John (the Elder Apostle)
Category: Endurance in guiding truth & love
Could avoid: Stay silent in old age.
“The elder, to my dear friend Gaius, whom I love in the truth.” (3 John 1:1)
Cross-Refs: 2 John 1; John 21:20–24.
Chose: Encouraged believers to walk in truth and show hospitality.
“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” (3 John 1:4)
Cross-Refs: 2 John 4; Philippians 4:1.
Endured: False leaders resisting his authority.
“I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not welcome us.” (3 John 1:9)
Cross-Refs: Acts 20:29–30; Matthew 20:26.
Why: To preserve the testimony of truth.
“Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good.” (3 John 1:11)
Cross-Refs: Hebrews 6:12; 1 Corinthians 11:1.
Result: Strengthened the faithful with encouragement and correction.
“Peace to you. The friends here send their greetings.” (3 John 1:15)
Cross-Refs: Colossians 3:15; Philippians 4:7.
Gaius (Faithful Believer)
Category: Endurance in hospitality & support of mission
Could avoid: Refuse to host traveling teachers due to risk.
“Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers and sisters, even though they are strangers to you.” (3 John 1:5)
Cross-Refs: Hebrews 13:2; Matthew 25:35.
Chose: Showed hospitality and supported missionaries.
“They have told the church about your love. Please send them on their way in a manner that honors God.” (3 John 1:6)
Cross-Refs: Romans 12:13; Titus 3:13–14.
Endured: Burden of hosting, possible conflict with Diotrephes.
“We ought therefore to show hospitality to such people so that we may work together for the truth.” (3 John 1:8)
Cross-Refs: Philippians 4:14–17; Galatians 6:9–10.
Why: Missionaries had gone out “for the sake of the Name.”
“It was for the sake of the Name that they went out, receiving no help from the pagans.” (3 John 1:7)
Cross-Refs: Acts 5:41; Colossians 3:17.
Result: Became a co-worker in the truth.
“We ought therefore to show hospitality to such people so that we may work together for the truth.” (3 John 1:8)
Cross-Refs: 1 Corinthians 3:9; 2 Corinthians 6:1.
Diotrephes (Negative Example)
Category: Failure of endurance in humility & truth
Could avoid: Submit to apostolic authority, love others.
“Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not welcome us.” (3 John 1:9)
Cross-Refs: 1 Peter 5:3; Matthew 23:5–7.
Chose (wrongly): Rejected John’s authority, spread malicious talk.
“He even refuses to welcome other believers. He also stops those who want to do so and puts them out of the church.” (3 John 1:10)
Cross-Refs: Titus 3:10; Jude 12.
Endured: Pride, opposition to truth, division.
“Do not imitate what is evil but what is good.” (3 John 1:11)
Cross-Refs: Proverbs 16:18; James 3:16.
Why (wrongly): Loved preeminence rather than Christ’s glory.
“Who loves to be first.” (3 John 1:9)
Cross-Refs: 3 John 1:11; Matthew 6:1.
Result: Exposed and condemned as an example of evil.
“Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.” (3 John 1:11)
Cross-Refs: Matthew 7:23; 2 John 9.
Demetrius (Good Example)
Category: Endurance in truth & good testimony
Could avoid: Keep quiet, live for himself.
“Demetrius is well spoken of by everyone—and even by the truth itself.” (3 John 1:12a)
Cross-Refs: Proverbs 22:1; Acts 16:2.
Chose: Live faithfully in truth.
“We also speak well of him, and you know that our testimony is true.” (3 John 1:12b)
Cross-Refs: Philippians 2:22; Matthew 5:16.
Endured: Pressures of leadership, maintaining good reputation.
“Well spoken of by everyone.” (3 John 1:12)
Cross-Refs: 1 Timothy 3:7; Hebrews 11:2.
Why: To glorify Christ through his conduct.
“…and even by the truth itself.” (3 John 1:12)
Cross-Refs: John 17:17; Colossians 3:17.
Result: Stood as a model of faithfulness.
“You know that our testimony is true.” (3 John 1:12)
Cross-Refs: Philippians 3:17; Hebrews 13:7.
Christian Endurance (Theological Theme)
Category: Endurance in truth, love & discernment
Could avoid: Be passive, tolerate evil leadership.
“Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good.” (3 John 1:11a)
Cross-Refs: Ephesians 5:1; Hebrews 6:12.
Chose: Walk in truth and support God’s workers.
“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” (3 John 1:4)
Cross-Refs: John 8:31–32; Colossians 2:6–7.
Endured: Division, opposition, false leaders.
“We ought therefore to show hospitality to such people so that we may work together for the truth.” (3 John 1:8)
Cross-Refs: Galatians 6:9–10; Hebrews 13:1–2.
Why: To glorify Christ and preserve unity in truth.
“It was for the sake of the Name that they went out.” (3 John 1:7)
Cross-Refs: Acts 5:41; Philippians 1:27.
Result: Rewarded as co-workers in God’s mission.
“We may work together for the truth.” (3 John 1:8)
Cross-Refs: 1 Corinthians 3:9; Matthew 25:21.