The International Bible Lesson (Uniform Sunday School Lessons Series) for Sunday, May 3, 2015, is from 3 John 1:1-15. This posting and podcast includes both the International Bible Lesson Commentary and the International Bible Lesson. The International Bible Lesson Commentary is now available in five different Bible translations on the International Bible Lessons Commentary (http://www.ouosu.com/IBLC/) website: these versions are the English Standard Version (ESV), King James Version (KJV), New American Standard Bible (NASB), New International Version (NIV), and the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).  Questions for Discussion and Thinking Further follow the verse-by-verse International Bible Lesson Commentary. The Study Hints for Discussion and Thinking Further discusses each of the Questions for Discussion and Thinking Further to help with class preparation and in conducting class discussion: these hints are available on the  International Bible Lessons Commentary (http://www.ouosu.com/IBLC/) website along with the International Bible Lesson that you may want to read to your class as part of your Bible study using the easy printable lesson. To help your class review the lesson, links to an easy printable Word Search Puzzle, a Crossword Puzzle, and a True and False Test are also available below. To listen to this commentary a podcast is available by subscribing (http://ouosu.com/biblelessonforum/?page_id=6113) and by clicking on the audio links here on the International Bible Lesson Forum.
International Bible Lesson Commentary
3 John 1:1-15
(3 John 1:1)  The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth.

John’s letter reveals the difference that one person can make for good or evil in the church and world. The only details about Gaius that we can learn are from this letter by John. John obviously loved Gaius in the Lord and as an exemplary and trustworthy Christian in the church, who as a leader did and would do what some refused to do. John gave a reason for his love of Gaius; they both loved the truth and lived in truth.

(3 John 1:2)  Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, just as it is well with your soul.

John knew that Gaius was spiritually mature and in a right relationship with Jesus Christ as his Lord, Whom Gaius loved and obeyed. Knowing Gaius was morally and spiritually healthy, John prayed for Gaius’ physical health and total well-being in all areas of his life. Since the letter was probably on a small scroll or because the letter followed the format of lengthy letters, the letter began by identifying the sender and a prayer for the named recipient that revealed something about their relationship.

(3 John 1:3)  I was overjoyed when some of the friends arrived and testified to your faithfulness to the truth, namely how you walk in the truth.

“The friends†was a respected name or title that John used in his letter to describe a group who came to visit him at his church. They came from the church where Gaius was respected by them. John knew that Gaius would be a reliable person to complete any assigned tasks, because Gaius was faithful to the truth and his way of life was consistent with the truth, especially as Jesus Christ was the truth. Witnesses testified to this with a testimony that could be accepted according to biblical standards or a court of law.

(3 John 1:4)  I have no greater joy than this, to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

John’s gospel and letters reveal the great joy he felt when he learned that a person or church were living consistent Christian lives; when they were learning the truth of Jesus Christ and the Christian faith and then conforming their thoughts, their spiritual life, and their everyday life in the world to the truth as quickly as they learned the truth.

(3 John 1:5)  Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the friends, even though they are strangers to you;