What does 3 John 1:6 teach about hospitality towards fellow believers? Setting the Scene • 3 John is a personal letter from the apostle John to Gaius, a faithful believer. • Traveling missionaries had visited Gaius, and they “testified” to his love before the church (v. 6). • John urges Gaius to keep extending that same hospitality. Key Text 3 John 1:6: “They have testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God.” Hospitality as Love in Action • “Your love” – Scripture equates genuine Christian love with tangible help (1 John 3:18). • Hospitality is not optional niceness; it’s an expected expression of brotherly love (Romans 12:13). • Love proven in private often becomes a testimony in public: the visitors reported Gaius’s care to the wider church. “In a Manner Worthy of God” • “Send them on their way” implies equipping travelers with food, lodging, funds, and encouragement (Titus 3:13). • “Worthy of God” sets the standard: treat fellow laborers as you would treat the Lord Himself (Matthew 25:40). • Excellence and generosity showcase God’s character far more than bare-minimum hospitality. Why Hospitality Matters • Advances the gospel—missionaries can travel farther, faster (Philippians 4:14-18). • Strengthens unity—hosts and guests share in each other’s work (3 John 1:8). • Fulfills direct biblical commands—Hebrews 13:2; 1 Peter 4:9. • Displays discernment—welcome those walking in truth while rejecting false teachers (2 John 1:10). Practical Expressions Today • Provide meals, lodging, and thoughtful care to visiting pastors, missionaries, and believers in transit. • Supply resources—gift cards, fuel money, printed materials, or needed gear. • Offer transportation, local guidance, and prayerful encouragement. • Follow up: letters, texts, and ongoing financial support keep the partnership alive. • Mobilize the whole church—hospitality teams, sign-up lists, and family hosting spreads the privilege around. Supporting Scriptures • Romans 12:13 – “Contribute to the needs of the saints and pursue hospitality.” • Hebrews 13:2 – “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some have entertained angels without knowing it.” • Galatians 6:10 – “Let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” • Matthew 10:40-42 – Receiving Christ’s messengers is receiving Christ Himself. Takeaway 3 John 1:6 teaches that hospitality toward fellow believers is a public testimony of love and must be carried out “in a manner worthy of God”—generously, honorably, and with an eye toward advancing the work of the gospel. |
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