Before reading this commentary, I encourage you to first read the text of 3 john.

Verse 1

The salutation. Notice that John, once again, begins to focus this correspondence on truth.

Verses 2-3

Gaius’s soul prospers. John is praying that his physical health may also prosper, just as his soul does. That’s an eye-opening prayer. Many times, have we gone to prayer meetings, small groups and Bible studies and prayed for someone’s health, but how often do we pray that someone’s soul would prosper? But what does that mean exactly? Verse three tells us; Gaius’s devotion to the truth in which he walks.

In modern American culture truth is largely considered subjective. Subjective means to be based on personal feelings, or opinions. However, let’s recall that after Jesus was risen from the grave, he went to his disciples and made the following statement:

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.” (Matthew 28:18a)

Why was all authority given to Jesus? Because he conquered death and did so on your behalf.

This same person who now has all authority, also said: A time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for the Father is seeking such as these to worship Him. God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship Him in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:23-24)

Put simply, we can not worship God by means of falsehoods. There are truths in this world that are absolute and unchanging. God and his word are an unchanging truth. Someday the planet earth will come to its end, but the truth of God’s word will continue to remain. This means that there is no foundation stronger than God’s word. Bricks seem like a very strong foundation. There is a street in our town paved with bricks, it’s been there for more than 100 years and is still in use. Yet, just like the earth, every brick ever made will someday come to its end, yet the word of God will remain.

If you chose to accept that the word of God is the foundational truth upon which you will base your life, your soul will prosper forever and ever. You will never die. You will have relationship with Jesus Christ forever in joy, peace, contentment and fulfillment.

Anyone who claims that word of God is outdated, speaks from ignorance. Anyone who criticizes the word of God lacks wisdom.

Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith, without doubting, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. James 1:5-8)

Verse 4

John mentions his children. This is not referring to his offspring, rather it’s referring to those that he brought into the faith. Those that were born-again as a direct result of him sharing the gospel. John is referring to them as his “children”.

Verses 5-8

Background: Some missionaries went out, perhaps from John’s location, and went to where Gaius is located. He received them with love and he helped them. Verse eight says specifically that we ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers for the truth.

There are two ways to spread the gospel. The first is to go yourself and either be a missionary, or go around your own town, praying for opportunities, and finding them, to speak with people about their need for Jesus.

The second way in which you can spread the gospel is to support those who go out and share the gospel with others face to face. Did you know that in war, for each soldier on the front lines fighting, there are 10 people in supportive roles helping him. These include logistical, administrative, and many other supportive roles.

Most Christians never share their faith with anyone. This is probably because of a fear of rejection or out of concern they don’t have enough knowledge and won’t be able to answer tough questions. Whichever the case, it’s not a reason to simply abandon the great commission.

If you feel that you’re not good at sharing your faith with others face to face, then pray for, and seek out, opportunities to be in supportive roles where you can help those who are able and willing to go out into the world and share the good news of Jesus with others face to face.

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest.” (Matthew 9:37-38)

This could mean giving money to a missionary. The church you attend already has several missionaries they support; you can add to that support. Did you know that most missionaries have to leave the mission field because they run out of money? It’s true.

This could also mean supporting or volunteering at a ministry. There are many Christian organizations that perform various tasks related to spreading the gospel. Here are some examples:

Voice of the Martyrs (VOM) – A ministry dedicated to serving persecuted Christians worldwide by providing practical aid, Bibles, and advocacy for those suffering for their faith.

Samaritan’s Purse – Is a humanitarian aid organization provides disaster relief, medical care, and evangelistic outreach globally. They also run Operation Christmas Child, which distributes shoebox gifts to children in need.

Wycliffe Bible Translators – Focuses on translating the Bible into languages that do not yet have Scripture, helping people access God’s Word in their native tongue.

Compassion International – A child sponsorship ministry that helps release children from poverty through education, healthcare, and spiritual development in the name of Jesus.

One for Israel – A ministry dedicated to sharing the Gospel with Jewish people in Israel and around the world. They focus on evangelism, discipleship, and Bible teaching, using digital media, apologetics, and theological education to reach both Jews and Arabs with the message of Jesus (Yeshua) as the Messiah.

Again, as stated previously, there are perhaps 10 supporting roles for every front-line soldier. Can you imagine, volunteering your time to support a ministry by doing important work to help spread the gospel around the world, yet never leaving the comfort of your home office?

This of course should be done through diligent prayer. And don’t discount sharing the gospel face to face. Even if you did volunteer your time in a supportive role, don’t be shy towards the person who asks you what you do for living. Tell him what your job is but then quickly add that you also volunteer for a Christian organization that works to spread the gospel. That in turn will probably lead to a conversation.

Whether you yourself are sharing the gospel or are helping others to share the gospel, you are being faithful to the great commission.

Here in 3 John, Gaius was being faithful in that he was helping missionaries. He may have been giving them room and board, a meal to eat, or financial support. John says that by supporting missionaries and those who are actively spreading the gospel, we are coworkers with them.

Verses 9-11

John then offers a counter-example in the form of a person named Diotrephes. This individual would not welcome the missionaries and he forbid anyone else from welcoming them, even going so far as to kick some people out of the church for wanting simply to support the missionaries. John labels this man as evil. Someone who thinks only of himself.

Verse 12

Demetrius, however, received a good testimony. He, like Gaius, was working to support the truth of God’s word and of the spreading of the gospel.

Verses 13-14

John concludes his letter with a farewell and tells the recipients that he hopes to speak with them face to face.