Are you trying to get into the habit of reading your Bible more but don’t know where to start? Why not begin with the shortest book? This was my reason for exploring not just the shortest book in the Bible but the top 5 shortest books of the Bible, which I confidently finished in something like a week. This made me feel so confident and excited because I had accomplished reading multiple different books of the Bible in a short period of time. But what is so valuable about the Word of God is that no matter where you start, and no matter how short the passage, there is always unquantifiable value. This is what I’ve learned while reading the shortest books of the Bible.
Now, there are a few factors that play a role in deciding what the shortest book in the Bible is, due to the many translations. There’s the number of words, number of verses, and even the differences between the original Hebrew language and the English translations. For example, the book of Obadiah is considered to be the shortest book in the Hebrew Bible, but 3 John is regarded as the smallest book in the original Greek and most English translations because it has the shortest word count. This applies to many translations, including the King James Version and others.
Today, we’re going to explore the key themes in 3 John that are still relevant today and will help you grow on your spiritual journey. Here are 3 powerful lessons to learn from the shortest book in the Bible:
1. Strengthen Your Faith Through Communication with Fellow Believers
In 3 John, we see the value of communication among believers through John’s letter to Gaius. John writes to him after hearing about his generosity toward traveling missionaries. This letter highlights the essential role of communication in the Christian faith: to affirm others, give warnings, and share hope.
Affirming Others in Their Walk of Faith
Affirming others creates far greater joy than our society often recognizes. When people intentionally walk in faith, we know how challenging that journey can be. As they take the leap of faith to resist the devil’s influence, it is crucial that we, as their Christian community, uplift them and let them know we see their good works. This not only reflects God’s work in their lives but also serves as a blessing to everyone it touches.
Accountability Through Warnings
Through communication, we also see the vital need to give and receive warnings to avoid actions that displease God. The most important thing for us as Christians is to be servants of God by representing the love of God. As brothers and sisters in the faith, we have a responsibility to hold one another accountable so that we do not stumble.
This theme is evident in 3 John, where John writes not only to commend Gaius for his good work but also to warn against the ungodly behavior of Diotrephes. John describes Diotrephes as self-centered, unwelcoming, and malicious, bringing unjustified charges against others with evil words. This serves as a major theme, one you will continue to see in church history: being a member of a Christian community does not automatically make you a servant of God. The Christian life is about reflecting the love and character of God, not the selfishness of the world.
Sharing Testimonies to Maintain Hope
Lastly, through communication, we maintain hope by sharing testimonies within the Christian community. These testimonies serve as powerful reminders of how God is still actively working in our lives and leave a lasting impact on our perception and understanding of His abilities.
Too often, people forget that our dear friend Jesus Christ is a living God who died and rose again, defeating death. There is nothing He cannot do. If you haven’t seen or heard a miracle in a while, take a closer look at your surroundings and make an honest pivot toward Godly community. Choose to bring the good news of testimonies and miracles to others through the unique gifts God has given you.
2. Deepen Connections by Praying and Celebrating Good Works
“Dear friend, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, just as it is well with your soul. For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified to your truth, just as you are living according to the truth.”
– 3 John 1:2-3 (NET)
Throughout the entire Bible, God’s Word encourages us to pray for one another. Yet, many of us find this challenging because we often focus on negative aspects of life that discourage prayer. Instead of fostering hope, we can unintentionally fall into gossip, judgment, or hopelessness. In 3 John, however, we see a joyful example of how to pray for others with encouragement and victory.
John’s letter reminds us that when we find joy in God, we begin to value what He values. This shift in perspective helps us become genuinely enthusiastic about others living in the fullness of God’s truth. Our prayers move away from being centered on failure and instead become filled with joy, pride, and hope for what God is accomplishing in His people.
Praying for others becomes easier and more meaningful when we take delight in how God is working in their lives. As John rejoices in Gaius’ good works, we too can celebrate the faithfulness of those around us. This joy fuels our prayers, encouraging us to ask that their momentum continues, that they persevere in their walk, and that they experience God’s abundant blessings.
While it’s essential to pray for challenges, John’s letter reminds us to also pray with a spirit of victory rather than defeat. The key is to step outside of our own head and reflect on the incredible ways God is moving in the lives of others. By doing so, we not only strengthen our prayer life but also build a stronger Christian community rooted in joy and mutual encouragement.
3. Reflect God’s Love Through Support and Hospitality
“Dear friend, you demonstrate faithfulness by whatever you do for the brothers (even though they are strangers). They have testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God. For they have gone forth on behalf of ‘The Name,’ accepting nothing from the pagans. Therefore we ought to support such people, so that we become coworkers in cooperation with the truth.”
– 3 John 1:5-8 (NET)
I once heard Joyce Meyer share a story during a sermon about a group of church members who stayed overnight at someone’s house. They noticed how hard her mattress was and wanted to pray for her body, sleeping on such an uncomfortable surface. Joyce shared this story to teach an important lesson: we are here to be the blessing. Not everything requires a prayer or approval from God because we already know that our assignment is to take care of one another.
3 John reminds us of this assignment as John praises Gaius for his hospitality—not just to anyone but to strangers doing the work of God. How often do we harden our hearts to the work of God because the enemy has manipulated us into believing the body of Christ doesn’t need support? You hear people criticize how many churches exist in a neighborhood or make assumptions about a church’s finances based on the pastor’s appearance or the building’s size. These criticisms are often used to justify withholding support. This type of thinking is straight from hell.
This isn’t to say we shouldn’t test the spirit—because the Bible tells us to be alert and of sober mind—but we must not allow the enemy to distract us. In the same way, we don’t question worldly institutions being well-funded or worthy of support, we should never doubt the importance of supporting people doing God’s work.
God’s judgment also rests on those who hear the Word and fail to implement it. Supporting others is our responsibility, and 3 John, though a short letter, strongly emphasizes the importance of being coworkers in cooperation with the truth. This is our first and most important job, coming before all else.
We learn in 3 John that powerful messages don’t depend on the length of verses, the number of chapters, or the length of the books in the Bible. A single word can define the importance of truth, and we experience valuable teachings throughout the Bible by understanding God’s promises. Even the shortest books of the Bible can have a lasting impact, offering lessons that deepen our faith and inspire us to live according to God’s will.
Whether it’s through affirming one another, offering support and hospitality, or praying with joy for others, 3 John reminds us how crucial it is to live as faithful servants of God and to reflect His love in our daily lives. These lessons encourage us to be active participants in the Christian community, building one another up and cooperating with the truth.
What do you think? Would you like to continue exploring the shortest books of the Bible and the powerful messages they hold? Leave a comment below and let me know!
If you’re looking for resources to enrich your study time, be sure to check out my Bible Study Tools. For further encouragement, watch my YouTube video about surrender, where I dive deeper into what it means to fully trust and submit to God’s plan for your life.
Love,
Dorothy