Expository Notes on the Bible (Constable)

• 1. The mission of the Twelve to Israel 9:1-6 (cf. Matt. 9:35-11:1; Mark 6:6b-13)
  This is another "sandwich"or chiastic section in design (cf. 8:40-56). This structural device usually gives unity to the whole section and focuses attention on the central part of it. First, Jesus sent the Twelve on an evange...
• 3. The importance of participation 10:1-16
  The theme of discipleship training continues in this section of verses. The 70 disciples that Jesus sent out contrast with the three men Luke just finished presenting (9:57-62). This was a second mission on which Jesus sent a...
• C. The writer's postscript 21:24-25
  Some commentators refer to this ending as a colophon.690However, it is more similar to a postscript because it contains only hints of the writer's identity. Mainly it claims that this Gospel is a reliable though limited recor...
• Instructions Regarding Morality 13:1-6
  13:1 When love for Jesus Christ falters, love for the brethren normally flags as well (cf. Rom. 12:10; 1 Thess. 4:9-10; 1 Pet. 1:22; 2 Pet. 1:7; 1 John 2:9).13:2 Abraham entertained angels when he showed them hospitality (Gen...
• I. Introduction: THE PURPOSE OF THE EPISTLE 1:1-4
  "This writing begins without any of the formal features characteristic of a letter, such as we found in 2 John and 3 John. Since the conclusion also lacks any typical features of a letter, we must conclude that the writing is...
• Historical background
  Third John is probably the most personal letter in the New Testament. Most of the epistles originally went, of course, to churches or groups of Christians. First and 2 John are both of this type. The Pastoral Epistles, while ...
• Message2
  Third John and 2 John deal with two sides of the same issue, namely the relationship of the truth and Christian love. In 2 John the writer stressed the importance of the truth. In 3 John he stressed the importance of love. Se...
• Outline
  I. Introduction vv. 1-4II. The importance of love vv. 5-12A. Gaius' love vv. 5-8B. Diotrephes' lack of love vv. 9-11C. Demetrius' opportunity for love v. 12III. Conclusion vv. 13-14...
• I. INTRODUCTION vv. 1-4
  John identified himself and greeted the recipient of this shortest New Testament epistle to set the tone for what follows.v. 1 As in 2 John, the Apostle identified himself as "the elder."We do not know exactly who Gaius was. ...
• A. Gaius' Love vv. 5-8
  John commended Gaius for his love of the brethren to encourage him to continue practicing this virtue.v. 5 John loved Gaius as Gaius loved the brethren to whom he had extended hospitality."The early Christian community's deep...
• B. Diotrephes' Lack of Love vv. 9-11
  Gaius' good example stands out more clearly beside Diotrephes' bad example. Diotrephes is a rare name and means "nourished by Zeus."13John brought Diotrephes into the picture to clarify the responsibility of Gaius and all oth...
• Bibliography
  Alexander, W. "The Third Epistle of John."In The Speaker's Commentary: New Testament. Edited by F. C. Cook. London: John Murray, 1881.Bailey, Mark L., and Thomas L. Constable. The New Testament Explorer. Nashville: Word Publi...
• 1. The temple in Jerusalem 11:1-2
  11:1 "And"(Gr. kai) ties this chapter closely to the previous one. John's first prophetic assignment after receiving his fresh commission was to provide this information.Again John became an active participant in his vision (...

Expositions Of Holy Scripture (Maclaren)

• A Prosperous Soul
  Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.'--3 John 2.THIS little letter contains no important doctrinal teaching nor special revelation of any kind. It is the out...
• For The Sake Of The Name
  For His name's sake.'--3 John 7.THE Revised Version gives the true force of these words by omitting the His,' and reading merely for the sake of the Name.' There is no need to say whose name. There is only One which could evo...
• Fellow-Workers With The Truth
  That we might be fellow-helpers to the truth.'--3 John 8.FELLOW-HELPERS to the Truth.' A word or two may be permitted as to the immediate occasion of the expression. There seems to have been, as we learn not only from occasio...
• The Christian's Witnesses To Character
  Demetrius hath a good report of all men, and of the truth itself.'--3 John 12.WHAT a strange fate this Demetrius has had! He has narrowly escaped oblivion, yet he is remembered for ever and his name is known over all the worl...