2025 3 John (2) Gaius, A Man Who Faithfully Walked In The Truth, Jesus Christ
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2025-03-09 16:16
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Gaius, A Man Who Faithfully Walked In The Truth, Jesus Christ
3 John
The recipient of 2 John is not named. It is just an unknown lady. On the other hand, in 3 John, there are three names. John calls their names one by one. “Before calling someone’s name, the person had been nothing but a gesture. When I called his (her) name, he (she) came to me and became a flower. Now, call my name so that I may go to them and become their flower.” Calling one’s name is important. That is why 3 John is more affectionate.
Gaius
Gaius is the recipient of 3 John. Gaius is the most common Roman name, meaning ‘joy.’
First, he seems to be sick.
Gaius might have a health issue. So John says in verse 2a, “I pray that you may enjoy good health.” Gaius was sick, but he seems to have recovered and became healthy. God seems to use the weak. Therefore, do not make excuses with human conditions saying, “I can’t because I am sick or or I am old or I don’t have a good career.” Though we may be sick or weak, we can be used preciously by God when we are anointed by His Spirit.
Second, he became joy to many.
Have you felt you are getting old? There are more sad things than happy ones. Old people easily become tired. Their muscle tones get weak. They easily lose appetite. They can’t sleep soundly. They become easily depressed.
Before you turn 40, you would be too busy to think or know what life is. But once you turn 40, you would feel that you have worked hard but there are little things in your hand and you would feel sad because few recognize your hard working life.
Young people laugh easily at even trivial things, but when you get older, you wouldn’t laugh easily. John was over 90. Would such old man have something to laugh and be joyful? Probably not much.
However, Gaius became the joy to John in his 90s. John was so happy to hear the young Gaius walked in the truth. “Gaius, just thinking about you, just hearing about you makes me so happy because you walk faithfully in the truth!”
‘A man who is faithful to the truth,’ that is really good compliment. How precious is a man who is faithful to the truth, Jesus Christ! Gaius walked faithfully in the truth, unswervingly and steadily like Noah and Enoch.
This generation emphasizes man’s feeling. They follow their feelings like people in Noah’s generation. For example, everyone man saw girls’ out appearance and they married any of them they chose. They reject the truth of marriage, God’s centered and mission centered. While Noah was building an ark by the word of God, people ridiculed Noah saying, “Look at the fool! He is building an ark even in this Sunday at the mountain. He is insane and lunatic religiously.” However, by faith, Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. He walked in the truth. What is truth? It is something everlastingly and unconditionally unchanging, that is the word of God and Jesus Christ. Jesus says, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
When people do not have the word of truth in their heart, they just live according to their feelings. They are like a house built on sand. Their life and achievements will collapse before death and God’s judgment seat. Therefore, you need to lay a foundation not in your feeling but the gospel of truth. This is Paul’s philosophy, “For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.” (2 Cor 13:8) To you, what is truth? Have you found truth, universal, unconditional and never changing thing? Do you live only for the truth?
John was so happy because Gaius walked faithfully in the truth. I feel the same way. Is there anything that gives me more joy than seeing young people walking in the truth, Jesus Christ? That is why I come to the campus every night to do Bible study with young people and pray with them. Paul says, “What is our joy in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? You are our glory and joy.” (Thessalonians 2:19-20) Gaius is such a man of truth who spreads joy to others.
Let’s not be people who bring worry or sorrow to others but people who bring joy like Gaius. How? By living in the truth of Jesus Christ. Verse 3-4 says, “It gave me great joy when some believers came and testified about your faithfulness to the truth, telling how you continue to walk in it. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”
Third, he shows hospitality to strangers.
The Bible shows compassion for the weak such as widows, orphans, the poor, and the disabled. God has blessed all those who show hospitality to strangers. When you are hospitable, God’s blessings come to you.
At that time, there were no hotels. Christians showed hospitality to the gospel workers who traveled to share the gospel by inviting them to their homes. Christians open their homes to invite believers to eat and have fellowship.
Nowadays, people hesitate to open their houses for such fellowship. But Gaius did this well. Look at verse 5. “Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers and sisters, even though they are strangers to you.” Gaius served strangers (gospel workers) at his home. Those treated well by Gaius said wherever they went, “Oh, when I went to Gaius’ house, I was treated so well that all my fatigue was gone and I was fully refreshed.” How precious it is! Gaius was such a good man. I pray that we may also open our homes to treat brothers and sisters hospitably in Jesus.
Hebrews 13:2 says, “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.” In Genesis 18, when three people (God and two angels) came to Abraham, he treated them very hospitably. Then God blessed Abraham. “You will have a son this time next year.” Indeed the most urgent need of that family was a son. When Abraham treated strangers hospitably, he received the best from the Lord.
When you welcome and treat strangers hospitably, you will receive the thing you need urgently. Your life will be full and abundant. When Lot welcomed the strangers, he was saved. On the other hand, when the people of Sodom mistreated them, they were destroyed. The standard of salvation and destruction was in hospitality.
A pastor who was appointed to be the senior pastor of a big church disguised as a homeless and went to that church to attend Sunday worship service. At the door of the church, he begged for money. But no one gave him money. Only three people greeted him. When he sat in the front row of the church just before the service, two elders came and asked him to move to the back. Later, when the time came to introduce a new pastor, the homeless came out and took off his shabby clothes. He read Matthew 25:35-37, “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in. Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in? “The Lord will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” Then the pastor added, “There are many members in our church but few disciples of Jesus.”
Jesus always comes to us sometimes in the form of gospel workers or sometime in the form of sick or weak or poor people. When we show hospitality to them Jesus will praise and reward us.
Friends, are you desperate in need? Do you want to receive good things? Then be hospitable and serve the needy in the name of Jesus.
But, what is frustrating is that though some are in church for a long time, they do not know what hospitality is. When a stranger comes to church for the first time or church brothers and sisters come, they do not greet them. Some people do not talk at all but just look at their phones. They do not know what grace is.
Jean Valjean was revived because of the hospitality of the priest. When he was in danger of being arrested for stealing, the priest saved Jean Valjean saying, “I gave them to him.” On the other hand, when Javert constantly mistreated Jean Valjean, he became the embodiment of hatred that he perished.
The prodigal son was changed through his father’s hospitality.
Live with the spirit of hospitality in Jesus’ name. Accept people who are different from you. Have fellowship with people who not only close to you but also with people of various types. Then you will go into deep and wide. If we live with a hospitable and welcoming spirit, growth, abundance and revival will occur to us and our church. I pray that all the members of our church may be like Gaius. Then our church will be filled with love, abundance and glory of God.
Diotrephes
Verse 9 says, “I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not welcome us.” Diotrephes likes to control over the church. He thinks that he is the head of the church and makes decisions.
There are a few descriptions about Diotrephes in Verses 9-10. He is self-willed—”loves to be first.” (9a) He is rebellious to spiritual authority. (9b) He does not welcome the elder John and others. He was afraid that John would take away his position as first. He is a slanderer—”gossiping maliciously” (10a) “Look, all the other disciples were martyred, but John is still alive. He is a coward. He has not devoted to the Lord.” He is ungracious—”refuses to welcome the brothers.” (10b) And he is an Abuser of power—”stops those who want to do so and puts them out of the church.” (10c) He did rejecting, slandering, gossiping and speaking badly of others. If there is even one person like Diotrephes, the church will be in chaos.
There should be no such person in the church of God. Verse 11 says, “Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil.” Do not be like Diotrephes. Instead do good like Gaius.
Most people are not like Diotrephes from the beginning. However, as we are in church for a long time with some accomplishments or devotion, a human ambition to become the first in church would arise. Then anyone could be like Diotrephes. We could become indifferent to others and reject others. These are the criteria to be like Diotrephes.
Talks too much—dominating every conversation. Has a critical spirit toward those who disagree with him. Thinks he could do things better than those currently in leadership. Has a rebellious attitude toward the leaders who are over him. Argues endlessly over minor details of church life.
On Jesus’ way for Jerusalem to be crucified as the Lamb of God, his disciples argued over who was the greatest. Then Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” (Mark 9:35) Jesus shows us that all value comes from carrying the cross, sacrificing and serving. Then the power of resurrection is present.
Paul had a lot of ambition to exalt himself and become first. However, when he met Jesus, his value was changed. He found meaning of life in the cross of Jesus. He found humbleness in the cross of Jesus. He was transformed. Then he was willing to lose everything and considered all as dung in order to gain Christ (Philippians 3:8). He exalted only Jesus. (Colossians 2:3). He admonished Christians in every church with tears (Acts 20:31). When he followed Jesus taking up his own cross, he exerted a good influence on many that they turned to the Lord.
Here is a church with joy and growth in faith and number. Then there must be some who sacrificially and humbly pray and serve others like Gaius. There must be some who know how to bear the cross. I pray that we may become such people.
Look at verse 11. “Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good.” This should be our confession and decision, “I want to accept and serve others for Jesus. I like sacrifice.” May God bless you to live like this.
Demetrius
Demetrius means ‘belonging to Demeter,’ the Greek goddess of agriculture. He was a Gentile and seems to be a new believer. Still he was well recognized.
Look at verse 12. 13. “Demetrius is well spoken of by everyone—and even by the truth itself. We also speak well of him.” Demetrius was recognized by church people, truth (God) and elders like John. He was a man of faith though he was a new believer. They say that a new believer would be hesitant to participate in the ministry of God actively. It is easy to think that maybe Sunday worship service is enough to a new believer. However, Demetrius must have been very sincere and active that the three parts, God, the congregation and elders all spoke him well. Not only did he attend Sunday worship service faithfully, he must have joined prayer meeting and participated in gospel work. The church that has such believer is really blessed. In order for the church to grow, there must be many new believers. So, our church hopes to have many new believers.
Do you think you are a new believer? I pray that God may bless you to become like Demetrius. As soon as he believed in Jesus, Demetrius was faithful and devoted to the Lord from the beginning.
The Bible says that the first will be last, and the last will be first. There is such a reversal in the church. Then those who are lukewarm will be awake saying, “What is this? They are more faithful, devoted and joyful than me. I would lose the blessings and rewards from the Lord.” When there are a few new believers like Demetrius in a church, the fire of the Holy Spirit will be kindled and the church will grow.
Verse 14 is the last greetings. “I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face.” If you love someone, would you meet that person by zoom? Would you like to date your lover only through zoom? I believe you and I want to meet our loving people face to face. That's why I like worship service and Bible study in person. We could save time if we use zoom. However, seeing each other is love and power.
May God bless you to walk faithfully in the truth, Jesus with the spirit of hospitality.
3 John
The recipient of 2 John is not named. It is just an unknown lady. On the other hand, in 3 John, there are three names. John calls their names one by one. “Before calling someone’s name, the person had been nothing but a gesture. When I called his (her) name, he (she) came to me and became a flower. Now, call my name so that I may go to them and become their flower.” Calling one’s name is important. That is why 3 John is more affectionate.
Gaius
Gaius is the recipient of 3 John. Gaius is the most common Roman name, meaning ‘joy.’
First, he seems to be sick.
Gaius might have a health issue. So John says in verse 2a, “I pray that you may enjoy good health.” Gaius was sick, but he seems to have recovered and became healthy. God seems to use the weak. Therefore, do not make excuses with human conditions saying, “I can’t because I am sick or or I am old or I don’t have a good career.” Though we may be sick or weak, we can be used preciously by God when we are anointed by His Spirit.
Second, he became joy to many.
Have you felt you are getting old? There are more sad things than happy ones. Old people easily become tired. Their muscle tones get weak. They easily lose appetite. They can’t sleep soundly. They become easily depressed.
Before you turn 40, you would be too busy to think or know what life is. But once you turn 40, you would feel that you have worked hard but there are little things in your hand and you would feel sad because few recognize your hard working life.
Young people laugh easily at even trivial things, but when you get older, you wouldn’t laugh easily. John was over 90. Would such old man have something to laugh and be joyful? Probably not much.
However, Gaius became the joy to John in his 90s. John was so happy to hear the young Gaius walked in the truth. “Gaius, just thinking about you, just hearing about you makes me so happy because you walk faithfully in the truth!”
‘A man who is faithful to the truth,’ that is really good compliment. How precious is a man who is faithful to the truth, Jesus Christ! Gaius walked faithfully in the truth, unswervingly and steadily like Noah and Enoch.
This generation emphasizes man’s feeling. They follow their feelings like people in Noah’s generation. For example, everyone man saw girls’ out appearance and they married any of them they chose. They reject the truth of marriage, God’s centered and mission centered. While Noah was building an ark by the word of God, people ridiculed Noah saying, “Look at the fool! He is building an ark even in this Sunday at the mountain. He is insane and lunatic religiously.” However, by faith, Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. He walked in the truth. What is truth? It is something everlastingly and unconditionally unchanging, that is the word of God and Jesus Christ. Jesus says, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
When people do not have the word of truth in their heart, they just live according to their feelings. They are like a house built on sand. Their life and achievements will collapse before death and God’s judgment seat. Therefore, you need to lay a foundation not in your feeling but the gospel of truth. This is Paul’s philosophy, “For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.” (2 Cor 13:8) To you, what is truth? Have you found truth, universal, unconditional and never changing thing? Do you live only for the truth?
John was so happy because Gaius walked faithfully in the truth. I feel the same way. Is there anything that gives me more joy than seeing young people walking in the truth, Jesus Christ? That is why I come to the campus every night to do Bible study with young people and pray with them. Paul says, “What is our joy in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? You are our glory and joy.” (Thessalonians 2:19-20) Gaius is such a man of truth who spreads joy to others.
Let’s not be people who bring worry or sorrow to others but people who bring joy like Gaius. How? By living in the truth of Jesus Christ. Verse 3-4 says, “It gave me great joy when some believers came and testified about your faithfulness to the truth, telling how you continue to walk in it. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”
Third, he shows hospitality to strangers.
The Bible shows compassion for the weak such as widows, orphans, the poor, and the disabled. God has blessed all those who show hospitality to strangers. When you are hospitable, God’s blessings come to you.
At that time, there were no hotels. Christians showed hospitality to the gospel workers who traveled to share the gospel by inviting them to their homes. Christians open their homes to invite believers to eat and have fellowship.
Nowadays, people hesitate to open their houses for such fellowship. But Gaius did this well. Look at verse 5. “Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers and sisters, even though they are strangers to you.” Gaius served strangers (gospel workers) at his home. Those treated well by Gaius said wherever they went, “Oh, when I went to Gaius’ house, I was treated so well that all my fatigue was gone and I was fully refreshed.” How precious it is! Gaius was such a good man. I pray that we may also open our homes to treat brothers and sisters hospitably in Jesus.
Hebrews 13:2 says, “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.” In Genesis 18, when three people (God and two angels) came to Abraham, he treated them very hospitably. Then God blessed Abraham. “You will have a son this time next year.” Indeed the most urgent need of that family was a son. When Abraham treated strangers hospitably, he received the best from the Lord.
When you welcome and treat strangers hospitably, you will receive the thing you need urgently. Your life will be full and abundant. When Lot welcomed the strangers, he was saved. On the other hand, when the people of Sodom mistreated them, they were destroyed. The standard of salvation and destruction was in hospitality.
A pastor who was appointed to be the senior pastor of a big church disguised as a homeless and went to that church to attend Sunday worship service. At the door of the church, he begged for money. But no one gave him money. Only three people greeted him. When he sat in the front row of the church just before the service, two elders came and asked him to move to the back. Later, when the time came to introduce a new pastor, the homeless came out and took off his shabby clothes. He read Matthew 25:35-37, “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in. Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in? “The Lord will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” Then the pastor added, “There are many members in our church but few disciples of Jesus.”
Jesus always comes to us sometimes in the form of gospel workers or sometime in the form of sick or weak or poor people. When we show hospitality to them Jesus will praise and reward us.
Friends, are you desperate in need? Do you want to receive good things? Then be hospitable and serve the needy in the name of Jesus.
But, what is frustrating is that though some are in church for a long time, they do not know what hospitality is. When a stranger comes to church for the first time or church brothers and sisters come, they do not greet them. Some people do not talk at all but just look at their phones. They do not know what grace is.
Jean Valjean was revived because of the hospitality of the priest. When he was in danger of being arrested for stealing, the priest saved Jean Valjean saying, “I gave them to him.” On the other hand, when Javert constantly mistreated Jean Valjean, he became the embodiment of hatred that he perished.
The prodigal son was changed through his father’s hospitality.
Live with the spirit of hospitality in Jesus’ name. Accept people who are different from you. Have fellowship with people who not only close to you but also with people of various types. Then you will go into deep and wide. If we live with a hospitable and welcoming spirit, growth, abundance and revival will occur to us and our church. I pray that all the members of our church may be like Gaius. Then our church will be filled with love, abundance and glory of God.
Diotrephes
Verse 9 says, “I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not welcome us.” Diotrephes likes to control over the church. He thinks that he is the head of the church and makes decisions.
There are a few descriptions about Diotrephes in Verses 9-10. He is self-willed—”loves to be first.” (9a) He is rebellious to spiritual authority. (9b) He does not welcome the elder John and others. He was afraid that John would take away his position as first. He is a slanderer—”gossiping maliciously” (10a) “Look, all the other disciples were martyred, but John is still alive. He is a coward. He has not devoted to the Lord.” He is ungracious—”refuses to welcome the brothers.” (10b) And he is an Abuser of power—”stops those who want to do so and puts them out of the church.” (10c) He did rejecting, slandering, gossiping and speaking badly of others. If there is even one person like Diotrephes, the church will be in chaos.
There should be no such person in the church of God. Verse 11 says, “Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil.” Do not be like Diotrephes. Instead do good like Gaius.
Most people are not like Diotrephes from the beginning. However, as we are in church for a long time with some accomplishments or devotion, a human ambition to become the first in church would arise. Then anyone could be like Diotrephes. We could become indifferent to others and reject others. These are the criteria to be like Diotrephes.
Talks too much—dominating every conversation. Has a critical spirit toward those who disagree with him. Thinks he could do things better than those currently in leadership. Has a rebellious attitude toward the leaders who are over him. Argues endlessly over minor details of church life.
On Jesus’ way for Jerusalem to be crucified as the Lamb of God, his disciples argued over who was the greatest. Then Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” (Mark 9:35) Jesus shows us that all value comes from carrying the cross, sacrificing and serving. Then the power of resurrection is present.
Paul had a lot of ambition to exalt himself and become first. However, when he met Jesus, his value was changed. He found meaning of life in the cross of Jesus. He found humbleness in the cross of Jesus. He was transformed. Then he was willing to lose everything and considered all as dung in order to gain Christ (Philippians 3:8). He exalted only Jesus. (Colossians 2:3). He admonished Christians in every church with tears (Acts 20:31). When he followed Jesus taking up his own cross, he exerted a good influence on many that they turned to the Lord.
Here is a church with joy and growth in faith and number. Then there must be some who sacrificially and humbly pray and serve others like Gaius. There must be some who know how to bear the cross. I pray that we may become such people.
Look at verse 11. “Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good.” This should be our confession and decision, “I want to accept and serve others for Jesus. I like sacrifice.” May God bless you to live like this.
Demetrius
Demetrius means ‘belonging to Demeter,’ the Greek goddess of agriculture. He was a Gentile and seems to be a new believer. Still he was well recognized.
Look at verse 12. 13. “Demetrius is well spoken of by everyone—and even by the truth itself. We also speak well of him.” Demetrius was recognized by church people, truth (God) and elders like John. He was a man of faith though he was a new believer. They say that a new believer would be hesitant to participate in the ministry of God actively. It is easy to think that maybe Sunday worship service is enough to a new believer. However, Demetrius must have been very sincere and active that the three parts, God, the congregation and elders all spoke him well. Not only did he attend Sunday worship service faithfully, he must have joined prayer meeting and participated in gospel work. The church that has such believer is really blessed. In order for the church to grow, there must be many new believers. So, our church hopes to have many new believers.
Do you think you are a new believer? I pray that God may bless you to become like Demetrius. As soon as he believed in Jesus, Demetrius was faithful and devoted to the Lord from the beginning.
The Bible says that the first will be last, and the last will be first. There is such a reversal in the church. Then those who are lukewarm will be awake saying, “What is this? They are more faithful, devoted and joyful than me. I would lose the blessings and rewards from the Lord.” When there are a few new believers like Demetrius in a church, the fire of the Holy Spirit will be kindled and the church will grow.
Verse 14 is the last greetings. “I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face.” If you love someone, would you meet that person by zoom? Would you like to date your lover only through zoom? I believe you and I want to meet our loving people face to face. That's why I like worship service and Bible study in person. We could save time if we use zoom. However, seeing each other is love and power.
May God bless you to walk faithfully in the truth, Jesus with the spirit of hospitality.