The Book of 3 John - Analysed and Explained in Summary - Volumes 1, 2, and 3 of "The Analysed Bible" by G. Campbell Morgan.
To the best of our knowledge we are of the understanding that this book, taken from Volumes 1, 2, & 3 of the "Analysed Bible" by G. Campbell Morgan published in 1907, and freely available elsewhere on the internet is in the public domain.
3 JOHN - CHRIST AND FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD
INTRODUCTION - 3 John 1:1-1:4
1. The Address - 1:1
2. The Prayer - 1:2
3. The Apostle's Joy - 1:3-1:4
Part A: GAIUS: LOVE PRACTICED - 3 John 1:5-1:8
A1. Gaius' Hospitality - 3 John 1:5-1:6a
A2. Injunction to Continue - 3 John 1:6b
A3. The Reason - 3 John 1:7-1:8
Part B: DIOTREPHES: LOVE VIOLATED - 3 John 1:9-1:10
B1. The Reason of Diotrephes' Disobedience - 3 John 1:9
B2. The Warning - 3 John 1:10a
B3. The Expression of Diotrephes' Pride - 3 John 1:10b
Part C: DEMETRIUS: LOVE, LIGHT, LIFE - 3 John 1:11-1:12
C1. The Injunction - 3 John 1:11a
C2. Central Statement - 3 John 1:11b
C3. The Example of Demetrius - 3 John 1:12
CONCLUSION - 3 John 1:12-1:13
1. Anticipation of Meeting
2. A Message of Peace
Introduction - 3 John 1:1-1:4
There are three persons previously mentioned in the New Testament bearing the name of Gaius: Gaius of Macedonia (Acts 19:29), Gaius of Derbe (Acts 20:4), and Gaius of Corinth (1 Cor. 1:14). The Gaius to whom John wrote may be yet a fourth. It is, however, extremely probable that he was the Gains of Corinth, for there is similarity between the hospitality which Paul mentioned (Rom. 16;23) and that commended by John.
This letter is indeed on the subject of that hospitality as it revealed love, and afforded the apostle an opportunity to utter a warning again schism, which is always due to lack of love. His argument circles around three persons - Gaius, Diotrephes, and Demetrius. It may be divided thus; Introduction (1-4); the Hospitality of Gaius, its Value, Love practised (5-8); the Arrogance of Diotrephes, its Condemnation, Love violated (8-10); the Example of Demetrius, its Cause, Love, Light, Life (11, 12); Conclusion (13, 14).
Very tender and delicate is the introduction. The apostle's recognition of the spiritual health of Gaius when he prayed that his physical prosperity and health might equal it, is beautiful. Again the keynote is Truth. As in the letter to the elect lady the apostle had uttered his warnings against a false charity and hospitality, here he commended true love and hospitality. If there is a hospitality impossible to loyalty to truth, it is equally true there is a kind which such loyalty necessitates and inspires.
A. Gaius. Love Practised - 3 John 1:5-1:8
Certain evangelists had been received and entertained by Gaius. For this the apostle commended him, and declared that he would do well to set them forth on their journey, "worthily of God." This is a remarkable phrase, and capable of more than one interpretation. It may mean that Gaius was to see in them the messengers of God, and was to send them forth in a way befitting such sacred calling. It may have reminded Gaius that he was a child of God, and urged him to act accordingly. In all probability it included both these thoughts. The privileges of showing hospitality to the messengers of the Gospel is set forth in the words, "that we may be fellow-workers for the truth."
B. Diotrephes. Love Violated - 3 John 1:9-1:10
In striking contrast to Gains stands Diotrephes. He had refused to receive some who were recommended to the Church by John, and had gone so far as to cast out of the Church those who did receive them. The whole truth about this man is seen in one of those illuminative sentences in which the character of a man is so often revealed in the Scriptures. "Diotrephes, who loveth to have the pre-eminence." That is the essential violation of love, for "love ... seeketh not her own." This is an instance of heterodoxy of spirit or temper, rather than of intellect. There is no evidence that this man was teaching false doctrine, but he was not submissive to authority. As is always the case, the unsubmissive one becomes the greatest tyrant, and thus by disobedience he manifests his lack of love. As loyalty to truth is the sphere of love, so also is it the evidence of love. The arrogance of this man shows the governing principle of his life to be selfishness rather than love.
C. Demetrius. Love. Light. Life - 3 John 1:11-1:12
Gaius is urged to imitate good rather than evil, and immediately another change is before us in the introduction of Demetrius. In all likelihood he was the bearer of the letter, and John quoted him in direct contrast to Diotrephes. The central statement of the epistle is found in verse eleven. "He that doeth good is of God; he that doeth evil hath not seen God." The relations of love to life and light are suggested. Doing good is to be interpreted by the subject of the letter, hospitality. Those who act in love thus, do so because they are of God, that is, related to Him in the fellowship of life. Such are Gaius and Demetrius. Those who act in evil by selfishness, do so because they have no fellowship with God in light, not having seen Him.
Conclusion - 3 John 1:12-1:13
The letter closes with words anticipatory of a meeting, and with a message of peace.