It is generally agreed that the Third Epistle of John was written at about the same time as the Second Epistle while John was living at Ephesus. Like the Second, which was addressed to a Christian woman, Kyria, this one is a personal letter, its recipient being a brother in the Lord named Gaius. The identity of this Gaius is unknown; it is not likely that he can be identified with either man of that name mentioned in the New Testament. We know of Gaius of Derbe in Macedonia (Acts 19.29 and 20.4) and Gaius of Corinth (Rom.16.23 and 1 Cor.1.14) but these texts refer to a time probably forty years previous to John's epistle. Gaius was a very common name and it is more likely that the recipient of John's third epistle is otherwise quite unknown to history. There was a Gaius who was Bishop of Pergamos at about this time and it is just possible that this might be the one to whom John is writing but we really do not know. It is perhaps sufficient to appreciate the evident fact that here is a brother who was well-beloved by John and enjoyed his high esteem. "The elder unto the well-beloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth." That is how he opens his letter, and what a revealing opening it is! John was the "disciple whom Jesus loved" and his own loving disposition is proverbial. It is in little touches like this verse that we see how John retained the right to be called the "loving disciple" even into old age. It is said of him that when he was so old that he had to be carried into the meetings, and was quite unable to preach to the brethren as in past years, he used to repeat just the one exhortation "Little children, love one another". That was the end of his ministry and his service, the sum and substance of all that he had ever said or done.

"Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." The expression "above all things" is not correctly translated. It would be more accurately rendered "in all respects". We may note from this verse that John does not shrink from wishing temporal blessings of prosperity and health for his friend Gaius. It is true that he qualifies it by saying "even as thy soul prospereth"; evidently he wishes temporal and spiritual health and well-being to go hand in hand together. That surely is a sane and balanced outlook upon our position as "New Creations" having the "all-things-new" mind operating in a body which is still very much tied to and dependent upon this old world. John, for all his character of loving-mindedness, was no impractical mystic. He knew full well that the good things of this world—health, prosperity, ability, and so on—could be of great use in the service of the King of Kings, and having confidence that Gaius was so devotedly consecrated to his Lord that the possession of such blessings would by no means draw him away, John wishes for him prosperity and health, that he might be able to serve his Lord the better.

"For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth."

It would appear from the succeeding verses that some little company of brethren has gone out on a kind of tour, preaching the Gospel. Gaius was one who had received them hospitably and sent them on their way with a "God-speed". Coming to John, they had brought this good report of Gaius which so rejoiced the aged Apostle's heart. In these first four verses the expression "the truth" used with the significance that we ourselves attach to the word, occurs four times. "The Truth" was a precious thing to John, just as it should be—and usually is—to us. He has no greater joy than to receive tidings assuring him that his children, his disciples, his converts, are still walking and rejoicing in the Truth. The trials and vicissitudes and disappointments and disillusionments of a long life had not destroyed or weakened his appreciation of the Truth or his love for the Truth. Something like sixty years had passed over his head since that memorable day when he had stood upon Olivet and watched his Lord ascend into the cloud and disappear from sight, but that long lapse of time had not shaken his faith nor replaced zeal by apathy. He was as sure and certain as at the beginning and just as eager to bring new converts into the fold of the Church. "I have no greater joy". Happy are we if we can say the same thing and feel that notwithstanding all we have experienced in life's journey, despite all the failures and disappointments, we are as convinced and enthusiastic as ever we were in those halcyon days, so far away now, when "the Truth" was a new and precious thing to us.

"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 remember such, that we might be fellow helpers to the truth."

This is the passage on which is based the belief that there had been an expedition, as it were, of missionary brethren from Ephesus, passing through the towns and villages of Asia preaching the Word, and that in so doing they had stopped at the house of Gaius and been hospitably entertained. True to the best traditions of Christian ministry, these had gone forth on their work of love, taking no payment or even, perhaps, gifts of any kind from those to whom they were sent. They laboured only for their souls, seeking to win them to Christ. John draws the attention of Gaius to this fact and points out what meritorious service it is to entertain and care for the wants of such. Our thoughts might well turn to our own time. It is not always possible to be one of the heralds of salvation who go forth into the world to preach the gospel—not always possible to undertake "active service" in the execution of the Church's age-old commission. And yet there is always something we can do towards the great work. It may be assisting in the provision of the material resources necessary to the promulgation of the message, helping to bear the cost, or performing with faithful diligence some of the hundred and one little "behind-the-scenes" duties that have to be carried out if the message is to go forth with good effect. It may be that one's part lies in the ministry of prayer, on behalf of the "travellers" as they go "into all the world". It may be in that other ministry, the Ministry of Encouragement, which has so necessary a function to perform on behalf of those whose labours so often, especially in this our day, are apparently so unfruitful. Depend upon it, there is something for each member of Christ's church to do in the great work of making known the glory of Divine truth and the Plan of God, and those who diligently apply themselves to the full exercise of such talents and abilities as they have will earn the Apostle's approving words here to his friend Gaius "Thou shalt do well".

To be continued
AOH