ACC ~ 3 John 1 v1

THE THEME OF THE LETTER. ANDREAS: John writes this letter to encourage some fellow believers. He writes to Gaius and testifies to his great hospitality, which he praises. He says that someone who does such good is from God. He goes on to tell him to expel Diotrephes, who has not learned to do the same thing. He also praises Demetrius for doing the same as Gaius and mentions his faith as a testimony to his virtue. His main purpose for writing is the same as it was in his second letter. CATENA.

TO THE BELOVED GAIUS. BEDE: Who this Gaius was and what he was like becomes apparent in the course of the letter. He was a man who had believed in Christ and as a result of that was living a life of good works. He was not a preacher himself, but he was happy to support the preaching ministry out of his own pocket. He is probably to be identified with the Gaius mentioned by Paul as his host. For Gaius was a host to the whole church, who opened his doors to everyone who came along, whether they were the preachers or the hearers of the Word. ON 3 JOHN.

LOVE IN THE TRUTH. OECUMENIUS: The person who loves God with heartfelt charity loves in the truth, a point which John often makes in his other letters. COMMENTARY ON 3 JOHN.

3 Jn