These small group studies of 3 John contain outlines, cross-references, Bible study discussion questions, and applications.  Visit our library of inductive Bible studies for more in depth inductive studies on this and other books of the Bible you can use in your small group.

3 John 1-8 Bible Study with Discussion Questions, Verse by Verse Commentary, and Cross References

3 John 1-8

Commending Christian Hospitality

Summary- John wrote to Gaius, whom he loved in truth, and prayed that his health would prosper as his soul prospered. He heard that Gaius had been walking in the truth, and testified that his greatest joy was found in his children’s walking in the truth.

Then, he commended Gaius for faithfully showing hospitality to brethren and strangers alike, in the same way as he would have shown hospitality to the Lord. These to whom he had shown hospitality were traveling for the sake of Christ, and not for their own gain. We, as well as Gaius, should support such men as these, so that we may participate in their work.

Central Teaching- Show hospitality worthy of God to brethren, even strangers, who are walking in the truth.

Key Verse- 4

Key Words- love, truth, pray, prosper, health, soul, testified, walking, joy, faithfully, brethren, strangers, support, fellow workers

Ten things this passages says-

  1. John loved Gaius in truth.
  2. He prayed that Gaius would prosper and be in good health in all respects.
  3. He prayed that Gaius’ health would prosper as his soul prospered.
  4. Brethren spoke well of Gaius, because he was walking in the truth.
  5. John’s greatest joy came when he heard his children were walking in the truth.
  6. Gaius was acting faithfully in everything he accomplished towards the brethren; especially towards strangers.
  7. Those he had ministered to testified to Gaius’ love before the church.
  8. We should treat those we are showing hospitality to in a manner worthy of God.
  9. People who are truly serving the Lord are doing it for His Name, not their own gain.
  10. When we support men who are motivated by truth, we are fellow workers in that truth with them.

Ten things this passage does NOT say-

  1. John’s love for Gaius was based on emotions, and had no biblical foundation.
  2. John thought it was wrong to pray for physical prosperity of any kind. He focused on spirit alone.
  3. John thought that physical health and prosperity was more important than spiritual well-being.
  4. Gaius reported his good deeds to John, so that John would not remain unaware of what a good job he was doing.
  5. Gaius’ good deeds were unconnected with his spiritual focus on truth.
  6. John’s greatest sources of joy were earthly and temporal.
  7. Occasional hospitality is enough. It’s not necessary to make a regular habit of it.
  8. It’s fine to show hospitality towards the brethren, but it’s unnecessary and dangerous to open one’s home to strangers.
  9. Any level of hospitality shown is acceptable. It doesn’t matter if it’s half-hearted or grudging.
  10. We receive no benefit from showing hospitality, but only end up being used and taken advantage of.

What does this passage teach us about God?

He loves in truth.

He desires us to pray for physical, as well as spiritual well-being.

He rejoices when we speak well of each other.

He rejoices when we walk in the truth.

He is faithful.

He is not a respecter of persons. Brethren and strangers alike receive equal treatment.

He rewards those in supporting roles (such as hospitality) in the ministry, as well as those out in the forefront.

Questions-

What kinds of people are called “beloved,” both in this book and in the rest of the NT? V1

What does it mean to “love in truth”? V1

What does John’s prayer for Gaius say about his spiritual health? V2

What does his prayer show us about praying for someone’s physical health? V2

How does his prayer contradict the idea that ill health is due to sin or a lack of faith in one’s life? V2

What two things brought John joy in this verse? V3

What does it mean to “walk in the truth”? V3

In response to this verse, what kinds of changes should we make to our own lives? V3

Who were John’s children? V4

What brought him the greatest joy? V4

Conversely, what do you think would have brought him the greatest sorrow? V4

What things bring you joy? Do they match up with the eternal perspective that John had? V4

Why is it significant that he was “acting faithfully”? What does that mean? V5

Who was Gaius showing hospitality to? V5

Can you think of any cross references that tell us specifically who we should practice hospitality towards? V5

How was Gaius’ “love” demonstrated? V6

What was one way that Gaius’ guests showed their gratefulness? What do you think the result of their testimony was? V 6

How did John indicate that he wanted Gaius’ hospitality to continue? V6

What does it mean to “send them on their way in a manner worthy of God”? V6

What should the motivation be of a preacher that we show hospitality towards? V7

Who is “the Name” referring to? V7

Who do “the Gentiles” refer to? V7

Why is it important that such a preacher accepts nothing from the Gentiles? V7

What kind of men should we support? V8

How should we support them? V8

Why should we support them? V8

Cross References-

3 John 1-

2 John 1

 The elder to the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in truth; and not only I, but also all who know the truth,

Acts 19:29

29 The city was filled with the confusion, and they rushed with one accord into the theater, dragging along Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul’s traveling companions from Macedonia.

Rom 16:23

23 Gaius, host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer greets you, and Quartus, the brother.

1 John 3:18

18 Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.

3 John 2-

James 5:12

12 But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath; but your yes is to be yes, and your no, no, so that you may not fall under judgment.

1 Peter 4:7-8

 8 Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.

Ps 20:1-5

May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble!

May the name of the God of Jacob set you securely on high!

2 May He send you help from the sanctuary

And support you from Zion!

3 May He remember all your meal offerings

And find your burnt offering acceptable! Selah.

4 May He grant you your heart’s desire

And fulfill all your counsel!

5 We will sing for joy over your victory,

And in the name of our God we will set up our banners.

May the LORD  fulfill all your petitions.

Phil 2:4

4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

Phil 2:27

27 For indeed he was sick to the point of death, but God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, so that I would not have sorrow upon sorrow.

Col 1:4-6

4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all the saints; 5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel 6 which has come to you, just as in all the world also it is constantly bearing fruit and increasing, even as it has been doing in you also since the day you heard of it and understood the grace of God in truth;

1 Thess 2:13-14

13 For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it  not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe. 14 For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, for you also endured the same sufferings at the hands of your own countrymen, even as they did from the Jews,

1 Thess 2:19-20

19 For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? 20 For you are our glory and joy.

1 Thess 3:6-9

6 But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always think kindly of us, longing to see us just as we also long to see you, 7 for this reason, brethren, in all our distress and affliction we were comforted about you through your faith; 8 for now we really live, if you stand firm in the Lord. 9 For what thanks can we render to God for you in return for all the joy with which we rejoice before our God on your account,

2 Thess 1:3

3 We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brethren, as is only fitting, because your faith is greatly enlarged, and the love of each one of you toward one another grows ever greater;

2 Thess 2:13

13 But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.

Philem 5-7

5 because I hear of your love and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints; 6 and I pray that the fellowship of your faith may become effective through the knowledge of every good thing which is in you for Christ’s sake. 7 For I have come to have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.

Ps 119:40

40 Behold, I long for Your precepts;

Revive me through Your righteousness.

2 Cor 7:6

6 But God, who comforts the depressed, comforted us by the coming of Titus;

3 John 3-

Phil 1:3-4

3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all,

1 Thess 2:19-20

19 For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? 20 For you are our glory and joy.

2 John 4

4 I was very glad to find some of your children walking in truth, just as we have received commandment to do from the Father.

3 John 4

4 I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.

Rom 1:8-9

8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, because your faith is being proclaimed throughout the whole world. 9 For God, whom I serve in my spirit in the preaching of the gospel of His Son, is my witness as to how unceasingly I make mention of you,

2 Cor 7:6-7

6 But God, who comforts the depressed, comforted us by the coming of Titus; 7 and not only by his coming, but also by the comfort with which he was comforted in you, as he reported to us your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me; so that I rejoiced even more.

Eph 1:15-16

15 For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints, 16 do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers;

Col 1:7-8

7 just as you learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow bond-servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf, 8 and he also informed us of your love in the Spirit.

1 Thess 3:6-9

6 But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always think kindly of us, longing to see us just as we also long to see you, 7 for this reason, brethren, in