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.

Check out our other commentaries:

Exodus 7:1-7 meaning
This passage is the LORD’s response to the latest iteration of Moses using the excuse that he is not eloquent enough to talk to Pharaoh.......
Numbers 10:33-36 meaning
Numbers 10:33-36 gives an account of the first leg of the journey from Mount Sinai. It was a three-day trek. The ark led the way......
What is Hell? Hades and Tartarus in the Bible meaning
Hades/Sheol is a temporary holding place of the dead until the final judgment. Within Hades are two separated regions: a place of coolness and comfort......
Acts 7:1-8 meaning
The Sanhedrin asks Stephen if he is an enemy against the Temple and Moses. He begins his defense by teaching the history of Israel to......
Genesis 18:6-8 meaning
Abraham, the good host, quickly asks Sarah to prepare bread and asks a servant to prepare a calf to eat. He then brought his guests......

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.