First, he writes to commend and encourage his beloved co-worker, Gaius, in his ministry of hospitality to the itinerant messengers who were going from place to place to preach the Gospel of Christ. Second, he indirectly warns and condemns the behavior of one Diotrephes, a dictatorial leader who had taken over one of the churches in the province of Asia, and whose behavior was directly opposed to all that the apostle and his Gospel stood for. Third, he commends the example of Demetrius who was reported as having a good testimony from all.
Kwanza, anaandika kuwasifu na kuwatia moyo wapenzi wafanyakazi wenzake, Gayo, katika huduma yake ya ukarimu kwa wajumbe wa kuzungukazunguka ambao walikuwa wanakwenda kutoka sehemu maja hadi nyingine kuhubiri Injili ya Kristo. Pili, anaonya na kulaani kwa njia isiyo ya moja kwa moja tabia ya Diotrefe, kiongozi wa kidikteta ambaye alikuwa amenyakua kanisa moja katika jimbo la Asia, na ambaye tabia yake ilipingwa moja kwa moja kwa wote ambao mtume na Injili yake ilisimama kwao. Tatu, anasifu mfano wa Demetrio ambaye aliripotiwa kuwa na ushuhuda mzuri kuliko wote.