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The Letters of John

Truth And Hospitality

3 John 1-8, ESV
Dr. Ed Pilapil Jr.
December 14, 2025
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Sermon Notes

Introduction

The third letter of John is a personal and pastoral letter to a believer named Gaius. John commends Gaius for walking in the truth and for his hospitality to traveling co-laborers in Christ. Gaius’s love and support for traveling missionaries serve as a model of Christian generosity and partnership in ministry. Gaius' actions serve as a model for all believers. At the end of John’s second letter, he instructs believers not to welcome false teachers. The third letter is about welcoming those who walk in the truth.

1. Walk in the Truth

John rejoices that Gaius is walking in the truth. A typical theme in John’s writing is the connection between love and truth. In his opening statement, John expresses his prayer that all may go well with Gaius, just as his soul prospers.

3 John 1-4: The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth. Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul. For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified to your truth, as indeed you are walking in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

2. Hospitality to Workers

The author appreciates Gaius's love for the church, especially for the visiting workers. Even though Gaius did not know the visitors well, he welcomed them. The workers spoke well of Gaius’s love before the church.

3 John 5-6: Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are, who testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God.

3. Why Welcome

John explains the reason for showing hospitality to these workers. The reason is that they “went out for the sake of the name,” and they did not receive support from other ethnicities. By supporting such workers, Gaius becomes a “fellow worker for the truth.”

3 John 7-8: For they have gone out for the sake of the name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.

Application

  1. Let us rejoice when we see other believers walking in the truth; moreover, when they show hospitality to co-laborers in the truth. We should pray that all may go well with them, just as their souls prosper.
  2. We should commend believers who show hospitality to fellow workers in the Lord. If we ever hear a good report about others, let us rejoice and celebrate their good work.
  3. It is good to explain the reason why believers should help laborers in Christ. One: Some serve the Lord even with little support. Two, those who support them share in their labor in Christ.

Study Guide

  1. What was the reason for John’s rejoicing found in the greeting? (3 John 1-4)
  2. Why did John commend Gaius? How did John find out? (3 John 5-6)
  3. Explain the reasons for helping traveling missionaries who believe in the truth? (3 John 7-8).