Salutation and Good Wishes

Third John is the shortest letter in the NT. The opening passage of 3 John identifies the writer and the reader, and includes, as was common in ancient personal letters, a health wish. Unlike 2 John, in which “the chosen lady and her children,” a local congregation, are addressed, 3 John was written to an individual. Third John 1, with its mention of love and truth, closely parallels 2 John 1, but the health wish (3 John 2) appears in place of the more traditional Christian greeting (2 John 3).

1  The author’s only identification of himself in the letters of John is The elder (cf. 2 John 1). This self-description literally means “old man,” but it was commonly used in early Christianity as a title for authoritative leaders and teachers (Acts 15:2, 4, 6, 22, 23; 20:1…