Fellow Workers

Third John is the most personal of the short letters. The elder writes to Gaius the beloved, whom I love in truth. He prays, Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be healthy, even as your soul prospers. Brothers had arrived and testified about Gaius’s faithfulness, and the elder says, I have no greater joy than this: to hear about my children walking in truth.

Gaius had cared for traveling brothers, even strangers. They had testified about his love before the church. The elder asks Gaius to send them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God. They went out for the sake of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. We therefore ought to receive such, that we may be fellow workers for the truth. Supporting faithful workers makes a believer a partner in their work.

Diotrephes is the opposite example. He loves to be first among them and does not accept the elder. He talks nonsense with wicked words, refuses to receive the brothers, and forbids and puts out those who would. The elder draws the lesson: 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. Demetrius, by contrast, has the testimony of all, and of the truth itself. The elder has much to say, but hopes to speak face to face, and he closes with peace.