Purpose of Third John in Preventing Errant Influence
The Third Epistle of John addresses the critical issue of preventing errant influence within the early Christian community, primarily through the actions of a figure named Diotrephes. John writes to Gaius, commending him for his faithfulness and hospitality, especially towards traveling missionaries, and contrasting his conduct with that of Diotrephes [1, 4].
Diotrephes is depicted as someone who "loves to be first" among them and refuses to acknowledge John's authority [1]. He actively rejects John's letters and spreads malicious words against the apostle. Furthermore, Diotrephes not only refuses to show hospitality to missionaries himself but also prevents others from doing so and even casts them out of the church for their willingness to support these traveling believers [1]. This behavior directly contradicts the emphasis on "knowing and following the truth" that John champions, as seen in his other epistles [4].
John's purpose in writing is to confront this disruptive influence directly. He warns that he will address Diotrephes's behavior when he visits, indicating a commitment to maintaining order and sound doctrine within the churches under his care [1]. The apostle urges Gaius and other believers not to imitate Diotrephes's evil example but instead to emulate what is good, stating that "whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God" [1]. This distinction highlights the moral and spiritual implications of Diotrephes's actions, framing them as contrary to a true understanding of God.
The epistle thus serves as a pastoral intervention against specific individuals who undermine apostolic authority and disrupt the fellowship and mission of the church. It underscores the importance of hospitality, particularly towards those who are "going out for the sake of the Name" (3 John 1:7), and condemns those who hinder such efforts [1]. This concern for proper conduct and adherence to truth is a recurring theme in John's writings, where he often exhorts believers to a holy life and brotherly love [2]. The emphasis on truth and good conduct stands in stark contrast to the "malignant or vicious detraction" that can injure a neighbor's good name, a concept that John Calvin also addressed in the context of the commandments [3].
The situation with Diotrephes illustrates a challenge faced by early Christian communities: the emergence of leaders who prioritize personal preeminence over the unity and mission of the church. John's response demonstrates the apostolic concern for maintaining doctrinal purity and communal harmony, even when confronting powerful local figures. The epistle implicitly teaches that true leadership involves serving and supporting the spread of the gospel, rather than seeking personal control or slandering those who uphold apostolic teaching [1].
Sources
- 3 John (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 3 John 1:9: I. Diotrephes, unlike Gaius, loved preeminence and refused apostolic authority, spreading malicious words. He did not accept John’s letter and discouraged others from showing hospitality, casting them out of the church. John warns that he will address this behavior when he visits. II. John cautions against following Diotrephes’ evil example and encourages believers to imitate what is good, for those who do good are of God, while those who do evil have not seen God.”
- 1 John (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 John 3 (introduction): INTRODUCTION TO 1 JOHN 3 In this chapter the apostle exhorts to a holy life and conversation in general, and to the exercise of brotherly love in particular. The former of these is urged from the consideration of the great blessing of adoption, which springs from the free love and favour of God, is unknown to the men of the world, and indeed, in the present state of things, does not appear to the saints themselves in all its fulness and advantages, as it will do in the future state, when the children of God will be like to Christ, and see him as he is; t”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 44: doubt, that as in the previous commandment he prohibited cruelty unchastity, and avarice, so here he prohibits falsehood, which consists of the two parts to which we have adverted. By malignant or vicious detraction, we sin against our neighbour’s good name: by lying, sometimes even by casting a slur upon him, we injure him in his estate. It makes no difference whether you suppose that formal and judicial testimony is here intended, or the ordinary testimony which is given in private conversation. For we must always recur to the co”
- 3 John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 3 John 1:4: 1:4 As in 2 John (see 2 Jn 1:1-4), John’s emphasis is on knowing and following the truth in contrast to Diotrephes and his followers (3 Jn 1:9).”