Context No. 4157 of 4322 · 3 John

3 John 1:9-14: in context

9I wrote to the assembly, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, doesn’t accept what we say. 10Therefore, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words. Not content with this, he doesn’t receive the brothers himself, and those who would, he forbids and throws out of the assembly. 11Beloved, don’t imitate that which is evil, but that which is good. He who does good is of God. He who does evil hasn’t seen God. 12Demetrius has the testimony of all, and of the truth itself; yes, we also testify, and you know that our testimony is true. 13I had many things to write to you, but I am unwilling to write to you with ink and pen; 14but I hope to see you soon. Then we will speak face to face. Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.

In this short letter, John names a troubling man in the church: Diotrephes, who, John says, likes to put himself first. Not content with that, Diotrephes refuses to acknowledge John's authority, spreads malicious talk against him, refuses to welcome fellow believers, and even puts out of the church those who would welcome them.

His love of being first has made him domineering, divisive, and unwelcoming. And John draws a simple lesson: beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good; whoever does good is from God, whoever does evil has not seen God. There is a sharp warning here about the corrupting love of being first. Diotrephes' fundamental problem was that he loved preeminence, wanted to be at the top, in control, first, and that self-important desire poisoned everything. The love of being first is a spiritual danger, especially in the church, where it has no place. Do we, like Diotrephes, love to be first, and does that desire make us domineering or divisive?

Do I examine my own heart for the corrupting love of being first that ruined Diotrephes, and do I choose to imitate not the self-important and domineering but those who humbly do good, following the way of Christ?

Sources

3 John 9: "Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, doesn't accept what we say."
3 John 11: "Beloved, don't imitate that which is evil, but that which is good. He who does good is of God. He who does evil hasn't seen God."
3 John 10: "He doesn't receive the brothers himself, and those who would, he forbids and throws out of the assembly."