Religions - Bible Quiz - III John (Answers)
The twentieth, and penultimate, of the Epistles is III John. It was written by Jesus' disciple sometime around 95 AD, most likely in Ephesus, a Greek city in modern day Turkey.
The letter talks about friendship and hospitality amongst Christians. At the time there were many itinerant preachers, whose mission was to travel the land, founding new churches and strengthening ones already established. These missionaries relied on their fellow believers' charity whilst on their travels, and III John tells Christians how they should treat them; and how they should not.
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Gaius' soul is in perfect health and John wishes for the same blessing to be given to his body.
III John 1:2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth" |
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III John 1:3
"For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth" The "brethren" are "brothers," or fellow Christians |
The knowledge that the members of his churches are living as they should in Christ is a joy for John.
III John 1:4 "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth" |
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The travelling missionaries have no food, money or shelter and rely on people like Gaius for help.
III John 1:5-8 "Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers; 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: because that for his name’s sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles. We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth" |
Diotrephes is proud and refuses to accept John's authority over him.
III John 1:9 "I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not" |
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As well as this, Diotrephes has been slandering and insulting his fellow Christians.
III John 1:10 "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" |
It is thought that Demetrius was a travelling missionary and that III John is partly a letter of reference for him.
III John 1:11-12 "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. 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" |
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The letter is very brief. John has much more to say, but would prefer to say it in person when the two men next meet.
III John 1:13-14 "I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee: 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" |
Given that the letter was a personal one between friends, this is not surprising. The length of the letter is also limiting.
Jesus is referred to in the words "for his name’s sake" (verse 7) and the two men would have known exactly who they were talking about |
III John 1:1
"The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth"