Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 3 John 1

The “elder” (cf. comment on 2Jn 1; also the introduction to 1 John) addresses Gaius as “my dear friend”; his warm affection for Gaius permeates the letter. Although the name “Gaius” occurs elsewhere in the NT (cf. Acts 19:29; 20:4; Romans 16:23; 1 Corinthians 1:14) and is common enough in the literature of the time, his identity, aside from what is said of him in this letter, is unknown to us. He may have been a member of the church Diotrephes appears to have headed. But whether he held any official position in it is uncertain. Regarding “in the truth,” see comment on 2Jn 1.

John’s wishing good health to Gaius does not mean that Gaius was ill. This expression was a conventional one, and though it does not rule out the possibility of particular concern for Gaius’s health, it does not necessitate it. John commends him by praying that things will be as well for his physical health as they have proved to be for his spiritual health. Implied in this verse is a tribute to the wholesome state of Gaius’s spiritual life. Of how many Christians could their physical health be equated with their spiritual health? But the elder knew his man!

Behind this verse we see the flow of Christians between the early churches. This flow may have been occasioned in some instances by a change in personal circumstances and in others because of opposition and persecution. However, it may have been more intentional than this and may have represented, particularly among the Johannine churches, a commitment to live as a fellowship of Christians deeply concerned for one another.

Traveling missionaries and evangelists probably swelled the ranks of those who moved back and forth. Yet it is too much to read into the term “brothers” an exclusive reference to them. There was obviously a lively flow of persons between the church where Gaius was a member and the elder’s community. Moreover, these men appear to be reporting to the elder as a normal and expected activity. They tell him about Gaius’s faithfulness to Christian truth as well as about his sincerity and faithfulness in his daily living. In vv.5–8 the elder specifies the conduct he has in mind. Nowhere in this letter, however, does he refer to the theological issue before the church.

John now comments on his reaction to Gaius’s stand for the truth. There is no more important news he can receive, no greater joy he can experience, than that his own “children” (i.e., his own converts to the faith) are living in faithfulness “to the truth.” The word “children” could, of course, designate any for whom John feels pastoral responsibility (cf. 1Jn 2:13a).

The writer’s warm feeling shines through again as he for the third time addresses Gaius as his “dear friend” (cf. vv.1–2). Now he commends him for his hospitality to Christian brothers who came from the elder to visit the church, even though they were at the time unknown to Gaius. Likely Gaius’s actions were in contrast to what others in his church did, and he may have incurred their displeasure. Although hospitality was required of all Christians (Matthew 10:10; Romans 12:13; 1 Timothy 3:2; 1 Timothy 5:10; Hebrews 13:2), it was sometimes necessary to refuse it (2Jn 10).