Page 83 - General Epistles (James through Jude) Textbook

Those wayfarers were strangers. This most likely imply that they were not
known to Gaius but not so to elder John. Possibly, while they were going door-
to-door for evangelism, they happened to have passed through the residence of
Gaius. And Gaius, having assessed (or tested them [cf. 1 John 4:1-2]), he would
have observed that they were truly in the fellowship with the Triune God.
Further, elder John notes that their going out was for the sake of the Name.
That is, it was for the sake of Jesus Christ (cf. Acts 5:41; 9:16; 15:26; 21:13; Rom. 1:5). Hence, that would
have allowed him to welcome them. After being restored to their place of residence, possibly in the
same area where elder John was residing (or elder John new them), they reported the godly hospitality
rendered to them by Gaius. Elder John encouraged Gaius to send them on their way, most likely
“implying ‘the assumption of financial responsibility for the journey’ of departing missionaries. This is
probably the case. . . in other places, as here, it indicates to receive and entertain travellers . . . (Rom.
15:24; 1 Cor. 16:6, 11; 2 Cor. 1:16) and possibly to supply them with provisions when they leave.”
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Condemnation of Diotrephes (3 John 9-10).
Unlike Gaius who was praised for remaining faithful to the truth which was possibly taught by elder
John, evidenced by his exercise of that truth and hospitality he rendered to strangers, Diotrephes did
not welcome the truth. Even though he was likely a leader already, however, as if that was not enough,
he continued to pursue after being first (v9). He was possibly filled with pride and self-importance. By
not welcoming the truth, he simply did not accept the elders’ teachings. Second, he kept on spreading
malicious nonsense about elder John and possibly Gaius (v10b and the rest of those elder John
commended [cf. vv3-8, 12]). Third, Diotrephes kept on refusing to welcome other believers (v10c). Or he
continued to repel born-again strangers. Fourth, even worse, he continued to stop those who wanted to
offer hospitality to those who were born-again strangers (or brothers and sisters who were Christians
[v10d). If they insisted in their pursuant of offering hospitality to those brothers, Diotrephes would kick
them out of the church. No matter how disgusting were those actions by Diotrephes, it does not mean
that he “held some doctrinal error. Nor does it mean he was not a Christian. Instead, Diotrephes is guilty
of usurping a position in the church that belongs to Jesus alone.”
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Encouragement to Imitate what is Good (3 John 11-12).
Elder John encouraged Gaius not to practice (or live out) what is evil. What Diotrephes did was evil
(belonging to darkness [that is anything false or sinful]), but not good (belonging to light [that is anything
true, good, and holy]). But Gaius unlike Diotrephes, was doing what was good. Three witnesses were
backing the well-spoken of Demetrius. First, everyone who knew him spoke well of him. Second, Truth
(possibly Jesus Christ Himself [cf. John 14:6]) would bear the same testimony concerning the good
standing (or the well-spoken of) of Demetrius. Third, elder John (and possibly others) spoke well of him.

The Epistle According to Jude.

Author.
The letter itself makes its own claim that “Jude, a bond-servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James”
(Jude 1) possibly wrote the letter. “‘Jude’ in most English versions (Jude 1) translates the same Greek
word (’Ιουδάς [Ioudas]) also translated as ‘Judah’ and ‘Judas.’” There are five people named Judas in
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the NT; (1) Judas Iscariot, “Jesus’ betrayer” (Matt. 26:47-50; Mark 14:44-45; Luke 22:47-48; John 18:2),
(2) “Judas the Galilean,” and infamous revolutionary (Acts 5:37), (3) “Judas son of James,” one of the
twelve (Luke 6:16; Acts 1:13), (4) “Judas, also called Barsabbas,” an early Christian prophet (Acts 15:22,

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