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3 John — PBE 2027 Study Guide

Hospitality, integrity, and church politics.

John's personal note to his friend Gaius, commending faithful hospitality and rebuking the troublemaker Diotrephes.

Author

The Apostle John

Chapters

1 (14 verses)

Date written

c. AD 85–95

Audience

Gaius, a friend and fellow Christian

Key theme

Hospitality, integrity, faithful leadership

Notable passages

3 John 2–4, 5–8, 9–10

Overview

The Third Epistle of John is another very brief letter — 14 verses — written by the Apostle John to a faithful Christian named Gaius. The letter highlights three men: Gaius (commended for his hospitality to traveling missionaries), Diotrephes (rebuked for his pride and refusal to receive John's messengers), and Demetrius (commended as trustworthy). It gives a rare window into the practical life of the early church, including how missionaries were supported and how local church conflicts unfolded. The themes of walking in truth, generous hospitality, and humble leadership tie it closely to 1 John and 2 John.

Chapters

Browse each chapter for a study overview and sample practice questions:

Chapter 1

Sample Practice Questions

A small preview from the PBE Quizin database — the full set of questions for 3 John is available free to all signed-up users:

3 John ABC

According to the commentary of 3 John, (1 Point) Diotrephes was attempting to establish his ______.

3 John 1

According to 3 John 1:10, what four things does Diotrephes do? (4 points)

3 John ABC

True or False: According to the commentary of 3 John, (1 Point) on one side of the leadership crisis were the Apostle John (the elder), Gaius, and Demetrius.

3 John ABC

According to the commentary of 3 John, (1 Point) what had happened to most of the eyewitnesses to Jesus by the end of the first century A.D.?

3 John ABC

True or False: According to the commentary of 3 John, (1 Point) Gaius was attempting to establish his supremacy.

3 John 1

According to 3 John 1:3, True or False: The Elder rejoiced when brethren testified of the truth in Gaius as he walked in it. (1 point)

3 John ABC

According to the commentary of 3 John, a distinction between ______ and ______ is foreign to the New Testament. (For 2 points, give both)

3 John ABC

According to the commentary of 3 John, (1 Point) church leaders are not infallible and should not ______ to be so.

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