Study Notes:

1. Gaius is commended as an ENCOURAGER.
Vs. 1-8
The Elder
John is an “elder” in age but also as a church leader.
He is the last remaining apostle.

1) The WELL beloved to whom he wrote the letter
Vs. 1b
There is no question that the Apostle John dearly loved this man!
He called him “beloved” twice in the greeting.

Notice he uses the same phrase as in 2 John 1:1
“love in the truth”

Why?
Love must be tempered and directed through the word of God.So, we are not talking about sloppy agape.

Paul mentions this idea of love and its constraints in writing to the church at Phillipi.

Phil 1:9-11
Our love is to be abounding, growing more and more.
At the same time Paul says our love should have some constraints.

that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment

How would we know how LOVE should operate?

By watching movies.
By reading Romance novels.

No, we get it from the author of Love, God himself. As it is defined and described for us the Bible.

2) His WISH for Gaius is his physical and spiritual health
Vs. 2
John may be hinting here that his dear friend was not well and that John was praying for restored health
If this is the case, then it is evidence that it is possible to be spiritually healthy and physically sick.

But can there be a direct link between our spiritual health and our physical health?

3) The WITNESS he received concerning Gaius.
Vs. 3-4
-1 His very CONDUCT brought joy to John.
Vs. 3
Gaius was recognized as a man who obeyed the Word of God and “walked in truth” (see 2 John 4).
Ps. 1:1-3

-2 His very personal CONNECTION is mentioned by John
Vs. 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

-3 His COMMITMENT was rooted in faithfulness.
Vs. 5

In practical ways, he assisted those who were ministering the Word. Strangers is a reference to missionaries.
you do faithfully whatever you do for the brethren and for strangers

Gaius acted toward the traveling teachers consistently with what he believed.
Gal 6:10

-4 His CHARITY is commended by John
Vs. 6
“witness of your love”
The old King James uses the word charity here for agape.He was providing for the needs of others.

Paul makes an interesting comment about giving and supporting missionaries in Phil 4.
Phil 4:19


4) The WORD that John gave to him.
Vs. 7-8
Vs. 7 because they went forth for His name's sake, taking nothing from the Gentiles.

Those that were helped went forth “for His name’s sake”
When John uses the word “Gentiles” here, he is using it in the sense of those who do not know Christ.

Vs. 8 we ought to receive such, that we may become fellow workers for the truth.
The verb is in the present tense and expresses our continual obligation to support them.


2. Diotrephes EXERCISED extreme control over the people.
Vs. 9-10
Diotrephes is mentioned as someone who was abusing his power.In verse 9 John mentions a letter he had written to the church. This letter cannot be the current letter or 1 or 2 John.

What is wrong with Diotrephes?

1) He IGNORED the clear teaching of Jesus.
Vs. 9b who loves to have the preeminence among them
Jesus had to remind the apostles that their model for ministry was not the Roman official who “lorded it over” people.
Mark 10:42-45
The Jesus Style is being others oriented.

2) He INFLATED his own self importance
The word preeminence means, to be first.
He was a man who “likes to put himself first.” This is a fascinating word that occurs only here in the entire New Testament.

There is only one who is preeminent in the church, and his name is Jesus Christ (Colossians 1:18).

3) He INTIMIDATED other leaders by not wanting their fellowship.
Vs. 10b he himself does not receive the brethren,

He wanted to control others, like some people in the church today.

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