A Tour Through John, Lesson 45

<p>For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ <a href="https://www.douglasjacoby.com/tour-john-lesson-45/" target="_blank"><strong>website.</strong></a></p><p>1 The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth.</p><ul><li>Third John is a personal letter written from one friend (the elder) to another (Gaius).<ul><li>Gaius was a common name in the ancient world.</li><li>For example, it was the name of the emperor Caligula (37-41 AD).</li></ul></li><li>A conflict has arisen between supporters of Demetrius and supporters of Diotrephes.</li><li>This little letter yields many insights into early Christianity.<ul><li>First, John emphasizes his love for the Christians to whom he is writing.<ul><li>Loving relationships are rooted in truth (v.1).</li><li>Without truth -- and this includes others' being truthful -- a solid relationship is not a realistic possibility</li></ul></li></ul></li></ul><p>2 Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, just as it is well with your soul. 3 I was overjoyed when some of the friends arrived and testified to your faithfulness to the truth, namely how you walk in the truth. 4 I have no greater joy than this, to hear that my children are walking in the truth.</p><ul><li>Health is a legitimate concern (v.2). Do we inquire after people's physical condition, or only after their spiritual health?</li><li>"Friend" (v.3) is a technical term.</li><li>Truth is something in which we "walk" (live in day to day), not just something to which we give assent (v.3).</li><li>With regard to verse 4, Paul had similar sentiments in 1 Thess 3:8. The "children" are probably not be John's literal offspring, but rather children in the faith.</li><li>With regard to verse 3, what do we call fellow believers?<ul><li>There are many acceptable words to describe followers of Jesus Christ: <i>disciples, friends, believers, the church, the assembly, the Way, brothers, </i>and more.</li><li>Our term of choice reveals how we conceive of our relationship to fellow believe