Diotrephes Vs. Demetrius

3 John 1:9-12

John’s third letter is the shortest book in the New Testament. It is composed of about only two hundred fourteen words in the Greek manuscripts. Brief as it may be this epistle has much to say about the apostle John’s character judgments about three men: Gaius, Diotrephes, and Demetrius. The purpose of the letter was to encourage Gaius to continue to show hospitality to the preaching brethren who were passing through despite Diotrephes’ rejection of John and others sent by him. Demetrius was instead a brother worthy of acceptance and emulation.

Egotistical Diotrephes

▸ Rejected John’s Message John told Gaius he “wrote to the church, but Diotrephes,…does not receive us” (1:9). This letter was not in reference to 2 John for it was written to “the chosen lady.” It was not likely an allusion to John’s first epistle. Whatever the correspondence it has been long lost. This is not to say it is one of the lost books of the Bible. There are no lost books of the Bible. All that man needs to know has been revealed to him through the twenty-seven books of the New Testament. The Bible is complete and there is nothing missing (Jude 1:3; 2 Pet. 1:3). Diotrephes may have seized the letter and destroyed it before it could reach the ears of the members of the congregation.

▸ Revered First Place The reason Diotrephes refused the authority of the apostle John was that he loved “to have the preeminence among them” (1:9b). “Preeminence” is from the Greek word phioportos describing a person with selfish ambition and is self-centered. The term is used one other time in the New Testament to refer to the preeminence of Christ in the church (Col. 1:18). Even in the local church there is no room for any one else to have first-place which belongs only to Jesus Christ.

It is unknown whether Diotrephes was a preacher or an elder or simply an influential leader in the congregation. His attitude and ambition made him very poor leadership material. Paul wrote that an elder must not be a novice “lest being puffed up (conceited, NASV) he fall into the condemnation of the devil” (1 Tim. 3:6). “Not self-willed” was a qualification of a man who could be appointed to the office of an elder (Tit. 1:7). In addition to Paul’s qualifications, Peter warns that a shepherd of the local flock was not to “lord it over” them (1 Pet. 5:3).

Diotrephes had a misplaced love of self. Love is not arrogant or rude. It does not brag on itself or insist on having its own way (1 Cor. 13:4,5). No man should “think more highly than he ought to think” (Rom. 12:3). He should not be “wise in his own estimation” (Rom. 12:16).

▸ Reminded of His Evil Deeds When John says, “if I come” (1:10a) he is telling Gaius of his intentions and not the possibility of his coming. So it is more of a questions of when he will come. And when he does he “will call to mind his deeds which he does” (1:10b). Although John does not accuse Diotrephes of false teaching, his example of rejecting teachers of the truth must be stopped and exposed before the congregation. This way others will learn not to do the same (1 Tim. 5:19f). If Diotrephes had not been dealt with, John will when he arrives.

▸ Rattled on With Malicious Words The first of four accusations against Diotrephes by John is this evil man is “prating against us with malicious words” (1:10c). “The Greek word, phluaron, literally means ‘to talk nonsense’” (151). One of the most effective ways of destroying the opposition’s influence is through character assassination. Diotrephes was using slander and gossip to malign the reputation of John and those allied with the Truth.

▸ Refused John’s Ministers Diotrephes is “not content with” just attacking and rejecting John, “he himself does not receive the brethren” (1:10d). Why? We are not told. Perhaps, it was a doctrinal issue or a Jewish Christian versus a Hellenist Christian prejudice or merely because they were associated with John and threatened Diotrephes control over the congregation.

▸ Restricted Others From Doing Good Not only does Diotrephes not receive the brethren he “forbids those who wish to” (1:10e). Perhaps, he had commanded and tried to hinder even Gaius from showing hospitality.

▸ Removed Church Members When Diotrephes could not influence others of the congregation from showing hospitality, he was “putting them out of the church” (1:10f). It was his way or no way. Those who got in his way were sent on their way. This may have been him merely keeping them from attending if the church met in his home. Or he was using church discipline to punish those who refuse to fall in line with his demands. Congregational discipline was never intended to be used as a political tool to maintain control over the membership. Instead, it was designed to protect the members for the influence of sinners and restore the erring (Matt. 18:15-17; 1 Cor. 5; 2 Th. 3:6-15).

Exemplary Demetrius

• Good Example No doubt John had the bad example of Diotrephes in mind when he commanded Gaius “beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good” (1:11a). The Greek word “imitate” is the same from which we derive “mimic.” Human’s learn by imitating others. However, if they follow the wrong example they will do evil, not good. Some do what is right and some do what is wrong. Christians must make a righteous judgement as to which is which.
• Good is of God John gives two reasons why good is worthy to be mimicked and not evil. First, “he who does good is of God” (1:11b). All good originates from God (Js. 1:17). All good men and women originate from God. Diotrephes does not do good and is not of God.
• Good is Like God The second reason good is to be mimicked is “he who does evil has not seen God” (1:11c). To see God as He really is, is to know Him. To know Him is to do what He does and obey what He says (1 Jn. 4:8, 16).
• Good Testimony Like the name Gaius, Demetrius’ name was very common at the time of this letter. He is most likely not the same man named in Acts 19:24. He may have been the one sent by John and perhaps was the bearer of this correspondence to Gaius. Gaius seems not to know him or his reputation and thus John must introduce him and vouch for his character.

Consider the threefold testimony of Demetrius’ excellence. He had a good report about his character “from all” (1:12a). His reputation as a good man even came “from the truth itself” (1:12b). This was the most critical witness to Demetrius’ character. He should be received by Gaius because he believed, practiced, and upheld the Truth. Gaius knew that the witness of John and others at John’s congregation gave a trustworthy witness concerning Demetrius’ integrity “and we also bear witness, and you know that our testimony is true” (1:12c).

– Daniel R. Vess

News & Notes

● Morning’s Lesson: Who Represented You at The Time of The Crucifixion?
● Contribution Scripture: 1 Cor. 16:1,2
● Tonight Lesson: How to Raise a Son Text: Judges 13
● Business Meeting tonight after services.
● Sign up sheets for Building cleaning and Communion Preparation are located in the foyer.
● Remember to thank God for the safe return of Arthur and Gabe.
● Martha is still in Minnesota with London and her family.
● The Fontenot’s are all out sick today.
● Some parents are so anxious to give their children what they did not have that they have neglected to give them what they really needed to have.
● Pride is o the character like the attic to the house – the highest part and generally the most empty.
● The devil goes to vacation spots, too, but you can be sure he is not a vacation.
● One of the devil’s temptations is to occupy our minds so much with the past and the future so as to neglect the present.
● The easiest person to deceive is yourself.