BEN F. VICK, JR.
“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. 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. 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. I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee: 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.” (3 John 10–14.)
John, known as the “whom Jesus loved” wrote Gaius, an older man, whom he loved in the truth (vs.1). He loved him as a brother in Christ. He loved him because of his love of the truth. He desired what was best for him. John prayed above all things that he would prosper, be in health, even as his soul prospered. He desired that he would be in good physical health as he was in spiritual growth. We can be concerned and pray for fellow believers that they will have good health as well as continue to develop spiritually.
It is interesting that John’s joy was exceeding great when he had heard from other brothers in Christ who had acknowledged that Gaius was walking in the truth. It was not mere hearsay, but was confirmed by others of Gaius’ faithfulness to the Lord. It is always encouraging when we learn of the faithfulness of others. On the other hand, it is very discouraging when we learn of others who are no longer walking with us. One reads sadness in the words of Paul when he wrote, “Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world” (2 Tim. 4:10.) This tells me that John was concerned about his brethren in the Lord. Paul had daily care for all the churches (2 Cor. 11: 28). Surely the same must have been John’s concern as well.
We know John’s love for his converts was great for he had written, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” (3 John 4.) A father’s or a mother's love for their children is beyond words. A mother in great pain, and sometimes to the brink of death, gives birth to a child. Her love for her children is great. A father’s love will sacrifice much for his children. Christian parents have tremendous joy when they know their children are walking in truth. John felt that same emotion for his converts for he said, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” (3 John 4.) Instructing and disciplining one’s children in the Lord, setting the right example before them are great investments. The rewards are beyond measure. One’s joy is overflowing.
A love of brothers and sisters in Christ, as well as strangers, was exemplified by Gaius. John urged him to help them on their journeys. If he did that, he would do well. Then, John exhorts all, “We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.” (vs. 8.)
We then see a change in tone in this short epistle. John wields the two-edged sword of the Spirit upon Diotrephes who wanted to have preeminence in the church. It was rule or ruin for him. He would not welcome John. Imagine that! This brother had the gall and gumption to reject an apostle of Jesus! What was John’s plan? Would he ignore this man? John wrote, “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.” (3 John 10.) Diotrophes was making outrageous statements, or chattering maliciously about John and other brethren. Not only was Diotrophes not willing to receive the brethren, but he forbade others to receive them and would cast them out of the church! What would John do? He wrote, “Wherefore, if I come….” He planned to go shortly. This is a conditional sentence of the third class which means the probable future. It expresses that which is not taking place, but which probably will take place in the future. John was not going to let it slide.
Next in this epistle John exhorts, “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.” (3 John 11.) All of us need to be encouraged to avoid evil and follow good. Do you do good? Then you are of God. But if one does not do good, he has not “seen God.” “Hath not seen God”? But no one has seen God (John 1:18). What does this mean? “Seen” is used in the sense of experienced God as “seen the kingdom of God” means to experience the kingdom of God (John 3:3.).
John begins to close out this letter by referring to a good brother: “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.” (3 John 12) A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches (Prov. 22:1). So, sandwiched between the rotten ruler, Diotrophes, were two good brothers – Gaius and Demetrius.
John closes out his letter by saying that he had many things to write, but would not do so at that time. He had hoped to see Gaius soon face to face. Letters are good, but personal visits are the best.
In some versions, the letter ends after verse fourteen, but other versions divide the verse into two verses. Thus, ending at verse fifteen. This does not matter because all is included, whether it is in one verse (KJV, ASV, NKJV) or in two, as others (ESV, NASV, NIV). Keep in mind, men divided the New Testament into verses in 1551.The closing sentences are: “Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name.” This is still our wish for peace to be with all. “Friends” here may be another way to refer to brethren. It was not a title like the Quakers use.