The Ignatius Catholic Study Bible New Testament (284 page)

Commentary on The Second Letter of Saint John

1 The elder:
Or, "the presbyter". The Greek term can refer to an elderly man or to an ordained shepherd of the Church, such as an apostle (1 Pet 5:1) or priest (Acts 14:23). John was both an apostle and an older man at the time of writing. See word study:
Elders
at Jas 5:14.
the elect lady:
Some think the addressee is an individual matron, named Electa or Kyria (the Greek is
eklektē kyria
). More likely, it is a local Church, as suggested by the greeting from a sister community in verse 13. John envisions this local congregation in the same way that Paul envisions the universal Church: as feminine and maternal (Eph 5:23; CCC 2040). See introduction to 2 John:
Themes and Characteristics.
 
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3 Grace, mercy, and peace:
The same greeting is used in 1 and 2 Timothy and represents an expansion of the more usual formula, "grace and peace" (Rom 1:7; 1 Pet 1:2; Rev 1:4). 
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4 some of your children:
The implication of this statement is uncertain. Either John had made contact with only "some" of his readers, and these he found obeying the gospel, or else he implies that only "some" of those he encountered were doing well, while others were not. The absence of any rebuke in the letter, along with the general affirmation in verse 8, seems to favor the former interpretation. 
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5 from the beginning:
John's teaching about love is not new but is traceable back to the initial catechesis of his readers (6; 1 Jn 3:11).
love one another:
The supreme mandate that Christ has laid upon his disciples (Jn 13:34). The meaning of his words is explained by his example, which shows us that Christian love is not an emotion, but an act of the will that adheres to the commandments of God (Jn 14:31) and expresses itself through heroic generosity and sacrifice, even to the point of death (Jn 15:13). 
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7 many deceivers:
Heretical teachers who denied that God the Son came
in the flesh
as a man. In doing so, they exchanged the truth of the gospel for lies and became "false prophets" who streamed out "into the world" with their errors (1 Jn 4:1) (CCC 465). Behind this warning is John's concern that these troublemakers might destroy the faith of others, as well (1 Jn 2:26).
See note on 1 Jn 4:2
.
the antichrist:
A title given to anyone who denies the Father and the Son and attacks the messianic claims of Jesus (1 Jn 2:22; CCC 675).
See note on 1 Jn 2:18
. 
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8 what you have worked for:
The attainment of salvation (Phil 2:12) as well as additional rewards bestowed for faithful service (1 Cor 3:14). 
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9 one who goes ahead:
The Greek text envisions someone who "goes beyond" the limits of authentic Christian doctrine. No hint is given as to their motives, but such individuals are often described as "progressives" who not only embrace novel teachings, but who leave behind the truths of apostolic faith in the process.
does not have God:
Faith in God and fellowship with God go hand in hand. John is insistent on this point and warns that breaking away from the true faith means breaking away from the one true God. 
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10 into the house:
A house church used for Christian assembly. Private homes were a common venue for fellowship, catechesis, and liturgy in apostolic times (Acts 2:46; 1 Cor 16:19). John wants to block deceivers (2 Jn 7) from gaining admittance to these gatherings and disseminating their errors. Hospitality could prove harmful in this extreme situation. 
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12 paper:
Literally, "papyrus". The limited writing space on a single sheet of papyrus probably determined the length of the letter.
face to face:
John voices his preference for personal rather than written instruction. The same sentiment is expressed in 3 Jn 13-14 and by Paul in 1 Cor 11:34. 
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13 your elect sister:
An unnamed sister Church (possibly Ephesus) in the region. 
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INTRODUCTION TO

Author
 The Third Letter of John is nearly identical in style, structure, and length to 2 John, and both have close affinities with 1 John. Interrelations of this type among the Johannine epistles support the common authorship of all three letters, which tradition generally attributes to John the Apostle, son of Zebedee and one of the Twelve (Mk 3:17). Indeed, it would be hard to account for the inclusion of such a short and incidental letter as 3 John in the canon of Scripture unless the epistle had a strong claim to apostolic authenticity in the ancient Church. Even on internal grounds, the Apostle John emerges as the most likely of any proposed candidate for authorship.

Date
 The same factors that suggest a single author wrote 1, 2, and 3 John also suggest the letters were written about the same time, probably around
A.D.
100. A number of scholars contend that 3 John was actually the first of the three Johannine letters to be written, but this has not been determined with certainty. See introduction to 2 John:
Author and Date.

Purpose
 Third John was written for several reasons:
(1)
to encourage the addressee, "Gaius" (1), in his efforts to show hospitality toward traveling preachers in need of temporary food and lodging (5-8);
(2)
to expose a certain "Diotrephes", whose heavy-handed leadership over a local Church was not to be endorsed or imitated (9-11); and
(3)
to recommend to Gaius a faithful brother named "Demetrius", who probably delivered this letter by hand (12).

Themes and Characteristics
 Third John holds the distinction of being the shortest writing in the NT. Its tone is generally warm and pastoral, and its contents are straightforward and practical. What is most distinctive about 3 John is the problem it addresses: jurisdictional rivalry among leaders in the primitive Church.

On the one side stands John, the apostle and shepherd over several Church communities, which tradition locates in Asia Minor. On the other side is Diotrephes, a leader in one of these local Churches, who is behaving more like a dictator than a pastor. When delegates or missionaries arrive from John, Diotrephes shuts them out. When opinions are voiced about John, he slanders the apostle with damaging words. When parishioners express their loyalty to John by hosting his emissaries, he drives them out of his community (9-10). John deals with this distressing situation by asking Gaius, already reputed for his hospitality (5-6), to keep both his heart and his home open to authentic preachers of the gospel (8, 12). Hope is held out that John might soon make an appearance to visit Gaius face to face (14) and to call Diotrephes to account for his tyrannical ways (10). «

OUTLINE OF THE THIRD LETTER OF SAINT JOHN

1. Opening Address (
1-4
)

2. Body of the Letter (
5-12
)

   A. Gaius Encouraged (
5-8
)

   B. Diotrephes Exposed (
9-11
)

   C. Demetrius Commended (
12
)

3. Closing Greeting (
13-15
)

THE THIRD LETTER OF

Salutation

1
 
The elder
to the beloved Ga'ius, whom I love in the truth.

Gaius Commended for His Service

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.
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.
⁴
No greater joy can I have than this, to hear that
my children
follow the truth.

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.
⁸
So we ought to
support such men
, that we may be fellow workers in the truth.

Diotrephes and Demetrius

9
 
I have written
something to the Church; 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, accusing me falsely 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.

11
 Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. He who does good is of God; he who does evil has
not seen God
.
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.

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.

15
 Peace be to you.
The friends
greet you. Greet the friends, every one of them.

Commentary on The Third Letter of Saint John

1 The elder:
The same pastoral title is used by the author of 2 John. Early Christian tradition generally identifies him as the Apostle John.
beloved:
An endearing tone runs through the letter, suggesting that John and his addressee have developed a deep, spiritual friendship (2, 5, 11).
Gaius:
Several persons of this name appear elsewhere in the NT, one from Macedonia (Acts 19:29), one from Derbe (Acts 20:4), and one from Corinth (1 Cor 1:14). The individual addressed in 3 John could be one of these men, but evidence is lacking to establish such a link with certitude. Nothing certain is known of this Gaius beyond his glowing reputation for holiness (3 Jn 3) and hospitality (56). Perhaps he was a recognized Church leader or simply a wealthy believer who gave food and lodging to preachers passing through the area. 
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2 be in health:
Hellenistic letters commonly opened with a wish for good health. Gaius' spiritual health is something of which John is already confident (3). 
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4 my children:
John speaks as a spiritual father who rejoices over the good behavior of his sons and daughters (1 Jn 2:1; 2 Jn 4). 
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7 for his sake:
Literally, "for the name". Traveling preachers invite others to believe in the name of Jesus Christ (Jn 1:12).
See note on 1 Jn 3:23
.
from the heathen:
Pagans are not solicited to support the Church's ministers and missionaries, who are entitled to support from the community of believers.
See note on Lk 10:7
. 
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8 support such men:
Gaius is urged to continue welcoming traveling teachers of the faith and equipping them with the basic necessities of life (6). In this way, he will help to facilitate the spread of gospel truth throughout the region. 
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9-10
A disturbing character sketch of Diotrephes. He is
insubordinate
to John's authority, he speaks
inappropriate
words against John, he is
inhospitable
to traveling preachers, and he is
intolerant
of any member of his congregation who welcomes them. Such audacious misuse of authority is merely a symptom of Diotrephes' pride and selfish quest to be "first" (9). 
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9 I have written:
Some think this refers to 2 John. Others envision a letter of correction that John had addressed to the Church where Diotrephes held authority. It is no surprise that such a letter would not have survived, for the authority of its sender was rejected by the primary recipient. 
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11 not seen God:
The notion of "seeing" has a theological rather than literal meaning. That is, one who has come to trust and obey Christ has come to "see" the Father and his love in the Son (Jn 14:9). Conversely, the one who remains in sin lacks this perception of God (1 Jn 3:6). 
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12 I testify to him:
Demetrius appears to be the bearer of 3 John. If so, the letter also serves as a letter of recommendation for him. Many such letters were written in the ancient Church to prepare the way for traveling missionaries going from place to place (Acts 18:27; Rom 16:1-2; 2 Cor 3:1). John hopes Gaius will welcome godly men like Demetrius (3 Jn 8), whom Diotrephes turns away (10). 
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13 pen and ink:
John has additional instruction for Gaius, but he prefers to communicate it in person rather than in writing (14; cf. 1 Cor 11:34; 2 Jn 12). 
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15 The friends:
The members of John's Church, probably in Ephesus, and also the members of Gaius' Church, to whom their greetings are sent. 
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INTRODUCTION TO