Reading for November 9th

Read 3 John
In verse 1 the opening and closing mark this as a genuine letter.
The elder (see 2 Jn 1) addresses the beloved (see 2, 5, 11; 1 Jn 2.7; 3.2; 4.1, 7).
Gaius was a common Roman name (see Acts 19.29; 20.4; Rom 16.3; 1 Cor 1.14).
Just as the elder claimed to truly love the recipients of 2 John,
he now affirms his genuine love for Gaius.
In verse 2 prayers for the well-being of the recipient often follow the greeting.
In verses 3-4 the elder notes reports of the faithfulness of Gaius,
to whom he refers as one of his children, probably a convert.
Reference to walking in the truth (see 2 Jn 4) probably denotes the christological confession of faith.
In verses 5-8 supporters of the elder reported the hospitality (see 2 Jn 10-11; Titus 3.13)
shown by Gaius to the friends (literally brothers, see note a).
Hospitality shown to the supporters of the elder is said to make those who gave it co-workers
with the truth (compare 2 Jn 11).
In verses 9-10 the critique of Diotrephes signals a leadership struggle with the elder.
I have written something to the church is probably a reference to 1 John.
Diotrephes obviously rejected the teaching of 1 John.
He seems to have been a local leader with authority similar to that of the elder.
Just as the elder counseled the refusal of hospitality to his opponents, so Diotrephes
used his authority to enforce the refusal of  hospitality to supporters of the elder, the friends.
In verses 11-12 whoever does good is from God (see 1 Jn 2.29; 3.10; Mt 7.15-20).
Demetrius seems to have been a supporter of the elder.
Perhaps his credentials were challenged by Diotrephes and now the elder calls all
supporters to his aid.
Our testimony is true, see Jn 5.31-37; 19.35; 21.24.
In verses 13-15 the closing, like that of 2 Jn 12-13, asserts the priority of a face-to-face meeting over a lengthy letter (compare 1 Cor 16.19-20).
The greeting of peace, the Jewish greeting, sets 3 John apart from 1 and 21 John, as do the reciprocal greetings from friends (rather than children).
Comments or Questions...