Today’s passage: 3 John 5-8
Helpful thoughts:
- In 2 John, the elect lady needed encouragement to not welcome false teachers into her home. In 3 John, Gaius is commended for showing hospitality to true ministers of the Gospel.
- Gaius’ love was exemplified in the acts of kindness toward these men in their need. It encouraged not only these men, but all who became aware of it.
- Our love for one another in Christ is contagious. It benefits the whole body.
- The word “Gentiles” is being used in this context to refer to unbelievers. It would be a bad testimony for these men to be taking money from unbelievers considering the work they were doing. Christians ought to support the work as we serve together in a variety of ways to get the message to the world.
Questions to consider:
- In what ways are the actions of Gaius similar to what we would experience in our support of missionaries today?
- Why does it make sense for Christian people to be the ones financially supporting these ministries?
- What does it mean to go out “for the sake of the name”? How does the worship of Jesus bring joy to the people we reach with the Gospel message? (Psalm 67)