3 John

In 2 John, we are told to not welcome travelling false teachers into the church. In 3 John, Gaius is praised for his hospitality toward itinerant or travelling teachers. However, an abusive leader named Diotrephes had the practice of banishing these travelling teachers from his church—especially those sent from the apostle John. So, while Gaius was welcoming travelling teachers (3 Jn 6), Diotrephes was excommunicating them. Therefore, these two letters are two sides of the same coin: In 2 John, we should reject false teachers, and in 3 John, we are told to confront those who reject true teachers (e.g. Diotrephes). In this short letter of 219 words, we receive insight “concerning the life and tensions of an early Christian community.” John explains how to handle abusive leaders like Diotrephes.