3 John 1 10

3 John 1:10 kjv

Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.

3 John 1:10 nkjv

Therefore, if I come, I will call to mind his deeds which he does, prating against us with malicious words. And not content with that, he himself does not receive the brethren, and forbids those who wish to, putting them out of the church.

3 John 1:10 niv

So when I come, I will call attention to what he is doing, spreading malicious nonsense about us. Not satisfied with that, he even refuses to welcome other believers. He also stops those who want to do so and puts them out of the church.

3 John 1:10 esv

So if I come, I will bring up what he is doing, talking wicked nonsense against us. And not content with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers, and also stops those who want to and puts them out of the church.

3 John 1:10 nlt

When I come, I will report some of the things he is doing and the evil accusations he is making against us. Not only does he refuse to welcome the traveling teachers, he also tells others not to help them. And when they do help, he puts them out of the church.

3 John 1 verses

3 John 1 10 Meaning

Third John 1:10 details the negative actions of Diotrephes, an individual who challenged apostolic authority and church unity. The Apostle John states his intention to confront Diotrephes' specific misdeeds: his malicious, slanderous words against John and his associates; his personal refusal to welcome faithful Christian itinerants; and his aggressive expulsion of others from the church who showed such hospitality. The verse underscores Diotrephes' desire for prominence, his disregard for love, and his disruption of the early Christian community's practice of supporting itinerant missionaries.

3 John 1 10 Context

Third John is the shortest book in the Bible, a personal letter from "the elder" (traditionally John the Apostle) to Gaius, a faithful believer commended for his hospitality towards traveling missionaries. The letter revolves around themes of truth, love, hospitality, and opposition. Within this broader context, verse 10 specifically introduces Diotrephes, a local church leader who exemplifies the antithesis of these virtues. He represents an internal challenge to apostolic authority and Christian unity, refusing to honor traveling ministers supported by John and even excommunicating those who did. John's intent to personally address this situation highlights the serious nature of Diotrephes' rebellion and the importance of preserving apostolic truth and mutual support within the early Christian community.

3 John 1 10 Word analysis

• Therefore, if I come: John's impending visit indicates his apostolic authority and direct intent to intervene. His presence signifies a confrontation for the purpose of church order and discipline.
• I will bring to your remembrance his deeds: John intends to publicly expose Diotrephes' actions. The phrase suggests not just a recall of facts but a public accounting or reprimand for the spiritual well-being of the community.
• which he does, prating against us with malicious words:
  • prating (φλυαρέω - phlyareō): Meaning to babble, talk nonsense, utter malicious slanders, or empty words. This word signifies speaking in a foolish, slanderous, or overly talkative manner, suggesting his words were not just critical but harmful, untrue, and lacked substance. It implies a pattern of demeaning speech.
  • malicious words: These are not mere disagreements but verbal attacks designed to undermine, discredit, and harm John and his fellow workers. This highlights an actively hostile and unloving stance, directly opposing the truth and spirit of Christ.
• and not content with these: Diotrephes' malicious speech was not his only offense; his ambition and ill-will extended to practical actions. This indicates a progression of wrongdoing, showing an increasing defiance and a deeply rooted antagonistic disposition.
• he does not receive (ἐπιδέχομαι - epidechomai) the brethren himself:
  • does not receive: Meaning to not accept, welcome, or entertain. This refers to a direct refusal to show Christian hospitality, which was vital for supporting traveling evangelists and teachers in the early church. Hospitality was a core mark of genuine faith and brotherhood.
  • the brethren: Refers specifically to the itinerant missionaries and evangelists sent by or endorsed by John. Diotrephes’ refusal was an affront to their ministry and, by extension, to John himself.
• and he forbids those who wish to do so: Diotrephes used his position to actively prevent others within the church from practicing hospitality. This demonstrates an abusive exercise of power and a desire to control the church's interactions and allegiances, further isolating his community from broader Christian fellowship and apostolic teaching.
• and casts them out (ἐκβάλλω - ekballō) of the church:
  • casts them out: Meaning to throw out, expel, or eject. This is a strong verb, often used for expelling demons or excommunicating. It indicates a forceful, unauthorized act of excommunication. Diotrephes took extreme measures to consolidate his power and enforce his will, going beyond his authority as an elder or leader. This was an act of schism and defiance against recognized apostolic order and the Spirit of unity.
  • of the church: Diotrephes claimed the authority to remove members who aligned with John and upheld Christian hospitality, demonstrating a tyrannical control over the local assembly, operating contrary to established apostolic guidance and the principle of brotherly love.

3 John 1 10 Bonus section

The account of Diotrephes is critical because it offers one of the earliest biblical examples of an internal church conflict regarding authority and the practice of hospitality. It is not an external persecution but a struggle from within, highlighting the constant need for discernment regarding spiritual leadership and the danger of unchecked ambition. Diotrephes was likely an elder or prominent figure within the local church who felt he could disregard apostolic directives and control the community. His "love of being first" (philoprōteuōn in v. 9) explains his aggressive behaviors. This narrative serves as a warning against congregationalism where local autonomy leads to rebellion against established apostolic doctrine and inter-church fellowship. John's personal commitment to visit and address the issue directly (epignōmai ta erga – "take notice of the deeds") shows that true spiritual leadership demands confronting ungodliness, even when it manifests from within and holds a position of power. It implicitly argues that local leadership, while important, is subject to the broader authority and teaching of the apostles concerning doctrine and church practice, especially concerning fundamental Christian virtues like hospitality and truth.

3 John 1 10 Commentary

Third John 1:10 vividly portrays a challenge to apostolic authority and Christian charity within an early church community. Diotrephes, described here, embodies a love for preeminence (mentioned in verse 9), manifested in several ungodly ways. First, his "malicious words" (phlyareō) against John and his colleagues were slanderous and baseless, a direct assault on the integrity and truth of the apostolic message. This reflects a dangerous spiritual pride that manifests verbally. Second, Diotrephes explicitly withheld the customary Christian hospitality from faithful "brethren" (itinerant missionaries), crucial for the spread of the gospel. This lack of welcome stemmed from his self-exaltation and perhaps his rejection of the authority these brethren represented as John's delegates. Most grievously, he forbade others in the church from extending this hospitality, and worst of all, forcibly "cast out" (ekballō) those who defied his dictate. This act of excommunication was likely beyond his legitimate authority, demonstrating an autocratic control and schismatic behavior that deeply threatened the unity and purity of the church. John's strong declaration that he would confront these actions underscores the vital importance of preserving the true nature of Christian leadership: humble service, brotherly love, and upholding apostolic truth, in contrast to the destructive pride and divisiveness shown by Diotrephes.

• Examples: Diotrephes' actions mirror those who prioritize personal power and opinion over humility and biblical truth. His rejection of humble servants for the sake of his own authority can be seen in leaders who suppress genuine ministry out of insecurity. His control over hospitality finds parallel in church bodies that close off fellowship or support to those who don't align perfectly with their internal preferences, rather than showing broad Christian love. His unjust excommunication prefigures those who unjustly silence or ostracize believers for minor differences or for holding to widely accepted Christian practices that challenge their local authority.