John wrote 3 John
to a man named Gaius (3 John 1). The New
Testament mentions others Named "Gaius" (i.e., Acts 19:29; Romans 16:23), but as it was a common name, it's uncertain whether John was writing to the same person as was mentioned in those other passages.
John thanked Gaius for
the hospitality he had shown traveling pastors (3 John 5–6) and encouraged him
to continue (vv 8). He wrote this because Diotrephes, a man who had taken a
leading role in the church (v 9), had rejected John’s authority and
his missionaries (vv 9–10b), and had kicked people out of the church for helping them (v
10c). John indicated that he would personally deal with Diotrephes (v
10a). Notably, John never calls him “antichrist” (cf. 1 John 2:18–22; 2 John 7), suggesting he was a sinning brother rather than an enemy of the faith.
With the letter,
John was sending Demetrius, a highly regarded man (3 John 12), to ask Gaius to extend the same hospitality he had shown to the others, not imitating Diotrephes’ evil
behavior (v 11). This letter shows the importance of supporting gospel workers and guarding against pride
within the church.
Jonathan Edwards noted that Gospel proclamation has two sides: those who go down the well to preach and
those who hold the rope. What he meant was that missionaries (those who go in) need
support. Since all believers are called to make disciples (Matthew 28:19), we
should all find ourselves on either end of that rope.
The apostle John was
commending Gaius for holding the rope by being hospitable. In his day, hotels were
scarce, and most public accommodations were centers of immorality. In that
context, being hospitable meant giving a safe place from which they could minister.
Today, hospitality
may look different. While some missionaries do need it while in the field, it is
often expressed when a missionary comes off the field to rest. Since
their life, home, and finances are tied up in another country, taking a break can be hard. Having people willing to care for them away from the field is
a way of supporting them.
If you are a
believer, are you helping the gospel to spread? Your local church should be
your priority for your resources to help your pastor (1 Timothy 5:17).
Your church may also already be helping missionaries, so giving your resources
there helps them continue that support. Once you are helping your local church,
consider whether God has given you a heart for a particular mission. You may
consider supporting them financially or prayerfully. You might also see whether
you can join them as a volunteer or, if God is calling you, as a full-time missionary.
Regardless of how you “hold the rope,” be certain that the ultimate work being
done is the proclamation of the gospel, as true missions involve teaching people
to know and be like Jesus.
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