Articles
“No Greater Joy”
1 The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth. 2 Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul. 3 For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified to your truth, as indeed you are walking in the truth. 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. 5 Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are, 6 who testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God. 7 For they have gone out for the sake of the name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. 8 Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.
3 John 1:1-8
The apostle John (“the elder”) was overjoyed that his “beloved Gaius” was “walking in the truth.” A band of traveling Christians (“the brothers” 3, 5) had witnessed Gaius’ “truth” (3) and “love” (6) firsthand in the hospitality they received from him. Hospitality was and is an important expression of the Christian faith (Rom. 12:13; Heb. 13:2; 1 Pet. 4:9). John encouraged Gaius to continue in this “faithful” work (6), lest Diotrephes bully him into changing his open door policy for traveling evangelists (9).
Not only are faithful Christian preachers to be received well when they arrive, they must also be refreshed and provided for. This is what John means by sending them onto the next stage of their journey “in manner worthy of Lord.” Ambassadors of Christ (2 Cor. 5:20) must be treated accordingly. John further stirs up Gaius’ love by telling him his hospitality is both a “faithful” thing and a “beautiful” thing (“you will do well” = literally, “you will do beautifully/excellently”).
John received such genuine delight in Gaius’ Christian conduct because of his fatherly affection for him — “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” (4) What brings you the greatest joy?
What brings us joy telegraphs the values of our heart. For John, it was seeing the next generation of Christians coming along in faithfulness. It was seeing them “walking in the truth.” Parents are privileged to see this in their children. Just this week, Rachael and I slept in a bit and woke to the sounds of Simon and Nora doing their chores. As we descended the stairs, still rubbing the sleep out of our eyes, Simon was emptying the dishwasher and Nora handed me a cup of steaming coffee. I was so full of gratitude and joy in that moment I was at a loss for words.
It is a unique wonder to see concrete evidence of “truth” residing in those you have invested so much. This is especially true for those whom we have labored to teach the gospel. When we patiently and consistently teach someone the truth about Jesus, a special bond is created between you. You come to think of them as Paul did the Christians in Philippi, “my joy and crown… my beloved.” (Phil. 4:1)
My joy — People you have helped convert or have guided in the faith become a source of gladness in your life. They are living reminders that the gospel really is as powerful as God says (Rom. 1:16). Their loyalty to Jesus validates your efforts in the Lord. They are living epistles not written with ink but with God’s Spirit (2 Cor. 3:2-3) because you see the evidence of God working in them, transforming them and strengthening them.
My crown — People you have invested in spiritually by helping them to know the Lord are more than a source of joy, they are a crown we proudly adorn. We have pride not in ourselves or in our effort (for we labor by grace, 1 Cor. 15:10), but in God and his work, “for it is God who works in [them], both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” (Phil. 2:13) The glory of every teacher is his students. As Paul says, ministers are “God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building.” (1 Cor. 3:9) The continued faithfulness of those we teach is the evidence that we laid the right foundation and were careful in our building upon it (1 Cor. 3:10-11).
My beloved — These special Christians become highly esteemed in our hearts. They are precious to us, like little children. And how we love to see those we love mature in Christ and overcome difficulty. And how much more joy do we feel when these same dear friends begin teaching others on their own. Truly, we have no greater joy than to hear that our children are walking in the truth.
Do you have that kind of joy in your life? Jesus wants you to experience it but it’s the kind of joy you can’t get for free. Like most worthwhile things, you have to invest yourself in the work of teaching others the gospel. So get that neighborhood Bible study started, reach out to that interested colleague, help that brother or sister who is struggling in their faith. If you never do, you will miss out on the greatest joy there is.
