Old Testament Allusions in the Epistle of 3 John
The Epistle of 3 John contains several allusions to Old Testament themes and passages, although these are not as explicit as in some other New Testament writings. One of the primary ways in which 3 John alludes to the Old Testament is through its emphasis on the importance of hospitality and the treatment of traveling missionaries or brethren. For instance, the apostle John commends Gaius for his hospitality towards these brethren, saying, "You are faithful in whatever you accomplish for the brothers, even though they are strangers" (3 John 1:5) [3]. This echoes Old Testament injunctions to show kindness to strangers, such as in Exodus 23:2, where Israel is commanded to support the sojourner.
The theme of doing good and avoiding evil is another area where 3 John resonates with Old Testament teachings. In 3 John 1:11, John writes, "Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God" [3]. This verse has cross-references to several Old Testament passages, including Psalms 34:14 and Psalms 37:27, which exhort the reader to "turn away from evil and do good" [1]. The idea is that those who are from God will follow His ways, which include doing good.
Furthermore, the character of Diotrephes, who is rebuked by John for his refusal to acknowledge the apostle's authority and for his hostile treatment of the brethren, may be seen as embodying the opposite of the Old Testament ideal of a leader. According to Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Diotrephes "loveth... pre-eminence" and does not receive the brethren, indicating an abuse of power and a lack of hospitality [5].
The New Testament's use of Old Testament themes and motifs in 3 John highlights the continuity between the two testaments. The epistle's emphasis on love, hospitality, and doing good reflects broader biblical themes that are present throughout the Old and New Testaments. As John Gill notes, the apostle's exhortations are grounded in the character of God and the nature of the believer's relationship with Him [4].
The historical context of 3 John, likely written from Ephesus, underscores the challenges faced by early Christian communities in maintaining orthodoxy and practicing hospitality amidst diverse and sometimes hostile environments [2]. The epistle thus serves as a valuable window into the early Christian Church's struggles and triumphs, with its allusions to Old Testament teachings providing a rich theological backdrop.
The allusions to Old Testament themes in 3 John demonstrate the epistle's connection to the broader biblical narrative. By emphasizing the importance of love, hospitality, and doing good, 3 John reinforces the moral and theological framework established in the Old Testament, while also highlighting the distinctives of the Christian faith. As such, the epistle remains a vital part of the Christian canon, offering insights into the early Church's practices and theology.
Sources
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “3 John 1:11 cross-references: Exodus 23:2, Psalms 34:14, Psalms 37:27, Proverbs 12:11, Isaiah 1:16, John 3:20, John 10:27, John 12:26, 1 Corinthians 4:16, 1 Corinthians 11:1, Ephesians 5:1, Philippians 3:17, 1 Thessalonians 1:6, 1 Thessalonians 2:14, 2 Timothy 3:10, Hebrews 6:12, 1 Peter 3:11, 1 Peter 3:13, 1 John 2:29, 1 John 3:6”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: John, Third Epistle of — Is addressed to Caius, or Gaius, but whether to the Christian of that name in Macedonia (Acts 19: 29) or in Corinth (Rom. 16:23) or in Derbe (Acts 20:4) is uncertain. It was written for the purpose of commending to Gaius some Christians who were strangers in the place where he lived, and who had gone thither for the purpose of preaching the gospel (ver. 7). The Second and Third Epistles were probably written soon after the First, and from Ephesus.”
- King James Version “[KJV] 3 John 1:1 — The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.”
- 3 John (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 3 John 1 (introduction): The elder unto the well beloved Gaius,.... The elder is the writer of the epistle, the Apostle John, who so styles himself on account of his age, and office, as in the preceding epistle. The person to whom he writes is "the well beloved Gaius"; not that Gaius, who was the Apostle Paul's host, Rom 16:23, for though their characters agree, being both hospitable men, yet neither the place nor time in which they lived. The Apostle Paul's Gaius lived at Corinth, this is in some place near to Ephesus, for the apostle in his old age purposed to come and see him s”
- 3 John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 3 John 1:9: I wrote--The oldest manuscripts add "something": a communication, probably, on the subject of receiving the brethren with brotherly love (Jo3 1:8, Jo3 1:10). That Epistle was not designed by the Spirit for the universal Church, or else it would have been preserved. unto the church--of which Gaius is a member. loveth . . . pre-eminence--through ambition. Evidently occupying a high place in the Church where Gaius was (Jo3 1:10). among them--over the members of the Church. receiveth us not--virtually, namely, by not receiving with love the brethren”