In terms of the number of verses and words, 3 John is indeed the shortest book in the Bible. This epistle contains only one chapter with 14 verses. While Obadiah is often mentioned as the shortest book in the Old Testament, 3 John holds the title for the shortest book in the entire Bible when considering the original Greek text's word count.
Click here to revisit our Blog Post on the shortest book, Obadiah in the Old Testament
An Overview of 3 John
Authorship and Historical Context
3 John is traditionally attributed to John the Apostle, the same author credited with the Gospel of John, 1 John, 2 John, and Revelation. This epistle, likely written in the late first century A.D., is a personal letter addressed to a Christian named Gaius.
Themes and Content
3 John focuses on themes of hospitality, truth, and Christian fellowship. John commends Gaius for his faithfulness and hospitality towards traveling Christian teachers. The letter also warns against Diotrephes, who opposes John and refuses to welcome other believers. Finally, John speaks positively of Demetrius, likely another Christian leader.
Theological and Practical Implications
The letter emphasizes the importance of supporting and welcoming those who work for the truth. It highlights the value of Christian hospitality as a practical expression of love and fellowship within the Christian community. Additionally, it addresses issues of authority, conflict, and the importance of personal integrity in church leadership.
An Entire Book of the Bible in One Day, Albeit the Shortest!
3 John 1:1-15 (ESV)
Greeting
1 The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth. 2 Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul. 3 For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified to your truth, as indeed you are walking in the truth. 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
Support and Opposition
5 Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are, 6 who testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God. 7 For they have gone out for the sake of the name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. 8 Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth. 9 I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority. 10 So if I come, I will bring up what he is doing, talking wicked nonsense against us. And not content with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers, and also stops those who want to and puts them out of the church. 11 Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God. 12 Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself. We also add our testimony, and you know that our testimony is true.
Final Greetings
13 I had much to write to you, but I would rather not write with pen and ink. 14 I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face. 15 Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends, each by name.
Conclusion
3 John, the shortest book in the Bible, offers a concise but profound insight into early Christian community life and values. Its emphasis on truth, love, and hospitality continues to be relevant for Christian practice and ecclesiology. Now that you have finished reading and studying 3 John, you only have 65 Books in the Bible left to read.
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