2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be healthy, even as your soul prospers. 1:3 For I rejoiced greatly, when brothers came and testified about your truth, even as you walk in truth.

6. 1:4 I have no greater joy than this, to hear about my children walking in truth. 1:5 Beloved, you do a faithful work in whatever you accomplish for those who are brothers and strangers. 1:6 They have testified about your love before the assembly. You will do well to send them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God, 1:7 because for the sake of the Name they went out, taking nothing from the Gentiles. 1:8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.

7. John had heard good reports of Gaius’s spiritual progress, and he desired that Gaius should have a sound body for the habitation of his prospering soul. This comment reveals the heart of a true man of God: John rejoiced at the spiritual progress of another and wished God’s best for him. Gaius was hospitable to the “brethren and strangers.” His hospitality was known and witnessed to in the church. Those who received his hospitality were worthy because they had gone forth for the sake of the name.

8. II. Condemnation of DiotrephesIII John 9-11 1:9 I wrote to the assembly, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, doesn't accept what we say. 1:10 Therefore, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words. Not content with this, neither does he himself receive the brothers, and those who would, he forbids and throws out of the assembly. 1:11 Beloved, don't imitate that which is evil, but that which is good. He who does good is of God. He who does evil hasn't seen God.

9. Obviously Diotrephes was quite influential and was probably an elder in the assembly. His desire to occupy the limelight caused him to reject others who might outshine him. John’s main point is now expressed: “He that doeth good is of God; but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.” Since Diotrephes had such an evil report, no one should follow him

10. DIOTREPHES "Diotrephes" literally means "Zeus-nursed". It was customary when one became a Christian for one to abandon their pagan name, but Diotrephes wouldn't. John implies that he doesn't believe that Diotrephes knows God, calling his behavior "evil". This is an application of his writings in 1John 3:10 "In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother."

11. What was Diotrephese doing wrong? He loves to be first He will have nothing to do with "us". This implies that the Christian community was divided. For who is "us" if not the church? Yet this man seemed not only to be a church goer, but even in some position of leadership in the church. "US" seems to indicate that there was a community of itinerant preachers, including the apostles. John writes similarly in 1John 1Jo 4:6 "We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error." There are "Christians" who claim to believe in Jesus, but reject much of the apostles writings.

12. He is gossiping maliciously about the apostles. No doubt in order to justify rejecting their teachings and/or authority. He refuses to welcome the brothers. He also stops those who want to do so and puts them out of the church. He's basically the opposite of Gaius. It's interesting that he actually has the authority to put them out of the church. How do such people obtain such leadership in a church?

13. III. Report of DemetriusIll John 12-14 1:12 Demetrius has the testimony of all, and of the truth itself; yes, we also testify, and you know that our testimony is true. 1:13 I had many things to write to you, but I am unwilling to write to you with ink and pen; 1:14 but I hope to see you soon, and we will speak face to face. Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.

14. Demetrius was probably the bearer of this letter to Gaius. He had a good reputation among the brethren. Again John expressed his desire to see Gaius in person. Until such a time, he conveyed the greetings of the friends and closed the letter on the note of peace.

15. Jesus spoke of those who love to be first in his parable of the lowest seat When someone invites you to a wedding feast Don't take the best seat, but rather the least For there may be one more honored than you Then what do you suppose the host will do? He'll ask you to give your seat to him Then your prospects will be rather grim For you'll have to move to the lowest seat That's what you'll get for your conceit But rather you should at first take the lowest place When the host comes he will then save your face He will move you to a place which is best And you will be honor before all the guests Everyone who exalts himself will be abased But those who humble themselves will be raised.