Truth

1 The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.

2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

3 For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth2 that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.3

4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.4

5 Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;

6 Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well:

7 Because that for his name's sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.

8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.5

9 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.

10 Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.

11 Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.

12 Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth6 itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true.7

13 I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee:

14 But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name.

3 John 1-14.

Truth is the hallmark of John’s letter to his friend Gaius. Truth is mentioned seven times in this one chapter letter.

John declares at the start that he loves the well beloved brother in Christ, Gaius, in truth. Evidently John was not the only person who loved Gaius. John loves him in truth.

In truth is defined, as a personal excellence; that candor of mind which is free from affectation, pretense, simulation, falsehood, deceit: sincerity of mind and integrity of character, or a mode of life in harmony with divine truth.

This relational love John speaks of is one to aspire to as a believer.

Then John addresses the truth that is in Gaius. Jesus is the Truth. Believers are His habitation. We carry the Gospel Truth.

And he in whom The Truth dwells will project Him in their life.

His truth will be visible in our speech and our actions. John calls that walking in truth.

Truth people will want to associate with other truthers. They will support the carriers of truth. They will be glad to partner with the truth.

People of the truth will be well spoken of by others. Even unbelievers will have to say, I may not agree with her, but she sure is different. The truth in us will speak loudly to the world.

Then there is reported truth. John is a reliable witness. Not a false witness. He personally and physically knew The Truth. John testified of the truth of Jesus in his Gospel. His two previous letters extend his veracity. We can count on what John is saying here about Demetrius, a fellow minister. With so much false information being disseminated in the world today, it is good to read a true report. -PJF-

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