Gaius
Ask about Gaius
Gaius was a common Roman name, and the New Testament mentions several believers who bore it. The best known is 'the wellbeloved Gaius' to whom the elder wrote the third letter of John, praising him for walking in the truth and for his faithful hospitality to traveling brethren, even strangers, at a time when Diotrephes was refusing to receive them. Paul names another Gaius as 'mine host, and of the whole church' in Romans, a letter usually thought to have been written from Corinth, and this is probably the Gaius he had baptized there (1 Corinthians 1:14). Acts also mentions a Gaius of Macedonia seized in the riot at Ephesus and a Gaius of Derbe who traveled with Paul. Whether any of these were the same man cannot be known for certain.
Biography
- Era
- New Testament
Did You Know?
Gaius was one of the most common Roman first names, which helps explain why the name turns up in several different settings in the New Testament (Acts 19:29; 20:4; Romans 16:23; 1 Corinthians 1:14; 3 John 1:1).
John's greeting, 'I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth' (3 John 1:2), follows the pattern of ordinary letter greetings of the time.
Paul calls Gaius host 'of the whole church' (Romans 16:23), which suggests his house was large enough for the believers of the city to meet there.
Key Chapters
Key Passages
The Wellbeloved Gaius
3 John 1:1-4
The elder's greatest joy is hearing that Gaius walks in the truth, a reminder that faithful living is itself a testimony.
1he elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.
Faithful to Strangers
3 John 1:5-8
Gaius's generosity toward traveling teachers makes him one of the 'fellowhelpers to the truth,' sharing in their work by supporting them.
5eloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;
Host of the Whole Church
Romans 16:23
A Gaius opens his home to Paul and to the gathered believers, showing hospitality as a ministry to the whole church.
23aius mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city saluteth you, and Quartus a brother.
Baptized by Paul
1 Corinthians 1:14
Paul names Gaius as one of the few Corinthians he baptized himself, likely the same generous host of Romans 16:23.
14 thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;
