Grit & Grace: 1 & 2 Peter + 1, 2 & 3 JohnÖrnek

Third John is a personal letter that revolves around three individuals: Gaius, the recipient of the letter, Diotrephes, the one causing trouble, and Demetrius, who was probably the bearer of the letter. The purpose was to give a word of exhortation to Gaius and encourage him not to imitate the bad example of Diotrephes. Instead, Gaius was to continue the good work he was doing in receiving and supporting the traveling teachers or missionaries.

This brief letter underscores central Christian convictions and testifies to the God-centeredness of the Christian faith. Jesus and the Spirit are not mentioned specifically, but in the writer’s view, Jesus and the Spirit were undoubtedly included in the reference to “God” whose “truth” this letter appeals to so frequently.