\\INTRODUCTION TO 3 JOHN\\

This epistle was written by the Apostle John, who calls himself an
"elder", as in the preceding, and is inscribed to a friend of his,
whom he mentions by name, and expresses a very great affection for, on
account of his steady adherence to the truths of the Gospel, \\#3Jo 1:1\\;
he wishes him bodily health equal to that prosperity of soul he was
indulged with, \\#3Jo 1:2\\; congratulates him upon the testimony
the brethren that came from him gave him of the truth being in him,
and of his walking in it, and upon hearing that his children also
trod in the same path, \\#3Jo 1:3,4\\; commends him for his hospitality
and charity, of which testimonies were given before the church; and
encourages him to go on doing the same acts of beneficence, since it
was to such persons that went forth for the sake of Christ, and
preaching in his name, and had nothing of the Gentiles for so doing;
wherefore they ought to be received, and entertained by those of
ability, that they might be fellow helpers to the truth with them,
\\#3Jo 1:5-8\\. He complains of Diotrephes as a proud, haughty, and
overbearing man in the church, where Gaius was a member, who would
neither receive the letters the apostle sent, nor the brethren that
came with them; nay, forbid them that would, and cast them out of
the church for it, and prated against them with malicious words,
whom he threatens to remember when he himself should come thither,
\\#3Jo 1:9,10\\; wherefore he exhorts Gaius not to follow such an ill
example, but that which is good in any person; since he that does
good appears to be of God, and he that does evil, it looks as if he
had never known him, \\#3Jo 1:11\\. And particularly he recommends
Demetrius, who had a good report of all men, and of the truth
itself, and had a testimony from the apostle, and those that were
with him, which was known to be a true one, \\#3Jo 1:12\\. But though he
had many things to say, both of one, and of the other, he determines
to write no more at present, hoping he should shortly see him, and
personally converse together; and closes the epistle with his own
good wish, and with mutual salutations of friends, \\#3Jo 1:13,14\\.