“Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God.”
3 John 1:11
Summary
The Book of 3 John is a personal letter from the Apostle John to a man named Gaius. In this chapter, John commends Gaius for his faithfulness and hospitality towards fellow believers, especially those who travel to spread the gospel. John praises Gaius for walking in truth and encourages him to continue supporting those who are carrying out God's work. This book emphasizes the importance of living out the truth and showing love through generous hospitality. John warns about Diotrephes, a leader in the church who loves to put himself first and does not acknowledge the authority of John and his companions. Diotrephes is accused of refusing to welcome believers and even putting others out of the church if they do so. This serves as a caution against leaders who pursue self-interest over the teachings of Christ. John concludes by recommending Demetrius as a good example, encouraging Gaius and the readers to imitate what is good. This highlights the need to discern and emulate behavior that reflects Christ's teachings. John's closing words express his desire to visit Gaius and speak face to face, reflecting the importance of personal fellowship among believers.