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The Third Epistle of John

Book | Outline | Notes
[ Introduction | Subject ]

Verses
vv. 1 • • • 5 • • • • 10 • • • •

Introduction to 3 John:
Author: John the elder (v. 1).Time of Writing: After the second Epistle was written; see introductions to 1 and 2 John.Place of Writing: The same as the second Epistle; see introduction to 2 John.Recipient: Gaius (v. 1 and note 2).

Subject of 3 John:
Encouragement to the Fellow Workers in the Truth

Third John

Verses
vv. 1 • • • 5 • • • • 10 • • • •

I.  Introduction — vv. 1-4

A.  Loving in truthfulness — v. 1
3Jo 1 - The 1elder to 2Gaius the abeloved, whom I blove in 3ctruthfulness.
B.  Prospering in all things and in health — v. 2
3Jo 2 - Beloved, concerning 1all things I 2wish that you may 3prosper and be in 4health, even as your 5soul 3prospers.
C.  Walking in the truth — vv. 3-4
3Jo 3 - For I 1rejoiced greatly at the brothers’ coming and atestifying to 2your steadfastness in the truth, even as you 3walk in 4truth.
3Jo 4 - I have no greater joy than these things, that I hear that my achildren are walking in the btruth.

II.  Hospitality to the traveling workers — vv. 5-8

A.  Given faithfully, in love, and in a manner worthy of God — vv. 5-6
3Jo 5 - aBeloved, you do bfaithfully in 1whatever you have wrought for the brothers, and this for 2cstrangers,
3Jo 6 - Who atestified to your 1love before the 2church; whom you 3will do well to bsend forward in a manner 4cworthy of God;
B.  By the fellow workers in the truth — vv. 7-8
3Jo 7 - For on behalf of the 1aName they went out, taking nothing from the 2Gentiles.
3Jo 8 - We therefore ought to 1support such ones that we may become afellow workers in the 2truth.

III.  Imitation not of the evil but of the good — vv. 9-12

A.  The self-exalting and domineering Diotrephes—an evil pattern — vv. 9-11
3Jo 9 - I wrote something to the 1church; but 2Diotrephes, who loves 3to be afirst among them, does not 4receive us.
3Jo 10 - For this reason, if I come, I will bring to remembrance his works which he does, 1babbling against us with 2evil words; and not being satisfied with these, neither does he himself receive the brothers, and those intending to do so he forbids and acasts out of the church.
3Jo 11 - Beloved, do not aimitate the 1bevil, but the good. He who 2does cgood is 3of God; he who 4does evil has 5dnot seen God.
B.  The well-reported Demetrius—a good example — v. 12
3Jo 12 - To 1Demetrius atestimony has been borne by 2all and by the 3truth itself; and 4we also testify, and you know that our testimony is 5btrue.

IV.  Conclusion — vv. 13-14

A.  The hope for closer fellowship — vv. 13-14a
3Jo 13 - I had amany things to write to you, but I do not want to write to you with ink and pen;
3Jo 14a - But I 1ahope to see you shortly, and we will speak 2face to face.
B.  Mutual greetings — v. 14b
3Jo 14b - Peace to you. The bfriends greet you. Greet the friends by cname.
Book of 3 John
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