_The elder unto the well-beloved Gaius._ SOME FIRST CENTURY CHURCH MEMBERS It has been said that in the drama of life the scenery shifts and the draperies change, but the plot is the same and the characters the same. This is true; and because of this the most ancient history is in its essentials t... [ Continue Reading ]
_Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth._ “GAIUS THE BELOVED” I. Deprivation. Gaius was deprived of physical health. John’s prayer for him implies that his affliction was severe, that it was not a mere passing ailment. For the present... [ Continue Reading ]
_I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee._ Beautiful is the picture presented in this verse. Here we have brethren engaging in Christian intercourse, ascertaining each other’s moral condition, and taking a deep and living interest in all that pertains t... [ Continue Reading ]
_I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth._ THE CHRISTIAN WALKING IN THE TRUTH This is little more than a repetition of a declaration made by the apostle in the foregoing epistle. He is addressing there a pious mother, and he congratulates her on the spiritual prosperity o... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers._ ALLEGIANCE TO THE FAITH In these few words the sum and substance of the Christian life are placed before us. They convey to us that he who was addressed was simply loyal to truth and loyal to duty, whilst this, the loy... [ Continue Reading ]
_For His name’s sake they went forth._ CHRISTIAN MISSIONS I. The motive, conduct, and disinterestedness of missionaries. 1. Their motive: “for His name’s sake”--for Christ’s service. 2. Their conduct: “they went forth.” With the gospel in his hand and the Saviour in his heart he makes his way th... [ Continue Reading ]
_Diotrephes, who loveth to have the pre-eminence._ DIOTREPHES Besides the light which this brief Epistle casts on the state of the Christian Church toward the close of the first century, it presents us with “the portraits in little” of three remarkable men--Demetrius, Diotrephes, and Gaius. We are... [ Continue Reading ]
_Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good._ EVIL NOT TO BE IMITATED Evil is soon imitated, especially in great persons; they are a countenance to it; their actions seem to be laws. Such a great man swears profanely. Why may not I swear too? No; follow not that which is evil i... [ Continue Reading ]
_Demetrius hath good report of all men._ THE CHRISTIAN CHARACTER WILL STAND EVERY TEST 1. The test of public opinion. All men had a good word for Demetrius. But there are antipathies in the worldly mind; how, then, can we expect an unbiassed judgment? We answer that truth must vanquish error as th... [ Continue Reading ]
_I trust I shall shortly see thee._ THE SWEETNESS OF CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP 1. Its foundation--peace. This is the bond of the Christian community. It cannot exist without concord. Divisions drive away the Spirit of God, and open the door for envy and malice. 2. Its sacredness--not with ink and pen.... [ Continue Reading ]