3 John 1:9

Translations

Modern

I have written to the church about this, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not accept our instruction.

Traditional

I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.

Literal

I did write something to the church; but the one loving to be first among them, Diotrephes, does not welcome us.

Latin

Scripsissem forsitan ecclesiæ: sed is qui amat primatum gerere in eis, Diotrephes, non recipit nos:

Original

Greek

English

I have written to the church about this, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not accept our instruction.

Notes

3 John 1:9

I have written to the church about this: This could refer to 1 John or to a letter that is now lost.
Diotrephes was proud and thought himself important. He was motivated by selfish ambition (see 1 Timothy 3:6).
will not accept our instruction: This disagreement was a major issue that John addressed in 1 John (see, for example, 1 John 2:19; 4:5–6). Diotrephes rejected the teachers sent by John and removed any church members who accepted them. He wanted to lead the local church without answering to any outside authority.

3 John 1:9–12

In these verses, John condemns Diotrephes and presents Demetrius as the model of a faithful Christian who lives according to the truth. John encourages Gaius to follow the example of Demetrius.

Theme notes and profiles

Early Christian Heresies

Related verses

Titus 1:7–16
As God’s steward, an overseer must be above reproach—not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not greedy for money.
Luke 22:24–27
A dispute also arose among the disciples as to which of them should be considered the greatest.
Matthew 23:4–8
They tie up heavy, burdensome loads and lay them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.
Luke 9:48
And He said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in My name welcomes Me, and whoever welcomes Me welcomes the One who sent Me. For whoever is the least among all of you, he is the greatest.”
Mark 9:34
But they were silent, for on the way they had been arguing about which of them was the greatest.
Matthew 10:40–42
He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives the One who sent Me.
Romans 12:10
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another.
Philippians 2:3–5
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves.
Mark 9:37
“Whoever welcomes one of these little children in My name welcomes Me, and whoever welcomes Me welcomes not only Me, but the One who sent Me.”
Mark 10:35–45
Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus and declared, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask.”
3 John 1:8
Therefore we ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers for the truth.
Matthew 20:20–28
Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and knelt down to make a request of Him.

People

Diotrephes: Church leader who opposed John

Glossary

Diotrephes Writer

Topics

Ambition: Diotrephes Christian Minister: Diotrephes Church: Government of, Mosaic and Christian Diotrephes: A False Teacher Presumption: Diotrephes

3 John 1:9

Translations?

Original?

Notes?

Related verses?

People

Glossary?

Topics?

Translations

Original

Notes

Related verses

Glossary

Topics