3 John

“Dear friend, don’t imitate what is bad but what is good...” - 3 John 11a CEB

The book of 3 John is one of the shortest books in the New Testament, but it carries surprising weight. It’s a personal letter from an elder to a man named Gaius, and it centers on something beautifully ordinary: hospitality. Gaius is commended for welcoming traveling teachers and believers, supporting their work, and embodying truth not just in belief but in action. 

In a world where early Christian communities depended on one another’s generosity, opening your home was no small thing. Faith wasn’t theoretical or just about orthodoxy and right thinking. Faith showed up in guest rooms, shared meals, and practical support.

But the letter also names tension. Diotrephes was a big fan of being first. He refused to welcome others and even pushed people out of the church who were offering that welcoming spirit. It’s a sharp reminder that ego and a me-first attitude can quietly undermine community. The contrast is striking: one person builds connection through generosity and another fractures it through control. The elder’s encouragement is simple and direct: do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The example we choose matters. Communities become shaped by the behaviors they tolerate and the models they elevate.

3 John invites us to examine the small spaces where faith becomes visible. Who do we make room for? Whose work do we support? Are we known for building tables or protecting our own? The letter ends with hope by reminding us that our faith is about relationships, not isolation. 

Sometimes the most profound spiritual practices are the most practical: open doors, shared resources, and the quiet decision to choose generosity over status. How can we each exercise our faith in the welcoming of one another?  - Allison