3 John 1:9-14: a reflection

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 brief letter, John names a troubling figure: Diotrephes, who, John says, loves to be first. This craving for preeminence had made him proud and destructive. He refused to acknowledge John's authority, spread malicious talk, would not welcome traveling believers, and even threw out of the church those who tried to help them. His love of being first had turned him into a petty tyrant, harming the very community he was meant to serve.

Against this dark example, John holds up two better ones. Demetrius, he says, is well spoken of by everyone, and by the truth itself; his life bears a good testimony. And John gives a simple principle: do not imitate evil but imitate good; whoever does good is from God, but whoever does evil has not seen God. The contrast is clear: one man grasps for status and does harm; another quietly does good and earns the trust of all. We are to imitate the second, not the first.

The love of being first is a subtle and dangerous thing, and it can take hold even in the church. Diotrephes shows where it leads: to pride, to control, to harming others in order to protect one's own position. Examine your own heart for that craving to be first, to be recognized, to be in charge. And set before yourself the example of Demetrius, whose good life spoke for itself. Do not imitate evil but good, and let your aim be not to be first but to be faithful.

Lord, Diotrephes loved to be first, and it made him proud and harmful, while Demetrius simply did good and was trusted by all. Search my heart for any craving to be first, to be recognized or in control. Free me from it, and let me imitate what is good rather than what is evil. Make my aim not to be first but to be faithful, doing good quietly for your sake. Amen.