3 John 1 Devotional

A Welcome Worthy of God

“Therefore we ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers for the truth.”3 John 1:8 (BSB)

The elder writes to his dear friend Gaius with obvious delight. Travelers have reported that Gaius walks in the truth, and nothing gives the elder greater joy than hearing that his children do so (1:3-4). Gaius has welcomed traveling believers he did not even know, and the elder asks him to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God (1:5-6). They went out for the sake of the Name and took nothing from unbelievers (1:7), so supporting them makes Gaius a partner in the truth (1:8).

The letter also names a sad contrast. Diotrephes loves to be first, refuses to welcome these believers, spreads malicious talk, and even throws out those who would help them (1:9-10). The elder's counsel is simple: do not imitate evil, but good, because whoever does good is from God (1:11). Hospitality in this letter is not an extra for the especially generous. It is done in a way worthy of God, for people who went out for his Name, and it makes ordinary believers partners in his truth.

To think about: Who could you welcome or support this week as a way of sharing in God's work?