 1 The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth.
2 Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul. 3 For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers1 came and testified to your truth, as indeed you are walking in the truth. 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. Support and Opposition 5 Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are, 6 who testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God. 7 For they have gone out for the sake of the name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. 8 Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth. 9 I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority. 10 So if I come, I will bring up what he is doing, talking wicked nonsense against us. And not content with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers, and also stops those who want to and puts them out of the church. 11 Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God. 12 Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself. We also add our testimony, and you know that our testimony is true. Final Greetings 13 I had much to write to you, but I would rather not write with pen and ink. 14 I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face. 15 Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends, each by name. Meditation The Church is a people transformed by truth who take every opportunity to celebrate truth by sacrificially loving and sending workers to take truth to the nations. 2 John rejoices in passing guarded truth to the next generation. 3 John reveals how all Christians participate in taking truth to the nations. The personal letter is centered on truth: Loving relationships in the truth, walking and talking in the truth, speaking the truth, and participating as fellow workers of the truth. Truth has touched the heart of Gaius and the beloved and this transforms their love. The action baked into the letter informs our discipleship and spiritual development, catapulting the church into participation in God’s mission. There is celebration of prayer, rejoicing, walking in the truth, imitation of God and godly men, speaking the truth, generosity displayed in supporting itinerate missionaries, and hospitality. This is contrasted with difficult Diotrephes who is described as someone who puts themselves first, rejects authority, speaks wicked nonsense, and is not welcoming. A heart touched by truth is eager to participate in the life of believers and work of God. Blessing saturates this gospel opportunity. Physical and spiritual health (2), emotional joy for others (4), relational love for those sharing the love of God (5), and directional love as we send others in a way worthy of God (6). Jesus’ love is the ultimate holistic blessing. Jesus is the truth (John 14:6) and calls His Church to love in truth, wholeheartedly participating in His work of redemptive restoration by celebrating truth in our neighborhoods and among the nations. Richly Dwelling -What stands out to you about this letter, especially the centrality of truth and the culture of love and missionary participation cultivated by truth? -How do you reflect the actions celebrated in the letter? -Why does the gospel change everything in regards to knowing truth, being transformed by truth, and sharing love in truth with one another and those taking truth to the nations? Key Verse 8 Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth. Comments are closed.
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