IT will appear, on a perusal of this Epistle, that it relates to some particular occurrences, the nature of which can only be inferred from the allusions which the Epistle itself contains. It is addressed to a disciple named Gaius, and is in behalf of certain brethren and strangers, whom the writer wished to commend to his hospitality and aid. Demetrius (v. 12) seems to be mentioned as one of these brethren or strangers; and a certain ambitious and aspiring member of the church, Diotrephes, (v. 9,) is censured for being unwilling that the church, with which he was connected, should receive and aid the persons referred to. Some of these names occur in the Acts, and in the other Epistles; but the persons here intended cannot be positively identified with any of the individuals mentioned in the other sacred writings; and there seems to be no allusion elsewhere to the circumstances which furnished the occasion for this Epistle.

      1. Gaius. Several persons of the name of Gaius are mentioned--one of Macedonia, (Acts 19:29,) one of Derbe, (20:4,) and one of Corinth, (1 Cor. 1:14,) which last is the same, probably, with the one whom Paul mentions as his host at Corinth. (Rom. 16:23.) There is no evidence in respect to the identity of either of these with the one to whom this Epistle is addressed.

      6. Before the church; that is, as it would seem, before the church over which John presided, which is generally supposed to have been the church at Ephesus. [545]

      7. Taking nothing of the Gentiles. This expression indicates that the persons referred to were preachers of the gospel who went forth to the Gentiles, but who wished to depend for support upon their Christian brethren.

      9. Unto the church; to the church where Gaius resided.--Receiveth us not; did not regard the instructions which John had given; perhaps intercepted and suppressed the letter.

      10. Casteth them out of the church, excludes them from the friendly aid and hospitality of the church.

      12. Demetrius; named, apparently, as one of the brethren above referred to. [546]

[AINT 545-546]