📖 Biblical Definition
At least three or four men named Gaius appear in the New Testament — a common Roman praenomen. (1) Gaius of Corinth, Paul’s host whom he personally baptized: "I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius" (1 Corinthians 1:14; cf. Romans 16:23 — "Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth you"). (2) Gaius of Macedonia, dragged into the Ephesian theatre by the silversmiths’ riot (Acts 19:29). (3) Gaius of Derbe, one of Paul’s travel companions delivering the Jerusalem offering (Acts 20:4). (4) The Gaius of 3 John, commended for his hospitality to traveling preachers: "the beloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth". The same name; many faithful saints.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
GAIUS, n.
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A scriptural proper name; in the New Testament, borne by several men, including the addressee of 3 John.
📖 Key Scripture
3 John 1 — "The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth."
3 John 5 — "Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers."
Romans 16:23 — "Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth you."
1 Corinthians 1:14 — "I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Gaius was the patron-saint of hospitality; modern Christianity has largely outsourced the meal.
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The book of 3 John is the shortest in the New Testament, and its central character is a man known for hospitality. John commends Gaius for showing love to traveling brethren and strangers (5-6) and contrasts him sharply with Diotrephes, who refuses to receive the same brethren and casts out those who would (9-10).
Modern Christianity has largely outsourced the meal. Hospitality has been replaced by restaurants, hotels, and Airbnbs; the church potluck is rare; the traveling preacher stays in a hotel chain. Recover the Gaius pattern. Open your home; receive traveling saints; feed the missionary in your kitchen. The third letter of John was written, in part, to honor a man who did this; the Lord has not changed His mind.
Usage
"Gaius was the patron-saint of hospitality; modern Christianity outsourced the meal."
"Open your home; receive traveling saints; feed the missionary."
"3 John was written, in part, to honor a man who did this."