JULY 30, 2026 – STRANGERS

READ: 3 John 5–8: … your love … send them forward on their journey …

John gives attention to the way Gaius deals with brothers from the congregation, and especially with brothers he does not know: strangers. John says that in everything he does for them, he acts faithfully. John also bases this on what these men themselves have reported to him concerning Gaius’s love toward the congregation.

True love for God must extend to love for one’s neighbor, especially to brothers and sisters. But also to strangers, particularly when they too are brothers.

This hospitable love in action is the standard the Lord Jesus will apply at His judgment when He returns, Matt. 25:35,40: “For I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in … Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.”

Of these unknown brothers it is said: they “went forth for His name’s sake, taking nothing from the Gentiles” (v.7). They are apparently traveling evangelists or missionaries. They preach the gospel and sacrifice themselves for it. They desire to live only from the gospel.

John urges Gaius in verse 6 to help these brothers again, to equip them physically and spiritually with what is needed for their journey “in a manner worthy of God.” Also in this loving service, Gaius and the others must show that they belong to God (cf. Rom. 16:2; Eph. 4:1; Col. 1:10; 1 Thess. 2:12).

Verse 8 says that by receiving and helping such brothers in this way, we may become “fellow workers for the truth.” John includes himself in this general exhortation.

You are a fellow worker for the truth, among other ways, when you devote yourself in Christ’s service to the spread of the gospel or to supporting that work. In this way you serve the Truth—indeed, Christ Himself.

This instruction also applies to us.

How are we also fellow workers for the truth?
Singing: Ps. 37:2,10