Theme - We have no way of identifying the "Gaius" addressed; it could have been Gaius of Macedonia, a companion of Paul on his second missionary journey (Acts 19:29); Gaius of Derbe (Acts 20:4); Gaius of Corinth, Paul's host while in that city (Rom. 16:23; 1Cor. 1:14); or some other Gaius.

The Gaius to whom John writes was a member of some church to which John had sent itinerant ministers; but, Diotrephes, apparently an influential member of that church and one who had assumed unusual and unchristian ecclesiastical authority, has spoken against the apostle and refused to receive the ministers sent. His chief reason seems to have been selfish ambition for pre-eminence and rule. This undue assumption caused John to emphasize the importance of "standing for the Truth."

Outline - The analysis is simple: I. Salutation (Vrs. 1-4) II. Commendation of Gaius (Vrs. 5, 6a) III. Encouragements for a Continuation of the Christian Attitude (Vrs. 6b-8) IV. Complaint against the Domineering Diotrephes (Vrs.9, 10) V. Commendation of Demetrius (Vrs. 11, 12) VI. Hope for an Early Visit to Gaius (Vrs. 13,14)