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I. A MAN CHARACTERISED BY A SINGLE VIRTUE. It is noteworthy that most of the saints immortalised in this chapter have just one distinguishing mark. Doubtless they were not wanting in other qualities necessary to the symmetry of Christian character, but one excellence seems to be prominent.

1. It is better to use one talent well than to neglect or imperfectly employ five talents. One ripe apple on a bough is worth more than twenty green ones. Many Christians richly endowed are far less useful than those poorer furnished, but who do what they can with all their might. Gaius may have been no eloquent preacher, no sagacious administrator, no zealous evangelist; but his means enabled him to dispense hospitality, and he did this well,

2. Gaius' excellence at first sight shows at a disadvantage beside those who were "beloved," who "laboured in the Lord," who were Paul's "helpers," etc. Yet he did what he could, and in the Master's estimation to give a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple is sometimes better than to do many mighty works in His name. But —

II. THIS VIRTUE INCLUDED A VAST NUMBER OF OTHER VIRTUES. Probably no virtue stands alone; certainly hospitality does not. Apart from the fuller portrait of Gaius in 3 John we can gather from the text —

1. His devotion to the apostle. "Mine host." And he who was devoted to the apostle was devoted to the apostle's Master. "Inasmuch as ye have done," etc.

2. His courage. It required no small amount of moral heroism to shelter the leader and members of a sect everywhere spoken against.

3. Disinterestedness. "Not many noble," etc. There was nothing to gain, but everything to lose.

4. Large-hearted Christian love. He was not a "boon companion," but "the host of the whole Church." If charity be a distinguishing Christian grace surely Gaius must have been an eminent Christian.

III. THIS VIRTUE WAS WORTH RECORDING, AND IS WORTHY OF IMITATION; because of —

1. Its usefulness. How much Christianity was indebted to this good man only the day will declare. Think what it must have been to the apostle and the Church to have had one house that was always open, one table always spread, one heart always ready to sympathise, one hand always ready to help.

2. Its neglect. "Given to hospitality" was a common and required mark of the early Christians, which has largely dropped from the modern Christian ethics. Yet how much good might be done if more of our rich men were to invite Church workers, particularly the humble ones, to their homes.

(J. W. Burn.)

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KJV: Timotheus my workfellow, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you.

WEB: Timothy, my fellow worker, greets you, as do Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my relatives.