3^rd John

Overview

Gaius was a common name and occurs 4 times in the New Testament. We do not know who this particular one was but he was probably a friend of John with some responsibility in the church.

In this very short book John encourages Christian fellowship. The book contrasts four different church men:-

• Gaius: Truthful; warm; helpful to Christian travellers; fellow worker
• Diotrephes: Proud; malicious; selfish; untruthful
• Demetrius: Good testimony; trustworthy; possibly delivered letter to Gaius
• John himself: Faithful; heart of love; encourages and promotes fellowship

Author

The apostle John in Ephesus, probably delivered by Demetrius

Time of 3^rd John

Very late in John’s life. Probably around AD 90