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Authorship and Date
R.W. Orr holds to the once universal belief that I John, II John and III John and the works of the Gospel of John and Revelation, are written by the Apostle John. Orr (1986: 1571).
He reasons that the evidence from I-III is not based on a definite in-text claim but from 'the ancient testimony of the Church'. Orr (1986: 1571).
There is another view that the books could be from a 'Johannine School' as presented by New Testament scholar, Donald Guthrie in New Testament Introduction of 1962. Orr (1986: 1571).
After the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, John departed for residence in Ephesus (1571); the island of Patmos being nearby. Orr (1986: 1571). Orr reasons these works were written within the about thirty years after the AD 70 events.
Robert Gundry, dates III John late 80s or early 90s A.D. (page 364).
Text
The letter is addressed to the elder Gaius (1571) and unlike II John this letter has an explicit recipient. Encountering (2013: 352).
Gaius is a convert of John and is commended for his faithful walk in the truth (3-4) and for his hospitality and support for Christian workers, missionaries and evangelists (8). Encountering (2013: 352).
He is contrasted, it appears with Diotrephes that is not willing to work with other Christian workers, 'gossips, rejects John's advice and expels from the church those who seek to help those laboring to further the true gospel (9-10)'. Encountering (2013: 352).
Apparently, this is a matter of ego, as he 'wants to be first' (352). Demetrius, on the other hand, has a good reputation (352).
The Biblical author states that further communication would be better served taking place in person.
III John is a short text and is often overlooked in importance as I result I would reason.
However, as far as application is concerned, theologically it can be seen that within the book there is perhaps the 'classic' if we take Christian history forward, example of a Christian worker that is true to the Scripture and Biblical authority. In the case of Gaius, who was taught personally by John.
There is also the example of Diotrephes that does not want to follow the teachings of the Apostle John. The Apostle with lofty credentials of being guided by the Holy Spirit to write Scripture and was a disciple of Jesus Christ, personally,
In the 21st century, this would be comparable to a Christian teacher, or pseudo-Christian teacher that for a variety of reasons, including ego, and perhaps wanting to be first, does not want to follow and teach Biblical, Scriptural teaching in context. This is not living and teaching under the submission of the Holy Spirit through the Bible.
It can be observed that III John, although a very short book, with a few audio listens, a read through and a few commentaries is quite theologically relevant today...
ELWELL, WALTER AND YARBROUGH, ROBERT W., Third Edition (2013) Encountering The New Testament, Grand Rapids, Baker Academic.
GUNDRY, ROBERT (1981) A Survey of the New Testament, Grand Rapids, Zondervan.
ORR, R.W. (1986) 'The Letters of John' in The International Bible Commentary, Grand Rapids, Zondervan.
