3 John 9–10

9 Diotrephes does not demonstrate love but rather “refuses to welcome the brothers” (v. 10). John has written to the church where Gaius and Diotrephes are both members, but it seems that Diotrephes has prevented the letter from being read. In Diotrephes, the infection of personal ambition has swollen into rebellion.

The first thing said about Diotrephes is that he “likes to put himself first” (v. 9). This is a striking description of arrogance. We do not know the substance of the disagreement between John and Diotrephes, but such selfish ambition is enough to cause trouble. Scripture is clear about God’s distaste for human pride. In the list in Proverbs 6:16–17 of things the Lord hates, “haughty eyes” heads the list, and wisdom later declares, “Pride and arrogance . . . I hate” (Prov. 8:13). Furthermore, “Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the LORD; be assured, he will not go unpunished” (Prov. 16:5). Diotrephes’s self-absorption has made him a hindrance to the church and an opponent of the apostle John.

Diotrephes’s arrogance has led to rebellion, as John reports that he “does not acknowledge our authority.” Diotrephes is now willing to disregard the authority of John—an apostle, one of the Twelve (and among the inner circle of three), one who was at the crucifixion, who visited the empty tomb, and who talked with the risen Christ.

10 Diotrephes’s arrogance and rebellion also led to slander, as he was “talking wicked nonsense against” John (“us” could be an “editorial plural” for John or might include Gaius and others who were in agreement with John). To resist proper authority almost always requires speaking evil against that authority, heedless of the warning of Proverbs 10:18: “Whoever utters slander is a fool.”

Lastly, Diotrephes foments division in the church not only by refusing hospitality to faithful teachers but also by preventing others from providing such hospitality and by driving out those who, like Gaius, seek to engage in this “faithful” work (cf. 3 John 5). While the NT affirms the importance of proper church discipline even to the point of excommunication (1 Corinthians 5), Diotrephes is abusing this practice by putting out people who are seeking to be faithful. Diotrephes is the forebear of those who act as if they “own” the church and can operate it according to their own ideas or desires. Such leaders will not fare well when eventually confronted by the true Lord of the church.

As the representative of the Lord of the church, John is prepared to confront Diotrephes upon his visit (cf. also 3 John 14). He is prepared to deal directly and firmly with one who is harming the church by his opposition to the truth. When John comes, he will not ignore Diotrephes in hopes that he will do better; rather, he will “bring up what he is doing.” John will call attention to the wicked actions of Diotrephes and call him to repentance. True love does not indulge wrongdoing but is always in accord with truth, desiring what is best for others and calling them to align with that same truth.