Outline of III John

Dr. Wesley K. Smith
Pastor of Kirby Road Baptist Church, and President of Temple Baptist College, Cincinnati, Ohio

  1. Background of III John.
    1. Author:   As with II John, III John only identifies the author as the elder, vs.1.
    2. Addressee: unto the well-beloved Gaius-This letter is addressed to a man whereas II John was addressed to a woman. Since Gaius is one of the most popular names used in the Roman Empire, it is impossible to identify him further. Some conjectures are: Gaius of Macedonia (Acts 19:29), Gaius of Derbe(Acts 20:4), Gaius of Corinth (Romans 16:23), Gaius whom Paul baptized (I Corinthians 1:14), or someone completely different who John regarded as a personal friend and active lay member of his church.
    3. Date and place of writing:
      1. No internal evidence.
      2. Believed by most to be about the same time as II John.
    4. The occasion and purpose: the letter was written to solve problems relating to traveling Christian missionaries. Those who taught true doctrine were to be entertained and helped in their travels. Diotrephes, a member of the church to which Gaius belonged, had personally refused to allow these to be received by the church, rejected the elder's authority, and expelled the members of the church who welcomed the messengers. Therefore, the elder wrote his good friend, Gaius, urging him to help these men, informing him that what Diotrephes did was wrong, and that he would exercise apostolic authority over him when he comes – but now – receive Demetrius.

  2. The contents of the letter (paragraph divisions at vs. 1,2,5,9,11,13).
    1. The salutation, vs. 1-4.
      1. The writer, v. la.
      2. The reader, v. 1b.
    2. The message, vs. 2-12.
      1. The influence of Gaius – a prosperous Christian, vs. 2-8.
        1. His godly life, vs. 2-4.
        2. His generous treatment of missionaries, vs. 5-8.
      2. The indictment of Diotrephes – a proud Christian, vs. 9-11.
        1. His selfish ambition, v. 9.
        2. His selfish activities, v. 10-11.
    3. The close, vs. 13-14.
      1. There are some more things I need to say, but I need to say them in person, v. 13.
      2. I will be there shortly, v. 14a.
      3. Peace be to you, v. 14b.
      4. Others say hello, v. 14c.
      5. Be personal with each other, v. 14d.

  3. Applications from the Letter.
    1. For us-individually – as members of the churches.
      1. What kind of church member are we?
        1. Are we prosperous Christians in the manner of our service and at­titudes?
        2. Because of pride, are we standing in the way of God's work and assuming authority we just do not have like Diotrephes?
        3. Are pleasantly obedient to the service of God like Demetrius?
      2. Do our lives exhibit the influence of Gaius in a Godly life and generous treatment of others?
      3. Does the indictment of Diotrephes apply to our ambitions and activities?
      4. How long has it been since we received a missionary into our home?
      5. How is our attitude and action influencing the direction of the church for missions?
    2. For us – collectively – as the members of churches.
      1. Beware that all three attitudes are found in some degree in almost every church.
      2. Does your church suffer from the Diotrephes' Syndrome? It is if you refuse to give to world-outreach.
        1. Placing yourself above the need of the lost.
        2. Profaning the cause of the Gospel.
        3. Promoting the same attitude among others.
        4. Preventing the blessing of God.
      3. A church needs to deal severely with a Diotrephes – if it does not, he will take over and stop God's blessings.
      4. A church develops a personality as the members' attitudes are expressed collectively. What is your church's attitude concerning helping people?
      5. A sign once read: If each member of this church were just like me, What kind of church would this church be?
    3. For us – personally – as the Holy Spirit has illumined in this study.