The Elder, To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth: Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. (3 John 1:1-4)
The Importance of Walking in Truth
Like his first epistle, 2 John is concerned with the advance of false teaching and its various impacts on the church. Not only have souls been deceived and, thereby, lost by receiving false teachings, but the core value of Christianity to love our fellow Christians was also threatened. This poses such a threat that John urges brethren not to receive false teaching and its teachers into their assembly; those who tolerate false teaching become just as guilty as its teachers.
Gaius: A Man Beloved by John
In his third epistle, we will notice many of the same themes. Some brethren walk in truth, love their fellow Christians, and, through hospitality, love strangers. But not everyone welcomed fellow Christians to their assemblies. A man named Diotrephes perceived John as a threat and refused to receive those sent by the apostle. John exposes this man’s motives and urges the church to shun Diotrephes as an example. The book of 1 John was a general letter to the churches; 2 John seems to be a letter to a congregation; 3 John is a personal letter to Gaius.
Gaius was a common Roman name: three Gaiuses were companions of Paul. There was a Gaius from Derbe who traveled with Paul. A Gaius met with the church of Corinth. And there was a Gaius from Macedonia who was with Paul in Ephesus. Given that this letter was written some thirty years after Paul mentioned those friends, it’s likely that the Gaius of 3 John is a different man. Ancient church tradition claimed the Gaius of 3 John was a church bishop in Pergamum, but we cannot confirm that within Scripture. Regardless, John counted Gaius a close acquaintance.
How We Can Benefit by Walking in Truth
John calls him “beloved” three times, a term of Christian endearment and affection. John is also familiar with this man’s conduct and compliments his faithfulness and integrity. The apostle also depends on Gaius to help him sort out the mess created by Diotrephes. This proud man rejected the fellowship of John and his companions. John emphasizes “the truth” throughout his epistles and gospel account. For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ, he writes in John 1:17. John is the only apostle to record Jesus’s words in John 8:32.
In his first epistle, John urges us to practice the truth, know the truth, distinguish lies from the truth, abide in the truth, and trust in the truth. John rejoiced in 2 John that some in the congregation walked in truth. In 3 John, he compliments Gaius for walking in truth. Many knew Gaius for his integrity, so much so that his reputation had reached John. John’s affection and appreciation for Gaius is evident: “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” The truth and seeing brethren walking in the truth were issues of great importance for John.
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