In 2 John, he wrote to the Elect Lady that he loved. I believe her to be none other than Mary Magdalene. I believe she survived a planned boat set adrift, by the Jews. She was with her companions Joseph of Arimathea, Lazarus and others. She then visited the British Isles and Turkey after getting established in southern France with Lazarus. She returned to France.
Gaius
Gaius is unknown for the most part. By the way John greeted him, Gaius' health might be failing.
3-4 For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, even as you walk in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
Gaius wasn't John's child, he was a disciple of John's. John was pleased with Gaius.
5-7 Beloved, you do faithfully whatsoever you do to the brethren, and to strangers; which have borne witness of your charity before the church: whom if you bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, you shalt do well: because that for his name's sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.
The word church should be assembly, as in Assembly of Believers in Yahusha . Once again John is pleased with Gaius' work.
8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.
Being kind to others helps the truth of the gospel to move forward.
9-10 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, received us not. Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he did, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither does he himself receive the brethren, and forbidding them that would, and cast them out of the church.
The name meaning of Diotrephes is, nourished by Jupiter. Diotrephes, let's call him the big D, manipulated his way into being always first. His impudence pushed the Apostle John away, the man who was with Yahusha Hamashia. The big D spoke false accusations against John, speaking complete nonsense.
11 Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that does good is of God: but he that does evil has not seen God.
The Apostle John called the big D evil. Evil had entered the Assembly of Yahusha in the first century.
12 Demetrius has good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and you know that our record is true.
This verse is saying the big D's testimony is truth. But here you see the big D is teaching truth but yet he has pushed away the Apostle John and is rude. I believe the big D to be a Narcissist.
13 I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto you: but I trust I shall shortly see you, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be to you. Our friends salute you. Greet the friends by name.
Gaius is an unknown. Stories have Mary Magdalene seeing the Apostle John in Turkey. I believe John and Gaius did see each other also.
I believe the big D was drawn to the church because believers hearing a true message is more trusting, making themselves easier targets. The big D was evil, having the mask of an Elder in the church. People would rather walk away quietly than make a stand against narcissistic behavior.
Most people don't wish to be leaders. They would rather sit quietly among believers. The bid D wasn't challenged, except for the Apostle John. It was then the rude behavior showed up, exposing the big D's evil. On one hand the big D was a servant of Yahuah but on the other he was a serpent pushing people away from the gospel as he judged it.
All to often the abused gets punished by the church lead by a Narcissist. Seeds of doubt are planted in the assembly against the abused. Then without a negative word said in public, the abused is a victim behind closed doors. Their reputation is destroyed by the serpent seed within. But in public the leadership appears to be the suffering servant of God and the abused is the one with the problems.
The victim lacks confidence and the people of the church don't want to take sides. Once the truth is known about the Narcissist, the church doesn't want to address that they were manipulated. If anyone would speak up, the Narcissist would make them the next target.
The reason why 3 John is unpopular in church as a message, they would need to confront their own narcissists.
