The Third Letter of John

The Third Letter of John is a short and personal letter found near the end of the New Testament. It was written by someone known as “the elder.” Many people believe this is the same person who wrote the Second Letter of John and possibly the Gospel of John. This letter is the shortest book in the Bible by word count, but it still has something important to say.

The letter is written to a man named Gaius. The elder praises Gaius for his kindness and for welcoming traveling teachers. These visitors were spreading the message of Jesus, and Gaius helped them even though they were strangers. The elder sees this as a good example of Christian love in action. Gaius is encouraged to keep doing what is right.

The elder also talks about a man named Diotrephes. Diotrephes is a leader in the church who does not act with love. He refuses to welcome others and even pushes people out of the church. The elder warns Gaius not to follow that kind of behavior. Instead, he should continue doing good and being faithful.

At the end of the letter, the elder mentions another good man named Demetrius. He is respected by others and is living in truth. The elder says he has more to share but will wait to visit in person. Even though this letter is short, it shows the value of kindness, truth, and supporting others in ministry.

The Third Letter of John was written near the end of the first century. This was a time when the early Church was still growing. Small Christian communities were meeting in homes. Leaders were trying to teach the truth about Jesus while facing many challenges.

The writer calls himself “the elder.” He does not give his full name. Many people believe this is the same person who wrote the Gospel of John and the other two letters. He was likely a respected church leader who knew the truth about Jesus firsthand. He was trusted and known by the people he wrote to.

The elder wanted to give advice and support to faithful Christians. He wrote this letter to Gaius, a friend and follower of Jesus. Gaius was doing good work by helping traveling missionaries. The elder wanted to thank him and warn him about people who were causing problems.

This letter gives us a glimpse of early church life. It shows how important leaders helped others stay strong in faith and love. Even though the letter is short, it speaks clearly about truth, kindness, and how to live as followers of Jesus.

The Third Letter of John is written like a personal note. It is short, simple, and direct. It sounds more like a letter between friends than a big sermon or teaching. The elder writes with warmth and care, calling Gaius “beloved” more than once.

The style is plain and easy to follow. The elder starts with a greeting, shares some news, gives advice, and ends with a farewell. There are no long or confusing parts. The message is clear and easy to understand.

The elder uses real people and real examples. He talks about Gaius, Diotrephes, and Demetrius. This helps the reader see the difference between good and bad behavior in the church. It also makes the letter feel personal and real.

This short letter shows how much the elder cared about truth and love. It is a gentle reminder to live in a way that honors Jesus and supports others who are doing good.

The Third Letter of John teaches simple lessons that fit well with Catholic life. It talks about truth, love, and how we treat others. These are also key parts of Catholic teaching.

• Truth and faithfulness
  Gaius is praised for walking in truth. In the Catholic faith, living in truth means following Jesus. It also means staying loyal to His teachings and the Church.
• Hospitality and charity
  Gaius helps strangers who are spreading the Gospel. This shows the value of welcoming others and supporting the mission of the Church. Catholics are called to be generous and open to those in need.
• Good leadership
  Diotrephes is shown as a poor example of leadership. He is proud and unkind. In contrast, the elder lifts up Demetrius, who has a good reputation. The Church teaches that leaders should be humble and serve others.
• Community and unity
  The elder is trying to build up the community. He wants people to work together in love and support. This fits with the Catholic view of the Church as one body in Christ.

Even in this short letter, we see how faith must be lived. It reminds us to speak the truth, act with love, and stay close to others who follow Jesus.

The Third Letter of John is only one chapter long. It has 15 verses total. There are no official sections like in some longer books, but we can still see three clear parts in the flow of the letter.

• Greeting and praise (verses 1–8)
  The elder greets Gaius with kindness. He is happy that Gaius is living in truth. He also thanks him for helping traveling missionaries.
• Warning about Diotrephes (verses 9–11)
  The elder explains how Diotrephes is causing problems. He is proud and does not welcome others. The elder tells Gaius to avoid that kind of behavior.
• Praise for Demetrius and final words (verses 12–15)
  The elder says good things about Demetrius. He plans to visit soon and ends the letter with a peaceful farewell.

This letter is short but clear. Each part has a simple message about how to live as a follower of Jesus.

The Third Letter of John is short, but it names a few key people. Each one plays a role in the message of the letter.

• The Elder
  He is the writer of the letter. He does not give his name, but many believe he is the same person who wrote the Gospel of John. He is a leader who cares about truth and love.
• Gaius
  Gaius is the person the letter is written to. He is praised for living in truth and helping others, especially traveling missionaries. He shows what it means to live as a true Christian.
• Diotrephes
  Diotrephes is a church leader who causes problems. He does not welcome others and tries to stay in control. The elder warns against his behavior.
• Demetrius
  Demetrius is a good example. He is spoken well of by others and lives in the truth. The elder says to follow people like him.

The Third Letter of John may be short, but it still speaks to us today. It reminds us that truth, kindness, and good leadership are always important. These values help build strong Christian communities.

Many people today still welcome others into their homes or churches. Like Gaius, we can support those who spread the Gospel. We can help with prayers, meals, or a place to rest. This letter reminds us to be generous and open-hearted.

It also warns us about pride and selfishness. Diotrephes wanted control and pushed others away. We still see this today when people act for power instead of love. The elder’s words encourage us to follow good examples instead.

In a busy world, it’s easy to forget simple acts of love. This short letter reminds us that small choices matter. We are called to walk in truth and help one another, just like the early Christians.

The Third Letter of John is not often read at Mass. It only appears once in the Roman Catholic lectionary. This means most Catholics may never hear it unless they read it on their own.

When it does appear, it is part of a weekday Mass, not a Sunday. It is not read during major seasons like Advent, Lent, or Easter. Because of this, many people may not know much about it.

Even though it is short and not often heard, it still holds value. The Church includes it because every part of Scripture has meaning. This letter reminds us to live in truth and love others well.

Reading this short book on your own is a good way to reflect on faith. It is a simple message that fits with how we are called to live each day. The lectionary may not use it often, but it is still worth reading.

• Saturday of the 32nd Week in Ordinary Time II – 3 John 5-8: Faithfulness and Support for the Journey

Love That Shows in Action

In this episode of the Bible in a Year Podcast, Fr. Mike Schmitz reflects on the Third Letter of John. He says it’s a short letter, but it carries an important message. John highlights love that acts. Not just feelings, but love that actually does something.

Fr. Mike talks about how John praises Gaius for living in the truth. He says real joy comes from seeing others walk in that truth. Gaius is doing good by caring for others, even strangers, and that shows what love really looks like.

He also mentions how John warns against people like Diotrephes. This man puts himself first and refuses to welcome others. Fr. Mike says we should not follow that kind of behavior.

Instead, we are called to imitate good. Fr. Mike reminds us that doing good, even in small ways, is part of walking with God. The Third Letter of John shows how real love is shown in how we treat people.

The Bible

Want to understand more about the Bible and how it all fits together? It can seem like a big book with a lot going on, but it helps to see the full picture. Learning more can make your reading easier and more meaningful.

Visit our page called Understanding the Bible to get started. It gives a simple overview of what the Bible is, how it’s put together, and how Catholics read it. Whether you’re new to Scripture or just want a refresher, it’s a great place to begin.

Who wrote the Third Letter of John?

The writer calls himself “the elder.” Many believe this was the same person who wrote the Gospel of John and the other two letters. He was likely a trusted Church leader.

Who is Gaius in this letter?

Gaius is the person the letter is written to. He is praised for living in truth and helping others, especially traveling missionaries. He is shown as a good example of Christian love.

Why is Diotrephes mentioned?

Diotrephes is a church leader who is not acting with love. He refuses to welcome others and tries to stay in control. The elder warns Gaius not to follow his ways.

What does this letter teach us today?

It reminds us to help others, stay in the truth, and follow good examples. It also shows how small actions, like welcoming someone, can show our faith.

Is 3 John used at Mass?

Yes, but only once in the weekday lectionary. It is not part of Sunday readings. Many Catholics may not hear it unless they read it on their own.

The Third Letter of John is the shortest book in the Bible, but it still gives us something meaningful. It was written by someone called “the elder,” likely the same person who wrote the Gospel of John. The letter was sent to a man named Gaius, who was known for his kindness and faith.

The elder praises Gaius for helping traveling missionaries. These men were sharing the message of Jesus, and Gaius welcomed them with open arms. This shows us how early Christians worked together and supported one another, even if they were strangers.

The letter also gives a warning about Diotrephes. He was a leader who wanted to be in charge and did not treat others well. The elder tells Gaius not to copy that behavior. Instead, he lifts up another man named Demetrius, who lived in truth and had a good name in the community.

This short letter reminds us to support those doing good work for the Church. It teaches that truth, love, and good actions matter. Even small acts of kindness help build up the body of Christ.

Take a few minutes and read the Third Letter of John. It’s short, simple, and to the point. You’ll see how kindness and truth go hand in hand in the Christian life.

After you read it, share your thoughts below in the comments. How does this letter speak to you today? Let’s talk about ways we can live like Gaius and support one another in faith.