3 John

The third letter from John is a short letter, which, like 1 John and 2 John, is attributed to the apostle John. In certain respects, these three letters fit well with the Gospel according to John.

3 John is addressed to someone called Gaius. The author praises his faith, love and faithfulness. He has welcomed itinerant brothers and will, “the Elder” hopes, continue to support them.
He does this better than Diotrephes, who wants to hold a position of power in the congregation he belongs to. He does not welcome the brothers whom “the Elder” sent, and even excludes from the church those who do want to welcome them. In verse 12 the author commends a certain Demetrius. We know nothing further about him; perhaps he was one of those carrying the letter.

Unlike the first letter from John, 2 and 3 John have the characteristics of a genuine letter.