A Portrait of the Elder in Third John’s Fabula

Third John is the odd book out in the New Testament. It is the shortest letter in the NT and, according to some, it lacks theological depth. Some recent commentators have portrayed the Elder as a weak, incompetent, and inept figure on the basis of the letter. I will show, however, that the underlying fabula of Third John is woven into the letter in such a manner as to permit the Elder to present himself as strong and decisive.