King James Version
3 John
3 John in the King James Version (1769), public domain in the United States.
Background and History
The chapters above are the King James text. This essay is the setting of 3 John: who is said to have written it, when and where, what happens in it, and how the text has been copied.
At a Glance
| Author | The elder, traditionally John the apostle. Eusebius notes doubt whether the writer is the evangelist or another John. |
|---|---|
| Date | AD 85–100 in one survey. |
| Place written | Not named. Ephesus, Turkey, is traditional. |
| Genre | A brief personal letter. |
| Chapters | 1 |
| Verses | 14 in the King James Version |
| Key verse | 3 John 1:43 John 1:4 · King James VersionI have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.3 John 1:4 · King James VersionOpen the Source |
Who Wrote It
3 John 1:13 John 1:1 · King James VersionThe elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.
3 John 1:1 · King James VersionOpen the Source (1) names the elder writing to the well-beloved Gaius. Eusebius lists the second and third letters of John among the disputed books. (2) Origen says not all accept them. (3) Athanasius lists three. (4) The voice matches 2 John closely.
Who It Is Not
Gaius is the recipient. Diotrephes, who refuses the elder, in 3 John 1:9–103 John 1:9–10 · King James Version1:9 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.
1:10 Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.
3 John 1:9–10 · King James VersionOpen the Source, is criticized, not the author. Demetrius is commended.
When and Where
Bible Gateway gives AD 85–100. (5)
Audience and Setting
Gaius, a church member who supported traveling missionaries. The purpose is to commend his hospitality and address Diotrephes’s refusal of the elder’s authority.
Rulers at the Time
The letter names no ruler. This page adds none.
| When | What |
|---|---|
| The letter | AD 85–100 in one survey. (5) |
Places in This Book
The letter names no places.
What Is Happening
3 John 1:1–83 John 1:1–8 · King James Version1:1 The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.
1:2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
1:3 For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.
1:4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
1:5 Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;
1:6 Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well:
1:7 Because that for his name’s sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.
1:8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.
3 John 1:1–8 · King James VersionOpen the Source praise Gaius’s hospitality. 3 John 1:9–103 John 1:9–10 · King James Version1:9 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.
1:10 Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.
3 John 1:9–10 · King James VersionOpen the Source rebuke Diotrephes. 3 John 1:11–143 John 1:11–14 · King James Version1:11 Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.
1:12 Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true.
1:13 I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee:
1:14 But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name.
3 John 1:11–14 · King James VersionOpen the Source commend Demetrius and close.
Key Themes
Walking in the truth in 3 John 1:43 John 1:4 · King James VersionI have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
3 John 1:4 · King James VersionOpen the Source. Hospitality to workers for the truth in 3 John 1:83 John 1:8 · King James VersionWe therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.
3 John 1:8 · King James VersionOpen the Source.
Apologetics Questions
The elder’s identity is the main question. The letter is also an early window into church conflict over authority.
How the Book Points to Christ
3 John 1:73 John 1:7 · King James VersionBecause that for his name’s sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.
3 John 1:7 · King James VersionOpen the Source says the missionaries went forth for his name’s sake, the name being Christ’s. The letter is short and does not develop doctrine. The confession of the other Johannine letters applies. Jesus is God.
Text and Manuscripts
Codex Sinaiticus contains 3 John. (6)
Canon Reception
Disputed in Eusebius’s day and received by Athanasius’s time. (2) (4)
Further Reading
References
- Third Epistle of John, 1:1; 1:9–103 John 1:1 · King James Version
The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.
3 John 1:1 · King James VersionOpen the Source. King James Version - Church History, Book 3, 3.25.3Papias, in Eusebius, Church History 3.39.15 · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, New Advent
Mark, having become the interpreter of Peter, wrote down accurately, though not in order, whatsoever he remembered of the things said or done by Christ. For he neither heard the Lord nor followed him, but afterward, as I said, he followed Peter, who adapted his teaching to the needs of his hearers, but with no intention of giving a connected account of the Lord's discourses, so that Mark committed no error while he thus wrote some things as he remembered them. For he was careful of one thing, not to omit any of the things which he had heard, and not to state any of them falsely.
Papias, in Eusebius, Church History 3.39.15 · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, New AdventOpen the Source (Eusebius, Church History 3.3, 3.24–25, and 3.39, Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, second series, vol. 1, on New Advent. Chapter 25 sorts books into acknowledged, disputed, and rejected. Chapter 39 reports Papias on Mark and Matthew.) - Church History, Book 6, 6.25.10 (Eusebius, Church History 6.14 and 6.25, reporting Clement of Alexandria and Origen. Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, second series, vol. 1, on New Advent.)
- Festal Letter 39, 39.4–5 (Athanasius of Alexandria, AD 367, Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, second series, vol. 4, on New Advent. The letter lists twenty-two Old Testament books and the twenty-seven books of the New Testament, and places Esther among books to be read rather than in the canon.)
- When Was Each Book of the Bible Written?, 3 John (Jacob Edson, Bible Gateway, 16 September 2024. The survey gives 3 John as AD 85–100. It is one editor’s approximation, not a manuscript date.)
- Codex Sinaiticus, About the manuscriptCodex Sinaiticus: content · Codex Sinaiticus Project
Codex Sinaiticus, a manuscript of the Christian Bible written in the middle of the fourth century, contains the earliest complete copy of the Christian New Testament.
Codex Sinaiticus: content · Codex Sinaiticus ProjectOpen the Source (The Codex Sinaiticus project’s description of the manuscript, a fourth-century Greek Bible with the earliest complete copy of the New Testament.)
The King James Version (1769) is in the public domain in the United States.