3 John 1: Walking in the Truth
John commends Gaius for his faithful hospitality, rebukes the proud Diotrephes, praises Demetrius, and calls believers to imitate what is good.
3 John 1 (WEB)
1 The elder to Gaius the beloved, whom I love in truth.
2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be healthy, even as your soul prospers.
3 For I rejoiced greatly, when brothers came and testified about your truth, even as you walk in truth.
4 I have no greater joy than this, to hear about my children walking in truth.
5 Beloved, you do a faithful work in whatever you accomplish for those who are brothers and strangers.
6 They have testified about your love before the assembly. You will do well to send them forward on their journey in a way worthy of God,
7 because for the sake of the Name they went out, taking nothing from the Gentiles.
8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.
9 I wrote to the assembly, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, doesn’t accept what we say.
10 Therefore if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words. Not content with this, neither does he himself receive the brothers, and those who would, he forbids and throws out of the assembly.
11 Beloved, don’t imitate that which is evil, but that which is good. He who does good is of God. He who does evil hasn’t seen God.
12 Demetrius has the testimony of all, and of the truth itself; yes, we also testify, and you know that our testimony is true.
13 I had many things to write to you, but I am unwilling to write to you with ink and pen;
14 but I hope to see you soon, and we will speak face to face. Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.
3 John 1 (KJV)
1 The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.
2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
3 For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.
4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
5 Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;
6 Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well:
7 Because that for his name’s sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.
8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.
9 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.
10 Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.
11 Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.
12 Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true.
13 I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee:
14 But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name.
3 John 1 (ASV)
1 The elder unto Gaius the beloved, whom I love in truth.
2 Beloved, I pray that in all things thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
3 For I rejoiced greatly, when brethren came and bare witness unto thy truth, even as thou walkest in truth.
4 Greater joy have I none than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.
5 Beloved, thou doest a faithful work in whatsoever thou doest toward them that are brethren and strangers withal;
6 who bare witness to thy love before the church: whom thou wilt do well to set forward on their journey worthily of God:
7 because that for the sake of the Name they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.
8 We therefore ought to welcome such, that we may be fellow-workers for the truth.
9 I wrote somewhat unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.
10 Therefore, if I come, I will bring to remembrance his works which he doeth, prating against us with wicked words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and them that would he forbiddeth and casteth them out of the church.
11 Beloved, imitate not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: he that doeth evil hath not seen God.
12 Demetrius hath the witness of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, we also bear witness; and thou knowest that our witness is true.
13 I had many things to write unto thee, but I am unwilling to write them to thee with ink and pen:
14 but I hope shortly to see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be unto thee. The friends salute thee. Salute the friends by name.
Summary
The elder John writes a brief, affectionate letter to Gaius, a beloved friend, praying that he may prosper and be healthy even as his soul prospers. John has been overjoyed by reports from traveling brothers who testified to Gaius's truth, for he has no greater joy than to hear his spiritual children walking in the truth. He commends Gaius for the faithful work he does in caring for brothers and even strangers, urging him to send them onward in a way worthy of God, since they went out for the sake of the Name and accepted nothing from the Gentiles. To support such workers, John explains, is to become a fellow worker for the truth. Then the tone darkens: John names Diotrephes, who loves to be first, refuses to accept John's word, slanders him with wicked words, will not receive the brothers, and even throws out of the church those who would. Against this, John urges Gaius not to imitate what is evil but what is good, for the one who does good is of God. He commends Demetrius, who has the testimony of all and of the truth itself, and closes by hoping to come soon and speak face to face, sending peace and greetings to the friends.
Main Characters
- John the elder — The aged apostle who writes with fatherly affection, rejoices over those walking in truth, commends faithful hospitality, and confronts pride with quiet authority.
- Gaius — John's beloved friend, walking in the truth, who faithfully welcomes traveling brothers and strangers and is commended for his love before the assembly.
- Diotrephes — A man who loves to be first, rejects John's word, slanders him with wicked words, refuses the brothers, and expels those who would receive them.
- Demetrius — A man of good reputation held up as an example, who has the testimony of all, of the truth itself, and of John.
Key Verse
3 John 1:11 (WEB)
Beloved, don’t imitate that which is evil, but that which is good. He who does good is of God. He who does evil hasn’t seen God.
Lessons Learned
- Genuine faith shows itself in walking in the truth, which brings deep joy to those who love us.
- Hospitality and support for gospel workers are faithful works that make us partners in the truth.
- Pride and the love of being first can wound a church and shut out those Christ welcomes.
- We are to imitate what is good, for doing good reveals that we belong to God.
- A consistent, faithful life earns a true testimony that speaks for itself.
- Soul-prosperity is the truest health. John prays Gaius would prosper “even as your soul prospers” (3 John 1:2, WEB), making spiritual well-being the measure of every other blessing.
- Faithful hospitality is real ministry. Gaius does “a faithful work” for brothers and strangers (3 John 1:5, WEB). Receiving and sending gospel workers advances the mission as truly as preaching does.
- Pride refuses what love would welcome. Diotrephes “loves to be first” and so will not “receive the brothers” (3 John 1:9-10, WEB). A heart set on preeminence ends up excluding people Christ would embrace.
- What we imitate reveals whose we are. “He who does good is of God. He who does evil hasn’t seen God” (3 John 1:11, WEB). Our chosen patterns expose the true state of our hearts.
- Character builds a trustworthy name. Demetrius “has the testimony of all, and of the truth itself” (3 John 1:12, WEB). A faithful life earns a reputation that needs no self-promotion.
- John prays that Gaius would prosper and be healthy “even as your soul prospers” (1:2). How does this reorder the way we usually think about blessing and success?
- What does Gaius's care for brothers and strangers teach us about the place of hospitality in the life of the church?
- How does Diotrephes's love of being first lead him into slander and exclusion, and what warning is there for us?
- What does it mean that the one who does good is “of God” while the one who does evil “hasn’t seen God” (1:11)?
- Whose example of doing good could you imitate, and is there any pride or self-importance God may be inviting you to lay down?
- John assumes the soul's health is the true standard and prays the rest would match it (1:2). Help the group see how easily we invert this, chasing outward prosperity while neglecting the inner life. A flourishing soul reframes what we ask God for and how we measure a good life.
- Gaius welcomes both brothers and strangers, doing “a faithful work” that John praises before the church (1:5-6). In a world without inns or agencies, open homes carried the gospel forward. Encourage members to see ordinary hospitality and support as genuine, frontline ministry.
- Loving to be first, Diotrephes rejects John, spreads wicked words, refuses the brothers, and expels those who welcome them (1:9-10). Pride hardens into control and cruelty. Invite the group to watch for how a craving for status can quietly justify shutting others out.
- John ties doing good to having truly “seen God” (1:11): grace that has genuinely touched us bears the fruit of goodness. This is not earning salvation but evidence of it. Discuss how a transformed heart naturally turns toward good rather than evil.
- This is a personal-application question. As leader, invite members to name one person whose goodness they admire and could imitate, and to consider gently whether any desire to be first needs surrendering. Keep the tone warm, resting in the God who makes us into people who do good.