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Introduction
to 3 John
This summary of the book of 3 John provides information about the
title, author(s), date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a
brief overview, and the chapters of the Book of 3 John.
The author is John the apostle. In the first verses of both 2 John
and 3 John the author identifies himself as "the elder." Note other
similarities: "love in the truth" (v. 1 of both letters),
"walking in the truth" (v. 4 of both letters) and the similar
conclusions. See Introductions to 1 John and the Gospel of John: Author.
The letter was probably written about the same time as 1 and 2
John (a.d. 85-95). See Introduction to 1 John: Date.
See Introduction to 2 John: Occasion and Purpose. Itinerant
teachers sent out by John were rejected in one of the churches in the province
of Asia by a dictatorial leader, Diotrephes, who even excommunicated members
who showed hospitality to John's messengers. John wrote this letter to commend Gaius
for supporting the teachers and, indirectly, to warn Diotrephes.
I.
Greetings (1-2)
──《New
International Version》
Introduction to 3 John
This epistle is addressed to a converted
Gentile. The scope is to commend his stedfastness in the faith, and his
hospitality, especially to the ministers of Christ.
── Matthew Henry《Concise Commentary on 3 John》
3 John General Review
INTRODUCTION
1. It is not unusual for people to wonder... a. What was the early church like? b. We know a lot about its early leaders, such as apostles Paul and Peter; but what about the average Christians themselves? c. Were they more spiritual than Christians today? Did they experience the kind of problems seen so often in churches today? 2. Several books of the New Testament reflect the life of the early church, and this is especially true of the Third Epistle of John a. It is a private letter, between the apostle John and a Christian named Gaius b. It provides portraits of three different men, and in so doing gives us a glimpse of 1st century life in local churches 3. When one examines the portraits found in this letter, we learn that there is not much difference between people back then, and in the church today 4. Therefore this epistle is very relevant, though we may live 1900 years later. In this lesson, we shall... a. Consider some background material concerning the epistle b. Notice the difference between the three men described in the letter c. Summarize with some lessons that can be gleaned from this book [Let's begin with some...] I. BACKGROUND INFORMATION
A. THE AUTHOR - "THE ELDER" 1. As with 2 John, the "elder" is believed by most conservative scholars to be the apostle John 2. The INTERNAL evidence... a. The three epistles of John utilize much the same language and ideas b. All bear similarity to concepts and language to the Gospel of John c. The term "elder" would be a fitting description of John as the author, writing in his old age 3. The EXTERNAL evidence is slight, but Dionysius of Alexandria, living in the third century A.D., credits John with being the author B. RECIPIENT - "THE BELOVED GAIUS" 1. Gaius was a common Roman name, and appears five times in the New Testament - Ac 19:29; 20:4; Ro 16:23; 1 Co 1:14; 3 Jn 1 2. Whether he is one of those mentioned by Luke or Paul cannot be determined 3. He is evidently a dear friend of John, and known for his hospitality (more below) C. PLACE 1. Ephesus wrote this epistle, as he was known to live there in the later years of his life 2. Estimation of the date of writing varies widely, some placing it before the destruction of Jerusalem 70 A .D.), most however placing it around 90-95 A .D. D. PURPOSE OF THE EPISTLE 1. To confirm that Gaius did right in supporting those teachers who came his way, encouraging him to continue this hospitality - 3 Jn 5-8 2. To express his condemnation of Diotrephes for rejecting John and others whom he should had received - 3 Jn 9-10 3. To encourage Gaius to imitate what is good, commending Demetrius as a good example - 3 Jn 11-12 E. BRIEF OUTLINE 1. Greetings, with an expression of great joy (1-4) 2. The confirmation of Gaius (5-8) 3. The condemnation of Diotrephes (9-10) 4. The commendation of Demetrius (11-12) 4. Concluding remarks (13-14) F. A COMPARISON BETWEEN SECOND AND THIRD JOHN 1. Both letters focus on the words "love" and "truth" - 2 Jn 1;3 Jn 1
2. But notice this difference: a. In 2nd John, love is enjoined, but there is a warning against tolerating those who denied the truth b. In 3rd John, love is praised, and there is commendation for supporting those who proclaimed the truth 3. Another comparison: a. 2nd John condemns the departure from the truth which is known as "heresy" b. 3rd John condemns the lack of love among Christians which results in "schism" -- (These comparisons are from Charles R. Erdman's commentary) [With this brief background to the epistle, let's take a closer look at...]
－－《Executable
Outlines》