Final answer:
John likely acted as an overseer of the Asian churches before his exile and became a spiritual support during his exile. The early church structure and the societal shifts after Constantine's conversion would have influenced his relationship with these communities.
Step-by-step explanation:
The relationship John had with the people in the Asian churches was multifaceted. Before his exile, John likely played a significant role in these communities. As the early Christian Church was organized similarly to the imperial structure of the time, John may have been akin to a bishop or overseer of the Asian churches, providing religious instruction and guidance. During his exile, however, his role shifted to that of a brother and companion in tribulation, supporting and sharing in the struggles of the Christian faithful from a distance.
Early Christianity saw the spread of Christianity through missionary work and the establishment of congregations across the Roman Empire. This spread was significantly influenced by figures like Paul and, likely, John, who both played important roles in encouraging and solidifying Christian communities in major cities like Ephesus. After Constantine's conversion to Christianity, being a Christian became advantageous within the Roman power structure, which may have influenced the nature of the relationships between church leaders like John and the congregations they served.