Verse 9: In contrast to Gaius was Diotrophes: Gaius received the brethren, Diotrophes cast them out Gaius spoke truth, Diotrophes spoke lies. Gaius spread love, Diotrophes spread fear. It is possible that the church met in Diotrophes’ home which would have given him more power. He SOUGHT the PLACE of CHRIST. He loved to have […]
Verse 1: The note in the ESV Study Bible reads: “Beloved! Conveys the truth that Christians are linked by the love God has shown them in Christ (cf. I John 4:9-10). Love in truth: could simply mean ‘True love’ as a Christian brother, or it could refer to the ‘truth’ of the gospel, in the […]
3rd John: A Candid Look at Congregational Life Introduction to 3rd John The postcard of Third John pictures a N.T. congregation, warts and all. Sometimes I am convinced that we imagine life in the first-century church as postcard perfect. For sure, there are some passages that might lead us to that conclusion (Acts 2:44-46; 4:32-37). […]