Open Doors and Closed Minds: A Tiny Letter with a Big Message
Today I read 2 John and 3 John—two of the shortest books in the Bible, each written as a letter. Both feel deeply personal, but 3 John especially caught my attention because it focuses on something surprisingly practical: hospitality.
The Hero Who Hosted
In 3 John, the author praises a man named Gaius for showing kindness to traveling teachers. These visitors were likely early Christian missionaries who depended on the generosity of others for food and shelter. The writer says, “You are being faithful to God when you care for the traveling teachers who pass through, even though they are strangers to you” (3 John 1:5, NLT). Hospitality here is described not just as politeness, but as an expression of loyalty and integrity.
It’s interesting that the letter also mentions another man, Diotrephes, who refuses to welcome these same travelers and even forbids others from doing so. The contrast between Gaius and Diotrephes turns hospitality into a moral issue. The text doesn’t say Diotrephes was violent or dishonest—his failing is that he closed his doors. That small act of exclusion becomes enough to define his character.
Ancient Airbnb Etiquette
Hospitality in the first century carried a different weight than it does today. Offering someone a meal or a bed could mean safety, connection, and survival. It wasn’t a gesture of convenience; it was a vital social duty. In that context, Gaius’s willingness to welcome strangers shows courage and generosity. Diotrephes, on the other hand, seems to be guarding his own control and reputation—perhaps afraid that welcoming others might threaten his position.
The passage made me think about how hospitality functions now. In most modern cultures, hosting someone isn’t a test of moral character in the same way. Yet the idea of hospitality can go beyond our homes. It can mean being open to others’ ideas, giving time to people who need it, or creating space for new voices. There are parallels in workplaces, online communities, and even friendships—places where we choose to make room or not.
Gaius, Diotrephes, and the Office Potluck
There’s also an undercurrent of tension in the letter that feels very human. The writer sides with Gaius, calling him a good example, and warns against following Diotrephes. The dynamic resembles any small community or organization where someone tries to welcome outsiders while another person resists change. It highlights how personal motives and power struggles can shape the moral tone of a group.
What stands out most about 3 John is that it isn’t grand or dramatic. It’s a letter about how people treat one another. The story doesn’t revolve around miracles or prophecy—it centers on something ordinary but meaningful: how to behave toward others when no one is watching. In that sense, it captures something universal. Whether or not one shares the author’s faith, the letter reflects a basic question of social life: when faced with the unfamiliar, do we open the door or close it?