Chapter 1
Salutation
1 The elder…
The author identifies himself.
…to the beloved Ga′ius, …
The recipient of the letter is a man named Gaius (GAY-US).
…whom I love in the truth.
John Bingo: “love” and “truth”.
Gaius Commended for His Hospitality
2 Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in health; I know that it is well with your soul.
John says that he hopes Gaius’ physical health is well – he knows that is spiritual health is in tip-top shape.
3 For I greatly rejoiced when some of the brethren arrived and testified to the truth of your life, as indeed you do follow the truth.
Some Christians known to John, probably from his local congregation visited Gaius’ area and have told John good things about the way he lives. This is the reason for John’s confidence in Gaius’ spiritual health (“I know that it is well with your soul”).
John Bingo: “truth” (x2)
4 No greater joy can I have than this, to hear that my children follow the truth.
This is probably my favourite line from this epistle. What could be the greater desire for any parent? John regards Gaius as a spiritual child of his.
5 Beloved, it is a loyal thing you do when you render any service to the brethren, especially to strangers, 6 who have testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their journey as befits God’s service. 7 For they have set out for his sake and have accepted nothing from the heathen.
John affirms Gaius’ actions in welcoming these visiting missionaries, even though he didn’t know them personally (“strangers”). These visitors have told everyone about about him (“testified…before the church”).
John Bingo: “Beloved”, “testified”, “truth”.
8 So we ought to support such men, that we may be fellow workers in the truth.
This is an interesting line which indicates that those who sponsor and care for missionaries have a share in their mission.
Diotrephes and Demetrius
9 I have written something to the church; …
It is possible that the author is referring to 2 John here.
…but Diot′rephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge my authority. 10 So if I come, I will bring up what he is doing, prating against me with evil words. And not content with that, he refuses himself to welcome the brethren, and also stops those who want to welcome them and puts them out of the church.
John tells us about another figure called Diotrephes (DI-OTRA-FEES). It appears that he is in some kind of leadership role of the congregation. Paul lays the following charges against him:
1. He doesn’t acknowledge John’s authority
2. He’s slandering John
3. He doesn’t receive visiting missionaries in the same good manner as Gaius
4. He excommunicates anyone who does welcome them.
This Diotrephes is a problem…
11 Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. He who does good is of God; he who does evil has not seen God.
John gives a few simple maxims concerning out conduct and our relationship to good and evil. He talks about “see[ing] God”, but he’s not speaking literally. He’s talking about truly knowing God. Those who do evil can’t truly know Him.
John Bingo: “Beloved”
12 Deme′trius has testimony from every one, and from the truth itself; I testify to him too, and you know my testimony is true.
John refers to a man known as “Demetrius”. He is most likely the carrier of this letter. John says that he has testimony from everyone. John himself vouches for him him.
This verse is reminiscent of the end of John’s Gospel.
Final Greetings
13 I had much to write to you, but I would rather not write with pen and ink; 14 I hope to see you soon, and we will talk together face to face.
This ending is much like 2 John. It again reminds us that the primary means of spreading the Gospel and dealing with conflict in the Church was oral, rather than in writing. Again, the reference to speaking “face to face” is reminiscent of the Greek in John 1:1.
15 Peace be to you…
Traditional Hebrew wish.
The friends greet you.
The Christians in John’s congregation send their best wishes.
Greet the friends, every one of them.
John asks Gaius to great everyone in his congregation.