3 John – Encouragement and Reproof & The Love of Jesus

Finger Pointing UpThis book also only has one chapter so tomorrow we will look at…

3 John
Encouragement and Reproof

2 61 The elder unto the well beloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.

“Gaius” – a Christian in one of the churches of the province of Asia.

2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

3 For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.

4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

5 Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;

“Does to the brethren” – the early church provided hospitality and support for missionaries.

6 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:

7 Because that for his name’s sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.

8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellow helpers to the truth.

9 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.

“Church” – some identify this church with the chosen lady of 2 John.

3.The tomb
The tomb of Apostle John in the ruins of Ephesus.
The Metropolis of Ephesus was an ecclesiastical territory (metropolis) of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople in western Asia Minor, modern Turkey.

Christianity in the city of Ephesus, was introduced already from 1st century A.D. by Paul the Apostle. The local Christian community comprised one of the seven churches of Asia mentioned at the Book of Revelation, written by John the Apostle. The metropolis remained active until 1922-1923.

There had been a Jewish community at Ephesus for over three hundred years when Paul the Apostle visited Ephesus around 53 A.D. He stayed there until he set out on his third missionary journey in 54 A.D.

The Apostle John was traditionally said to have come to Ephesus during the period when Agrippa I (37-44) was suppressing the church of Jerusalem.

There are records of John being arrested by the Emperor Domitian (reigned 81 -96 AD). He was released late in his life and returned to Ephesus, where it is thought that he wrote his Gospel.

Tradition says that the Virgin Mary lived in Ephesus near to John. Apollos, a Jew from Alexandria who was a disciple of John the Baptist, arrived in Ephesus and met with John’s hosts Aquila and Priscilla.

“Diotrephes” – a church leader who was exercising dictatorial power in the church.  He must have had considerable influence since he was able to exclude people from the church fellowship (v. 10).

10 Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.

11 Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.

“Doeth good” – the continual practice of good, not merely doing occasional good deeds.

12 Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true.

13 I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee:

14 But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name.

The Love of Jesus

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (Jn 3:16).

When we read the above scripture can we actually fathom the intensity of God’s love?  I say not because everything about Him it so much greater than us; so great that it’s beyond our wildest imagination.

Sometimes it’s easier to understood things if we have a visual to compare it to.  There isn’t anything we can actually compare to the love that Jesus has for us, but below is a video that might give us an idea.

The video shows people helping animals.  And what they did, they did out of pure love and if they wouldn’t have helped the animals their lives would have ended and in a bad way.

The people were not paid for their work, but they were compensated because they basically gave each animal life.

When you watch the video replace the people with Jesus Christ and the animals are us.  That is what Jesus did for us.  Yet, He did a bit more because not only did he help people in life than, and He still does it today, He also died for us so that we can have life.

1 Hereby perceive
“Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren” (1 Jn 3:16).

Next time you see someone in need; remember what Jesus does for you.

…the Book of Jude.

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