Ministers of Christ should abound in, and joy in hospitality toward fellow helpers in the Lord, and should beware of the peril of a domineering leadership which stands in the way of blessing to the people of God.
III John 1
1 The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.
2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
3 For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.
4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
5 Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;
6 Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well:
7 Because that for his name’s sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.
8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.
9 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.
10 Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.
11 Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.
12 Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true.
13 I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee:
14 But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name.
III John Intro – J. Vernon McGee
III John Intro 2 – J. Vernon McGee
III John 1:1 – J. Vernon McGee
III John 1:2-3 – J. Vernon McGee
III John 1:4 – J. Vernon McGee
III John 1:5 – J. Vernon McGee
III John 1:6-7 – J. Vernon McGee
III John 1:8 – J. Vernon McGee
III John 1:9 – J. Vernon McGee
III John 1:10-11 – J. Vernon McGee
III John 1:12 – J. Vernon McGee
III John 1:13-14 – J. Vernon McGee
3 John 1 – The Apostle’s Joy
Again we meet the words love and truth. Transparency of speech and life is an essential condition of soul health. It would not be desirable to express the wish of III John 1:2 to all our friends, because if their bodies were to correspond to the condition of their souls, they would suddenly fall into ill-health. In the old legend mirrors were blurred with mist when any approached who were out of harmony with truth, III John 1:4.
The Christian must always act worthily of God, especially toward strangers, III John 1:5-6. “For his name’s sake,” III John 1:7—as children we must maintain the family honor. Such hospitality makes us fellow-workers with the truth. There is a Boanergic touch in III John 1:10. The threefold witness to Demetrius should stir our desire to emulate his character. What will it not be when the dimness of earthly converse is exchanged for the face-to-face intercourse of eternity! III John 1:14. —Through the Bible Day by Day
III John 1:7—For his Name’s sake they went forth.
The beloved elder is anxious about some travelling evangelists, who had gone forth to visit the churches; and is commending them to the care of Gaius. He was to set them forward in a manner that should be worthy of God. This is a high standard for our entertainment of brethren and strangers withal. It would save us from niggardliness and stint, for God is never miserly or meager. It would equally save us from ostentation, since in God there is perfect simplicity. It would pervade our behaviour with the most perfect grace. But notice, in respect of these evangelists:–
Their motive.—“For his name’s sake.” It is not needful to say whose Name. There is one Name above every name, in which whatever we do is to be done. To teach the meaning hidden in that Name; to unfold its sweetness and power; to exert its spell over souls that had never felt its magnetism; to glorify it and make it honored and beloved—this was their one thought and aim. Oh that we were animated by the same gracious motive!
Their delicacy.—They would take nothing of the Gentiles. It seemed to them incongruous to go for alms and maintenance to those who do not love their Lord. Besides, could not He maintain his own servants? They certainly would not have sanctioned the means that modern Christians adopt of getting money from the ungodly.
Their welcome.—We ought to welcome all such and in doing so we may be fellow-helpers with them and with the truth. It is a very beautiful act to link ourselves with God’s honored servants by prayer and sympathy, that we may be counted their fellow-helpers and companions. —Our Daily Homily