Hospitality - A Ministry of Truth

3 John 5–8 (NIV),

⁵ Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers and sisters, even though they are strangers to you. ⁶ They have told the church about your love. Please send them on their way in a manner that honors God. ⁷ It was for the sake of the Name that they went out, receiving no help from the pagans. ⁸ We ought therefore to show hospitality to such people so that we may work together for the truth.

2 John warns about welcoming false teachers.  3 John is an encouragement to Gaius for his hospitality to the right people. "John commends Gaius for receiving traveling Christian teachers with hospitality . . . Those who proclaim the message and those who encourage and support them work together in serving the truth." [1]  These traveling believers were sent out "for the sake of the Name." "Refers to the name of Christ (see 1 John 2:12; 3:23; 5:13). This is a mark of their worth and identifies them with the Christian evangelistic movement of the first century." [2]

"The admonition to send them on their way "in a manner worthy of God" shows the supreme importance assigned to hospitality. The phrase probably means that the traveling brothers were to be recognized as servants of God and supported as such. In such instances, Christians were to provide hospitality as if the Lord himself were being welcomed (cf. John 13:20; Gal 4:14-15; Heb 13:2)." [3]

Of course hospitality was required of all Christians (Matthew 10:10; Romans 12:13; 1 Timothy 3:2; 5:10; Hebrews 13:2); and not expected from the "pagans" or non-Christians. The Greek word used here ( ἐθνικῶν), usually means Gentiles, but here it means non-Christians.  An interesting point can be made that "such usage indicates that the Christian community (made up of ethnic Jews and Gentiles) had come to see itself as the new Israel." [4]

God’s people have the privilege and responsibility to support God’s workers. But John doesn't leave it there.  He says "so that we may work together for the truth."  There is a role for everyone in the outreach efforts of the Church.  Even those who offer hospitality become partners in this "truth-giving mission."  

Father, hotels, motels, and RVs have all started to take the place of this First Century hospitality. What a blessing, as I recall the many preachers and missionaries that my parents showed the welcome sign to.  Today we live in bigger homes and we have more resources.  Grant Father that there be an openness, a welcome mat placed at the door for all of Your servants to see.  May the Church not lose the passion to welcome strangers into our homes.  What a practical and possible way to serve You and others in the work of Truth.

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1.Whitlock, L. G., Sproul, R. C., Waltke, B. K., & Silva, M. (1995). The Reformation study Bible: Bringing the light of the Reformation to Scripture: New King James Version (3 Jn 5). Nashville: T. Nelson.

2. Barry, J. D., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Mangum, D., & Whitehead, M. M. (2012). Faithlife Study Bible (3 Jn 7). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.

3. Expositor's Bible Commentary, The, Pradis CD-ROM:3 John/Exposition of 3 John/III. Commendation for Gaius's Hospitality (5-8), Book Version: 4.0.2

4. Whitlock, L. G., Sproul, R. C., Waltke, B. K., & Silva, M. (1995). The Reformation study Bible: Bringing the light of the Reformation to Scripture: New King James Version (3 Jn 7). Nashville: T. Nelson.