3 John 1:3-4 meaning

John has heard report of how well the church was doing and it makes him glad.

John tells the believers receiving this letter how he came to know of their spiritual vitality. Brethren came and testified that they were walking in truth. This is how to have our soul prosper (verse 2). Embracing current reality enriches the soul. The Bible and the Spirit lead us to see what is real and true. John received a testimony from brethren who came to where John was and testified that the believers meeting at the house of Gaius were walking in truth. Why did these messengers come? Likely not to make that report only, but also to report on trouble in the church. John makes clear at the end of the letter that he expects to be there in person very soon. But the matter of bad leadership brought to him by the brethren who came and testified to John had sufficient urgency to require an immediate written response, likely sent back with the brethren who came and testified to John.

Biblical Text

For I was very glad when brethren came and testified to your truth, that is, how you are walking in truth. I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.

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Additional Resources

Book Theme

This brief letter of John was apparently written and sent in haste to counter the actions and teaching of Diotrephes. John had much more to say, but wrote that he planned to visit the recipient of his letter, Gaius, and would address in person the other topics he had in mind. Nevertheless, the actions of Diotrephes apparently required an urgent and immediate response.

Diotrephes was a self-serving leader who appears to have been creating a division in the church. He was not a servant leader, but was rather seeking to elevate himself above the other leaders. Further, he was forbidding the members of the church to be hospitable to traveling ministers who were ministering in the name of Jesus.

John confronts Diotrephes, while being careful not to make any of the same missteps. John does not appeal to his superior authority, but rather invites the local church to make their own decision based on the facts, the testimony of reliable people, and the truth of God.