Diotrephes   by Franklin Camp

3 John 9-10 I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will have nothing to do with us. So if I come, I will call attention to what he is doing, gossiping maliciously about us. Not satisfied with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers. He also stops those who want to do so and puts them out of the church.   

There is much that we do not know about Diotrephes. There is enough said about Him for us to learn some things to avoid. It is highly improbable that Diotrophes was opposing and casting some out of the church because of error. This is evident as John would have joined with him in opposing error. Evidently, he wanted no one in the church who could oppose him, and would go to lengths to remove them.  

The Desire for Recognition

Just what Diotrephes was offended about, we are not told, but it is not difficult to offend a man who has an undue sense of his own importance. The person that is in love with himself is always easily offended. The desire for recognition that is not deserved is always a dangerous thing. Some of the apostles were at one time affected by this same spirit. They were wanting to be first, have the preeminence, but Christ showed them that service when given wholeheartedly and without desire for recognition, will bring exaltation.   

Creates Competition Instead of Cooperation

The desire for preeminence creates competition rather than cooperation. Members of the body of Christ are not in competition with one another, but are to function together as the members of the human body. The church does not grow and prosper by competition, but by working together.   

Smoke Screen

The spirit of Diotrephes will cause one to use some "trumped up" charge against another. It is evident that Diotrephes was doing this, for how could he have succeeded in "casting some out of the church" unless he was able to convince others to go along with him. Too often personal differences -- matters of opinion -- are used as a smoke screen to create factions. The spirit of Diotrephes makes a person color-blind so he cannot distinguish between his opinion and matters of faith. A person that is in love with himself thinks his word, opinion is law. This is the ultimate end to which one comes that seeks preeminence. Christ is to have preeminence and His word is our law. But if some man seeks preeminence, he usurps the authority that belongs to Christ and the result is that he feels that his word is bound on everyone.   

Better to Rule a Small Church Than Serve in a large One

The motto of Diotrephes is "it is better to reign in a small church than to serve in a large one. When matters of faith are involved, it is better to reduce the size of the congregation and have it scriptural than to have the "biggest church in town" that is unscriptural. This was not the case with Diotrephes. It was the matter of controlling the church to the point that Diotrephes was willing to eliminate members to retain. This is what always happens where a Diotrephes is found. The church shrinks instead of growing.   

Will Abuse Power

The spirit of Diotrephes, with its lust for power, is sure to abuse any power one may have. This very desire for power is evidence of a lack of any power given to him. Diotrephes' casting people out of the church was an abuse of power. The desire to serve is the only safeguard against the abuse of power.   

Wanted His Way, Not The Best Way

Diotrephes wanted his own way, not the best way, not the way that would be beneficial to others. If he could not have his way by fair means, he would attempt to get his way by foul means. The most prevalent way of "foul means" is "prating against us with malicious words.