Okay, let's be honest—when you think 'Bible book,' you probably imagine epic stories or long letters. 3 John is different. It feels like we're reading someone's personal mail (which we basically are).

The Story

The apostle John writes to his friend Gaius, who's known for his generous hospitality. John's thrilled that Gaius has been welcoming traveling Christian teachers into his home. But there's a problem: a church leader named Diotrephes. This guy loves being the top dog. He's not only refusing to welcome these teachers, he's kicking out anyone who does! John calls this out directly and says he'll deal with it when he visits. In contrast, he praises another man named Demetrius, who has a good reputation. That's the whole letter—a quick, urgent note about a church conflict.

Why You Should Read It

What grabs me about 3 John is how immediate it feels. There's no abstract theology here. It's about real people clashing over power and hospitality. Diotrephes isn't some cartoon villain; he's that person in every organization who confuses leadership with ownership. Gaius represents quiet, consistent kindness. In just a few sentences, we see the whole tension between institutional control and grassroots care. It's a reminder that faith communities have always struggled with personality and politics.

Final Verdict

This is for anyone curious about the messy, human side of early Christianity. If you like historical documents that feel personal, or if you've ever been part of a group where someone's ego caused problems, you'll see something familiar here. It's also perfect for Bible readers who usually skip the short letters—you can read it in two minutes and walk away with something to think about all day.