Summary of the Book of 3 John
This summary of the book of 3 John provides information about the title, author (s), date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the Book of 3 John.
Author
The author is John the apostle. In the first verses of both 2 John and 3 John the author identifies himself as "the elder." Note other similarities: "love in the truth" (v. 1 of both letters), "walking in the truth" (v. 4 of both letters) and the similar conclusions. See Introductions to 1 John and the Gospel of John: Author.
Date
The letter was probably written about the same time as 1 and 2 John (a.d. 85-95). See Introduction to 1 John: Date.
Occasion and Purpose
See Introduction to 2 John: Occasion and Purpose. Itinerant teachers sent out by John were rejected in one of the churches in the province of Asia by a dictatorial leader, Diotrephes, who even excommunicated members who showed hospitality to John's messengers.