SHOW HOSPITALITY TO BELIEVERS

3 John 1:1-14 / Keywords 1:8

We ought therefore to show hospitality to such men so that we may work together for the truth.

 

1:1 The elder,

To my dear friend Gaius, whom I love in the truth.

2 Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well. 3 It gave me great joy when some believers came and testified about your faithfulness to the truth, telling how you continue to walk in it. 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

5 Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers and sisters,[a] even though they are strangers to you. 6 They have told the church about your love. Please send them on their way in a manner that honors God. 7 It was for the sake of the Name that they went out, receiving no help from the pagans. 8 We ought therefore to show hospitality to such people so that we may work together for the truth.

9 I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not welcome us. 10 So when I come, I will call attention to what he is doing, spreading malicious nonsense about us. Not satisfied with that, he even refuses to welcome other believers. He also stops those who want to do so and puts them out of the church.

11 Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God. 12 Demetrius is well spoken of by everyone—and even by the truth itself. We also speak well of him, and you know that our testimony is true.

13 I have much to write you, but I do not want to do so with pen and ink. 14 I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face.

15 Peace to you. The friends here send their greetings. Greet the friends there by name.

Footnotes

a. 3 John 1:5 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family.

1. In this letter, the elder John is writing to Gaius and his house church. He praises him for his faithfulness and for raising his children as true believers. When we see the life of faith passing down to the next generation, this gives us real joy. This is a reason to be proud of our children.

 

2. Next, he thanks Gaius for welcoming disciples who came from John to share his message and to encourage the church. He encourages Gaius to keep on serving them in a manner worthy of their faith and godly character. When missionaries or coworkers come from other chapters and nations, we should whole-heartedly welcome them, serve them with hospitality, and learn from them.

 

3. John the elder cautions him against a leader in the church, Diotrephes, who is being political, and discouraging them from welcoming anyone from John. He even goes so far as to exclude from their fellowship anyone who does so, blocking John’s influence over the church from superseding his. Gaius must be alert and not be pressured by him. When we see such behavior, we have to make our own decision to do what is good and right, even if we become unpopular or on the “wrong” side of politics. God will help us and bless us.

 

Prayer Father, please help me to welcome your servants and show genuine hospitality to them. Protect our church from political struggles.

One Word Show hospitality to God’s servants