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The Whosoever Study Bible
Whosoever will, may come.
the third general epistle of john
John the Apostle · c. 85–90 AD
Chapter the First

Two Men. Same Church. Opposite Responses.

The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth. 
Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. 
For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth. 
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. 
Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers; 
Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well: 
Because that for his name’s sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles. 
We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth. 
I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. 
Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church. 
Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God. 
Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true. 
I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee: 
But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name. 
DOCTRINAL VERDICT
TIER 1: WHICH ONE ARE YOU?

Third John gives you two men in the same Christian community with access to the same truth making opposite choices. Gaius receives traveling teachers and supports their work: Thread 1 working through ordinary hospitality. Diotrephes does the opposite: likes to put himself first, refuses to welcome teachers, spreads false accusations, throws out those who try to receive the brothers. Same community. Same truth. Completely opposite response. John does not theologize about Diotrephes. He simply names it: he is doing evil. Thread 4 in the smallest possible frame. The response is genuinely yours, and it shapes the mission of God either toward or away from the people who need to hear it.

Thread 4 in the Smallest Possible Frame: Gaius and Diotrephes
HOW TO USE
PROVISIONIST · DISPENSATIONAL · PRE-TRIBULATIONAL