 3 John Introduction First John presented the principle of fellowship in the Christian life. The need for being in fellowship is mandatory before one can have a functioning spiritual life. Second John presented the principle of truth. It is by the Word of God that our spiritual life functions, and not by any other philosophy under creation. Truth is learned only by following a daily study practice of the scriptures. Third John will now present the pattern of life which we are to follow. Based on, both principles of doctrine, which we studied in the last two books, then we are to live our daily lives in accordance with and obedience to, the principles taught in the Bible This third letter presents one of the few glimpses in the New Testament of a church in the first century. The characters, Gaius, Diotrephes, and Demetrius, are sketched by the apostle's pen. Characteristics of church life are also clearly seen in this book. The independence of the believers is obvious, and their personalities, as well as their doctrinal problems, are plain to see and as we will note, are nothing new and are similar to the problems and circumstances of our current day. The state of things in the first century was not ideal as one might think. This book reveals the normal problems of a growing faith, both in the history of the early Christian Church, as well as in the life of any believer regardless of when they might live in history. 3 John Outline I. The Commendation of Gaius 1:1-8 A. Salutation 1:1 B. Godliness of Gaius 1:2-4 C. Generosity of Gaius 1:5-8 II. The Condemnation of Diotrephes 1:9-14 A. Pride of Diotrephes 1:9-11 B. Praise for Demetrius 1:12 C. Benediction 1:13-14
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