Purpose of Writing: John’s purpose in writing this third epistle is threefold. First, he writes to commend and encourage his beloved co-worker, Gaius, in his ministry of hospitality to the itinerant messengers who were going from place to place to preach the Gospel of Christ. Second, he indirectly warns and condemns the behavior of one Diotrephes, a dictatorial leader who had taken over one of the churches in the province of Asia, and whose behavior was directly opposed to all that the apostle and his Gospel stood for. Third, he commends the example of Demetrius who was reported as having a good testimony from all.
Layunin ng Sulat: May tatlong layunin si Apostol Juan sa pagsulat ng aklat. Una, isinulat niya ito upang purihin at palakasin ang loob ng kanyang minamahal na kamanggagawang si Gayo dahil sa ginagawa nitong paglilingkod at pagpapatuloy sa kanyang tahanan ng mga naglalakbay na manggagawa habang ipinapangaral ang Ebanghelyo ni Kristo. Ikalawa, binalaan niya si Gayo at kinondena ang paguugali ni Diotrefes, isang diktador na tagapanguna na inagaw ang pangunguna sa isang iglesya sa probinsya ng Asya. Ang ugaling ito ni Diotrefes ay salungat sa ugali ng mga apostol at ng mga tunay na mangangaral ng Ebanghelyo. Ikatlo, pinuri niya si Demetrio dahil sa magandang patotoo nito sa lahat ng mananampalataya.