CHAPTER ONE

 

 

1:1:  “The elder” = Interesting that John refers to Himself here as being an “elder,” although he was an Apostle.  However, we find the Apostle Peter doing the same (1Pe. 5:1).  Also, this is typical of John attempting to disguise himself in order to bring out Jesus more.

 

“Gaius” = Not that “Gaius” who was of the Apostle Paul’s host (Rom. 1623), for though their characters agree, being both hospitable men, yet neither the place nor time in which they lived were the same.  There were thirty or forty years difference between them.  The Apostle Paul’s “Gaius” lived at Corinth, some place near to Ephesus, for the Apostle in his old age purposed to come and see him shortly.  Whereas, the other was contemporary with John, because the Corinthian “Gaius” was baptized by Paul, and was doubtless one of his spiritual children, or converts.  Whereas this “Gaius” was one of the Apostle John’s spiritual children (3Jo. 1:4).

 

“Gaius” is the Greek mode of writing the Roman name “Caius,” and as such, it should be rendered that way in European languages.  Several persons of the name of “Caius” occur in the New Testament:  Acts 19:29; 20:4; Romans 16:23; First Corinthians 1:14.

 

The Letter is addressed to “Gaius.”  But whether it is addressed to the Christian of that name in Macedonia (Acts 19:29), or in Corinth (Rom. 16:23), or in Derbe (Acts 20:4) is uncertain.

 

1:1-2:  “wellbeloved. . . love. . . Beloved” = Note the three derivatives of the word “to love,” which are used in verses 1 and 2, are used to describe John’s relation to Gaius.

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