Page:Sermons preached in the African Protestant Episcopal Church of St. Thomas', Philadelphia.djvu/58

54  'Gaius,' a native "of Macedonia" who accompanied St. Paul, and spent some time with him at Ephesus. There is "Gaius of Derbe" who also was a fellow-traveller of the Apostle Paul. It is supposed, however, that the person here particularly addressed, was the Gaius of Corinth, as hospitality was a prominent feature in his character. The design of the Apostle in writing this epistle to Gaius, was to commend his steadfastness in the faith, and the general hospitality he had shown, especially, to the ministers of Christ. In carrying forward this design, he, in the mean time, rebukes one Diotrephes, who, had arrogantly assumed the chief direction in the affairs of the Church. He had not only refused a kind reception to those messengers of peace and salvation himself, but had hindered them from doing so who were thus disposed. The