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Many Like Diotrephes – 3 John 9
Many Like Diotrephes – 3 John 9
“I wrote something to the church; but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, does not accept what we say. (3 John 1:9)
Diotrephes was neither the first nor the last that had problems with pride and arrogance. The apostles themselves struggled with the question: “Who is the greatest among us?”. In the gospel accounts we read of them having this discussion not once, but several times. Jesus’ simple answer: he that serves is the greatest. In the history of the church, there seems to be no shortage of people that try to use the spiritual body of Christ to ‘enlarge themselves’ instead of an opportunity to serve others.
Such endeavors often put people into direct conflict with the teachings of the Apostles. Concerning Diotrephes, John wrote: “he does not accept what we say”! Paul also warned: “If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord's commandment.” (1 Corinthians 14:37) And again: “So, he who rejects this is not rejecting man but the God who gives His Holy Spirit to you.” (1 Thessalonians 4:8) John had also warned: "We are from God; he who knows God listens to us; he who is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error." (1 John 4:6)
These warnings go back to Jesus and His commission of the apostles: "The one who listens to you listens to Me, and the one who rejects you rejects Me; and he who rejects Me rejects the One who sent Me" (Luke 10:16). Bottom line concerning Diotrephes is that he not only did not accept what the apostles said, but he thus rejected Jesus and the Father.
Are you willing to accept what the apostles say? Is that the end of the discussion for you? OR, are you like Diotrephes?
Hugh DeLong
