Author: Charlie Garrett

Saturday, 4 July 2020

Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. 3 John -2

John, addressing “the beloved Gaius” of the previous verse, calls him “Beloved.” As the adjective is singular, there is no question that the letter is written to him alone, even if it is now included for our instruction in the Bible. To Gaius, he next says, “I pray that you may prosper in all things.” The KJV incorrectly renders it as “above all things.” Neither the word, nor the context, could imply “above.” Rather, the Greek word peri signifies “concerning.”

The Greek word translated as “prosper” signifies a journey on a particular road. Thus, it figuratively is intended to be used where someone truly prospers. If one is on the wrong path, then there will be a waste of time, energy, and so on. But to be on the right path things will continue as they were intended and budgeted for. While on this path of prospering, John then says, “and be in health.”

Some have deduced that because of these words, Gaius must have been sick. That may be reading too much into John’s words. It is the most common thing to wish continued health on someone who is healthy, or for strong health for someone when we don’t even know what their current health situation is. John is simply combining his desire for Gaius’ physical health with his spiritual health. As he says, “just as your soul prospers.”

John, as can be evidenced by the contents of the coming verse, was fully aware of the sound spiritual health of Gaius. In this, John was – in essence – pronouncing a blessing upon Gaius for a physically healthy walk in this life; he was certainly spiritually healthy.

Life application: John, will use the same term, beloved, at the beginning of each major point, stating it again in verses 5 and 11. His prayer points to temporal things and indicates that it is completely acceptable to pray for temporal blessings.

As we saw, John is praying for a successful journey in all the things of life. However, this is not a call to a prosperity gospel where we can “claim” these things. That is a twisted way of looking at both the word “pray,” and at the rest of Scripture. Instead, a prayer is a petition of request, not a demand.

The same is true for his prayer of health. It, again, isn’t a pronouncement of, or claim for, health by the touch of a faith healer. It is a prayer of petition.

For someone to stand on a stage or on a TV show and claim healing in the name of Jesus is both unbiblical and unwise. It is unbiblical because the Bible doesn’t teach it. And it is unwise because when God, in His sovereignty, decides to not heal someone, then that person’s faith or the faith of others can be damaged. It is a crime against the Lord to demand that which is at His prerogative alone.

Another point is that the word used for “be in health” is sometimes used in a metaphorical sense by Paul when speaking of sound doctrine. But this isn’t the case here. It is speaking of Gaius’ physical health.

Finally, we saw that there was nothing wrong with Gaius’ spiritual condition. John is simply praying that Gaius will be blessed in health and in the temporal things of life, just as he is in his spiritual life. Again, this is a classic verse for deducing that we can’t expect these things simply because we are obedient to the Lord. Instead, we can pray for them and the Lord will respond according to His wisdom and our needs.

The prosperity gospel and the health gospel are both revealed as false teachings from this one verse. Instead, the Christian is to pray for, but never expect or demand, such things.

Lord, at times, we may have fallen prey to the false teachings of the prosperity and health gospels. We may have claimed and expected things which we should have only prayed for. In this, we have overstepped what is right and not allowed room for Your sovereign choices concerning our lives. May we accept whatever You give us as a blessing – be it wealth or poverty, health or ailment. To Your glory alone! Amen.

Friday, 3 July 2020

The Elder,
To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth: 3 John -1

As in 2 John, John begins his letter with “The Elder.” Because of his reputation, age, and status, this was all that was necessary to identify himself to his readers. This is a personal letter and is being written “To the beloved Gaius.”

Gaius was a very common name at the time, coming from the Roman name Caius. And so, he can’t be linked with any other Gaius – either mentioned elsewhere in the New Testament or from archaeological discoveries. The name is found twice in Acts, once in Romans, and once in 1 Corinthians. Of this particular Gaius, we know he was beloved of John.

Of his addressee, John next says, “whom I love in truth.” The translation is correct. Some translations say, “in the truth.” There is no article before “truth,” showing that it is a state of being, rather than a love because of a particular issue. John’s love extends beyond one point and is an all-encompassing fraternal love which is grounded in truth.

John will use the term “truth” six times in this short letter. He will also use the adjective form “true” once as well. His stress on this word is to show the contrast between Gaius and those like him, and on another person whom John will single out for his evil ways.

Life application: As we go through this short letter, we are going to get a good idea of the workings of the church at this early stage in Christianity and about the problems they faced even then.

Some of these problems are still being faced today. One of the problems is discontent among those within the body leading towards animosity. We can tell this even from this first verse. John uses an emphatic “I” in this verse, implying that there were those who were at enmity with Gaius.

John was stressing, in essence, that “even though others don’t love you, I (stated boldly) do.” And why was there this bond of love? Because of walking in truth, meaning the doctrine of Jesus Christ when properly taught and accepted. John loved those who received the truth. The implication is that he had no love for those who didn’t or those who taught it falsely.

Let us take the Bible in its proper context when dealing with such issues as Christian love.

Each day, Lord, we look with anticipation at the coming wisdom when we pick up your word to read it again. We cherish the treasures of insight You have placed there. May we properly handle Your word so that You will be glorified, and so that we will be found truthful in our lives and doctrine. What more could a soul desire than this! Amen.

Thursday, 2 July 2020

The Book of 3 John; an Introduction.

The book of 3 John is the 64^th book of the Bible, and it is comprised of 1 chapter of 14 verses. A verse-per-day evaluation of 3 John will take two weeks to complete.

The authenticity was disputed by some early church figures, such as Origen and Eusebius, but it was declared authentic by others, such as Cyril of Jerusalem and Jerome. The council of Nicaea denied its authenticity. However, the council of Hippo, and both councils of Carthage declared it as authentic.

John is the Apostle John. He is held to be the author of the Gospel of John; 1, 2, and 3 John; and the book of Revelation. He is highlighted in the gospels as being one of an inner circle who most closely associated with Jesus. This also included Peter and John’s brother, James. In the gospel which bears his name, he refers to himself as the disciple “whom Jesus loved” (for example, see John 13:23).

Like the books of 1 & 2 John, no writer is specifically identified as being the author of 3 John. Rather, (like 2 John) only the title, “The Elder,” is given in the first verse. However, similarities in writing style, as well as the brevity of the letter, give a strong hint that he is, in fact, the same author of both epistles.

The letter is addressed to “the beloved Gaius.” John will say of him, “whom I love in the truth.” John will mention “truth” six times, and that his testimony is “true” one time as well. Like his other letters, the subject of the truth of the Person and work of Jesus Christ is at the forefront of his thoughts.

Despite being “the Apostle of Love,” John has no time for heretics or self-promoters, and clearly identifies the consequences of such views, directly naming one miscreant within the congregation.

The dating of the letter is reasonably assumed to be around the same time as for that of 2 John – from the mid-80s to the mid-90s.

The main theme of 3 John is “Emphasizing the demonstration of truth or error in the believer’s life.” Thus, the main purpose of the epistle is “To commend, encourage, and instruct his good friend Gaius.” A secondary, contrasting, theme concerns the severe error of a person in the church named Diotrephes who should not be emulated.

Of special note concerning 3 John is that it is the only book of the New Testament to not directly state the name “Jesus.” The word “God” is used three times, and the church is mentioned explicitly (three times) and implicitly throughout the epistle. The only certain reference to Jesus is found in verse -7 where it refers to “the Name.”

It is thus a clue that the letter has been sent in a time of persecution. It may then provide an explanation for the term, “the elect lady,” in 2 John which seems likely to be referring to the church. John was careful to state things in a way that would protect the readers if the letter was acquired by someone who was hostile to the church and to the name of Jesus Christ.

The main presentation of Christ in the epistle is “Jesus Christ, the Way.”

A short review of the book includes the following –

Author – The Apostle John.
Date – Mid 80s to mid 90s.
Theme – Emphasizes the demonstration of truth or error in the believer’s life.
Purpose – To commend, encourage, and instruct his good friend Gaius.
Presentation of Christ – The Way.

A limited outline of the book would be –

The Book of 3 John – Walking in the Truth

Book Superstructure  

• Truth – the walk of truth.

Book Structure           

• Personal letter.

Book Outline

• Walking in the truth; rejecting what is evil.

Life application: We hope that you will spend the next 14 days of your life learning the book of 3 John, one verse at a time. From there, we hope you will apply its truths to your life, molding yourself more each day into being a faithful and wholehearted follower of Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father.

Lord God, how wonderful it is to see Your hand on display throughout the books of the Bible. In each, we can learn more about You, about Your desire for our right living, and how we can be pleasing to You by living in accord with that. And so, help us to have wisdom and discernment, and to pursue You and Your will all the days of our lives. Amen.

Wednesday, 1 July 2020

The children of your elect sister greet you. Amen. 2 John -13

John now makes a change in his address from the previous verse. The two verses are presented in the following manner –

Having many things to write to you (2^nd person plural), I did not wish to do so with paper and ink; but I hope to come to you (2^nd person plural) and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.

The children of your (2^nd person singular) elect sister greet you (2^nd person singular). Amen.

First, in not mentioning the “elect sister” in the greeting there are various ideas. One is that the elect sister is either deceased or absent at the time. The other is that the “elect sister” is actually a church body. Therefore, the greeting is coming from those of the church who form the body.

This would be the same as if the “elect lady” of verse 1 is a church body. But then why make the change to the singular if it is addressed to a church and not an individual? It seems unlikely. However, the same type of change from the singular to the plural is found in Moses’ words when addressing Israel in Deuteronomy 4, for example.

There, it is certain that he is speaking to all, but at times it is focusing on individual responsibility within the whole, and at times, it is focusing on collective responsibility of the whole. The change here could be the same. It does not answer definitively whether the elect lady (and the elect sister) is a church or an individual, but neither option is excluded.

Either way, and because of this, John’s words can be used as a template for writing to either individuals or a group. The main idea to be gained from his words is that the focus of the believer is to be on Jesus Christ, but it must be Jesus Christ as he is portrayed in Scripture – God incarnate. Nothing else can be considered acceptable to identify a true believer. Greetings between individuals and churches are only to be extended to those of the true faith.

It would not be acceptable for a church that accepts Jesus Christ as God incarnate to write a letter to a Jehovah’s Witnesses congregation saying, “We greet you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” The Lord of one is not the same as the “Lord” of the other. Likewise, a single believer in Jesus Christ should not write such a letter to an apostate individual or group, greeting him or them in such a way.

Fraternal greetings within the context of the faith must only be made to those who are grounded in the same proper faith. With this understood, John closes with “Amen,” or “so be it” and “truth.” Though some manuscripts do not include this, it is probably rightly included in the letter. The word beautifully closes out this short but important letter from the hand of John.

Life application: From the pen of the heartfelt and beloved apostle of the Lord Jesus, we have searched the intimate words of John to “the elect lady and her children.” We can be pleased that God kept the nature of the true recipient from us so that we can use this letter as a guide when addressing individuals or church bodies.

Take time to re-read the letter one more time before you finish your study today, and think on the layout and theme of it. In the future, try to use it as a guideline when writing on similar issues. If this is a part of the Bible, then it is approved of God in both style and content.

Closing out with the word “Amen,” or “truth,” makes a nice touch. Truth has been the very focus of the letter. Where truth is, there will be no tendency to demonstrate love without correction – something John has carefully pointed out. Love without truth is ultimately a condemning love. Let us remember this as we speak and write about the truth of God’s plan for humanity.

Lord Jesus, what a treat it is to study and think on the depth of Your precious word. You have given it for our edification. Each day we read it, we feel so edified. We peer into its love and truth, and come away with a deeper knowledge of what touches Your very heart. Until You come for us, may we always demonstrate love, but may it be a love which is combined with truth. Amen.

Tuesday, 30 June 2020

Having many things to write to you, I did not wish to do so with paper and ink; but I hope to come to you and speak face to face, that our joy may be full. 2 John -12

John’s short letter begins its closing remarks here, and it is in a manner which is very similar to his next letter, 3 John. He begins with, “Having many things to write to you.” It is an indication that John had a lot on his mind, but either time, strength, or maybe caution because of the sensitive nature of what he desired to say, precluded him from putting his thoughts down. For whatever reason, he cut his thoughts short.

He then next says, “I did not wish to do so with paper and ink.” The words “to do so” are supplied by the translators, supposedly for clarity. However, they then make the verse illogical. The two thoughts would show someone not thinking clearly –

“I have a whole bunch to write to you, but I don’t want to do so with paper and ink.” “What are you going to write with then? Crayons and a plank of wood?”

Rather, John is saying, “I had a lot to write to you, but I purposed not with paper and ink.” It shows that despite having the desire to write, he decided that putting his words to paper and ink was not the best means of conveying what he desired to say.

As a point of interest, the word translated as “paper” is chartés. It is found only here in Scripture. Vincent’s Word Studies explains the word –

“The Egyptian papyrus or byblus, Cyperus papyrus, anciently very common, but not now found within the limits of the country. It is a tall, smooth flag or reed, with a large triangular stalk, containing the pith which furnished the paper. The paper was manufactured by cutting the pith into strips, arranging them horizontally, and then placing across them another layer of strips, uniting the two layers by a paste, and subjecting the whole to a heavy pressure. The upper and middle portions of the reed were used for this purpose. The fact that the plant is no longer found is significant in connection with Isaiah’s prophecy that “the flags (Hebrews suph, papyrus) shall waste away” (Isaiah 19:6). The plant grew in shallow water or in marshes, and is accordingly represented on the monuments as at the side of a stream or in irrigated lands. The Jews wrote on various materials, such as the leaves of the olive and palm, the rind of the pomegranate, and the skins of animals. The tablet (πινακίδιον, Luke 1:63) was in very common use. It consisted of thin pieces of wood, strung together, and either plain, or covered with papyrus or with wax.”

The word translated as “ink” is melan. It literally means “black.” This is its third and last use in Scripture. Again, Vincent’s says, “Ink was prepared of soot or of vegetable or mineral substances. Gum and vitriol were also used. Colored inks, red and gold, were also employed.”

John next says, “but I hope to come to you and speak face to face.” Whatever is on John’s mind is either not pressing enough to spend a lot of time writing, or it is too important or sensitive to be put into writing. Thus, it will have to wait until they can speak “face to face.” The Greek literally reads, “mouth to mouth.” As Paul uses the term, “face to face,” in 1 Corinthians 13:12, John’s words here should be translated as he says them, thus avoiding the confusion of having two separate thoughts translated in the same way.

Finally, John gives the reason for such an intimate discussion, saying, “that our joy may be full.” Here, the verb is a perfect participle. It is more rightly translated as, “having been completed,” or “filled full.” John is saying that fellowship in such matters is far more satisfying than simply putting thoughts on paper. Such thoughts can be misconstrued, fail to express proper emotion, and so on. It is evident from Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 7 that the words of his previous letter to those at Corinth had been taken in an unintended light. Because of this, he spent time and effort to ensure that things were properly understood. However, when speaking intimately, the joy of the conversation, and the surety that the discussion is fully understood, is always a blessing to the souls of those who participate in them.

Life application: It is apparent that John had a lot on his mind when he started writing but wearied of “paper and ink.” Instead, he decided to hold off on his thoughts until he could speak with the elect lady.

When John would meet up with the lady, he says their conversation would make his joy full. The way he says it brings about the thought of not only being full, but continuing to be filled, even to overflowing. He gives the same sentiment in 1 John 1:4 – “And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.” John had a passion for those he addressed, and it is apparent that he truly reveled in them and their company. We can learn a great deal from such an attitude as we relate to our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ – not only sharing time with them, but truly reveling in their company and sharing the close bond which is with our Lord and Savior.

Heavenly Father, what a joy it is to read your Word each day and to share in the personal thoughts of those who have written down the various passages of it. They are thoughts which deal with their relationships with You, with other people of faith, and how we also should interact between one another. Thank You for including these treasures in Your word. Amen.