3 John 1-4

3 John 1-4

The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth.  Beloved, regarding all things I pray for you to enjoy favorable circumstance and to be in good health – just as your soul also is being in favorable circumstances.  For I rejoiced exceedingly while the brothers came and while they gave witness to your truth – just as you walk in truth.  I do not have joy greater than this, in order that I hear my children while walking about in the truth.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Gaius was one of the most common names of John’s day.  So the truth is that we really don’t know who Gaius is.  There are three other Gaius mentioned in scripture.

• Gaius the Macedonian, who, along with Aristarchus, was with Paul at the riot in Ephesus (Acts 19:29)
• Gaius of Derbe, who was the delegate of his church to convey the collection for the poor to Jerusalem (Acts 20:4).
• Gaius of Corinth, who had been Paul’s host and who was such a hospitable man that he could be called the host of the whole Church (Romans 16:23), and who was one of the very few people whom Paul personally had baptized (1 Corinthians 1:14)

However, there is no need to connect any of these other Gaius to the Gaius to whom John is writing.  All we really know about Gaius is that he was likely a leader in the Christian community where he lived and that he was beloved by John.  But then again, that’s really enough.  In the end, we don’t need to know about Gaius.  What is more important than who Gaius was is that there was a bond between Gaius and John that was sustained by God.  Whoever Gaius was, he was beloved.  That is enough.

Are you beloved?  What does that mean to you?  Are you content being beloved?

Second Thought:

I love the way that John expresses concern for Gaius.  He prays for him to be in favorable circumstance and in good health.  But with assurance he says Gaius soul already is in favorable circumstances.  In other words, John shows concern first for the spiritual.  Knowing that Gaius is spiritually in a favorable circumstance, he can safely add that he hopes Gaius is good health and favor.  Here we see precedence.  Spirituality should be our focus.  Spirituality is eternal.  It takes precedence.  Once spirituality is secured, then we can add things like physical health and emotional comfort.

Is spirituality your first priority?  How can this be difficult at times?  What does it say when we are able to put spiritual security over physical and emotional need?

Third Thought:

I love John’s last sentence in this section.  On one hand it is such a parental comment.  John’s joy is born out of the obedience of his spiritual children.  He is made happy by the people who are spiritually connected to him.  There is such an element of parental love in this comment.  In addition to this, we should note what it is that brings out John’s joy.  John’s joy isn’t brought out by the reputation, their success, or their wealth.  John’s joy comes because they are seeking and walking in truth.  John’s joy comes because they are abiding with God.  The things of the world don’t matter to John.  John’s joy depends upon the spiritual connection between his spiritual children and their God.

From where does your joy come?  What do you celebrate with the spiritual people around you?

Passage for Tomorrow: 3 John 5-8