In 3 Jn 8, John wrote, “that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth”.  In John’s third epistle we read about some who were fellowhelpers to the truth and at least one who was not.

Gaius, 3 Jn 1-6

This epistle is addressed to Gaius.  John called him wellbeloved.  He was one, like the elect lady of 2 John, whom he loved in the truth.  Gaius is one of the fellowhelpers.

John wished that Gaus would “prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth”.  To prosper is be successful, to succeed.  Our soul prospers when we are saved.  But after we are saved, it is a blessing to prosper in life and be in good health.  

The way to prosper is found in Jos 1:7-8.  You have good success when you meditate in God’s word and “observe to do according to all that is written therein”.  Likewise, attending to God’s words and keeping them in your heart are good for your health, Prov 4:20-23.

John was not advocating the prosperity theology practiced and preached by those trying to get wealthy off of others’ financial donations.  He wanted Gaius to prosper and be in good health because of the truth.

The brethren who had been with Gaius testified to John of the truth that was in Gaius.  And not only was the truth in him, but he also walked in the truth.  Concerning these statements about the truth, there are three kinds of people that we meet.

There are those who have the truth in them and, as a result, they walk in the truth.  Then there are those who have the truth in them, but they don’t walk in the truth.  And then there are those who don’t have the truth in them, but they try to walk so that others think they have the truth in them.  

Gaius was true.  He had the truth in him and he walked in the truth.  Truly, as John wrote, there is no greater joy than to hear that our children (both spiritual and biological) walk in truth. 

Gaius also had a testimony among the brethren for being faithful and charitable.  He did things faithfully to the brethren and to strangers.  And the brethren bore witness of his charity before the church.  

So, John encouraged Gaius to do well and help the brethren on their journey.  It is evident that the brethren had needs that Gaius could meet.  And based on his testimony before the church, John could count on him to help these men with whatever they needed for their journey, as in Acts 15:3.

The brethren, 3 Jn 6-8

The brethren were evidently preaching the gospel to the Gentiles and ministering to them.  But they were doing so, like Paul, without being a burden to the people among whom they were ministering, 2 Thes 3:8; 2 Cor 12:13.  They didn’t receive support from them.  They did this for the Lord’s sake, 1 Cor 9:12.

So, John encouraged Gaius to receive these fellowhelpers, so that he and Gaius could be fellowhelpers to the truth, as well.  In other words, they would be to these brethren what the Macedonian churches and the Philippians were to Paul in his ministry, Phil 4:15; 2 Cor 11:7-9.

Diotrophes, 3 Jn 9-11

Unlike Gaius, Diotrophes was not a fellowhelper to the truth.  Rather, because he loved to have the “preeminence among them”, he would not receive John.  The preeminence belongs to Jesus, Col 1:18.  And John wrote to the church to expose this man and let them know that, if he came to see them, he would remember Diotrophes’s evil deeds.

These are the things Diotrophes was doing.  He was prating against John with malicious words.  He would not receive the brethren who were his fellowhelpers.  And he forbad others to receive them and cast them out of the church if they did.

Therefore, John exhorted Gaius to “follow not that which is evil, but that which is good”.  Like he did in his first epistle, John wrote that those who do good are of God and those who do evil are not of God, as in 1 Jn 2:29, 3:10. 

Demetrius

Unlike Diotrophes, Demetrius was a good man.  He had a good report of all men.  He had a good report of the truth itself.  And John bore record that he had a good testimony.  John wrote, “and ye know that our record is true”.  It’s excellent to be known by others as a man who’s word is always true.

The friends

John said that he had many things to write but that he would now write them because he was hoping to be able to visit with Gaius face to face.

When he closed the letter, he wrote, “Our friends salute thee.  Greet the friends by name”.  It is wonderful to have mutual friends in other churches.