“The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.”
John opens his third letter with a simple but weighty line: 'The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth' (3 John 1:1). Even in something as ordinary as a greeting, we see a picture of what real love looks like — love anchored 'in the truth,' not in sentiment alone.
John continues, 'Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth' (v.2). Notice the order: the wellbeing of the soul comes first, and everything else is measured against it. This is a different definition of love than the world offers — one that cares more about someone's spiritual health than their comfort.
Love 'in the truth' means we don't just tell people what they want to hear. It means we care enough to speak honestly, to encourage what is good, and to gently address what isn't — always anchored in genuine care, never in condemnation. That balance is hard to hold, but it's the model John gives us.
It's worth noticing, too, that this is a personal letter — love expressed to one specific person, by name. Agape isn't only a grand theological concept; it's meant to be lived out in specific relationships, addressed to real people we actually know and care for.
As we continue debunking the myths around love this series, let this be a starting point: love that is real is love that is honest, love that prioritizes the soul, and love that is willing to say someone's name and mean it.