3 John – Day 2

Read 3 John 5-8

John calls Gaius a dear friend three times in this letter. The second time, John follows by honoring and complimenting Gaius for his faithfulness in caring fellow believers traveling in the area, “even though they are strangers to you” (verse 5).

Hospitality in both the Old and New Testament is a core value for all believers. There is a sense in which we are to show hospitality to everyone. The Bible tells us that this included providing rest, food, lodging, and protection for traveling strangers (e.g. Genesis 18:1-8). It also included provisions for the poor (e.g. Leviticus 19:9-10). Even foreigners were included. Exodus 23:9 tells us that God commanded the Israelites to remember and protect the foreigners in their midst, not to oppress them, because the Israelites had been oppressed in Egypt and should know better.

Abraham’s example is important. When Abraham saw the three travelers coming near (see Genesis 18:1-8), he eagerly welcomed them and practically begged them to stay for a time of rest and refreshment. He provided water for their dusty feet along with a full meal for their weary bodies. When they got up to leave, Abraham even traveled with them to “see them on their way” (Genesis 18:16). Little did he know that he was hosting God’s messengers. When Abraham’s guests left, they proceeded on to Sodom where Lot took them in and provided them with the same hospitality (Genesis 19). True to Sodom’s nature, that hospitality was not a value. Sexual indulgence and mob violence where characteristic of Sodom, even toward visitors, or maybe because visitors were easier prey.

Hospitality was value in Middle Eastern culture in general, but Christians practiced hospitality for more reasons that culture. Christians were to practice hospitality as a sign of God’s presence and love. Matthew 25:31-46 tells us that the hospitality shown to others is hospitality shown to him.

³⁵ For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, ³⁶ I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

³⁷ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? ³⁹ When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

⁴⁰ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Jesus’s statement is targeted toward how we treat each other. His example shows us that he did the things talked about in Matthew 25 “along the way” as he met people with diseases and other ailments. The monies that came into the ministry, which Judas was charged to take care of, were for the explicit purpose of caring for the needs of others.

Romans 12:13 explicitly says that believers are to practice hospitality toward one another. 1 Peter 4:8-9 tells us to love each other because love covers a multitude of sins. It also tells us to practice hospitality without grumbling. Hebrew 13:2 says that in showing hospitality to strangers we may unknowingly be showing hospitality to angels (as Abraham did in Genesis 18).

John commends Gaius for his hospitality, which may have included food, housing, and financial support. His hospitality had become known in the church and was received as an act of love (3 John 6). The visitors that Gaius hosted seem to be missionaries who were careful not to lean on the hospitality of unbelievers (i.e. pagans), the very people they were trying to reach. They would not take advantage of an unbeliever’s hospitality, out of love and wisdom, because they didn’t want to bring their message at the expense of unbelievers. The Apostle Paul modeled this by not received donations from the Gentiles that he witnessed to. He and his companions worked (tent builders) so they could minister to others without expectations of them.

Gaius, modeled hospitality, supported the missions work and became an inspiration in the church. In doing so, he was a participant in the spreading of the gospel and working “together for the truth” (3 John 8).

Application:

Every single believer can participate in God’s work. All of us can pray. All of us, or at least the vast majority, can support ministry financially. Sometimes this financial support is money, and sometimes it is hospitality through opening up our homes or churches. Then there are those who actually physically go into the community and world to minister to others.

All of it is necessary. Each person who prays, supports, and goes is a part of God’s great work in the world.

1. In what ways can you show hospitality, being “faithful in what you are doing” for others (v. 5)? Who can you be showing hospitality to?
2. In what ways through this reading do you see hospitality as being for the sake of the gospel message? Do you think of your support for God’s work as being vital and significant? How are your prayers, your giving, your service being an impact for God in the world?

Consider writing down a key verse or verses from today on an index card or small piece of paper and carry it with you today. Look at it as often as you can as a reminder of what you learned today.

Possible Verse: 3 John 8