3 John 1 9

3 John 1:9 kjv

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

3 John 1:9 nkjv

I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us.

3 John 1:9 niv

I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not welcome us.

3 John 1:9 esv

I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority.

3 John 1:9 nlt

I wrote to the church about this, but Diotrephes, who loves to be the leader, refuses to have anything to do with us.

3 John 1 verses

3 John 1 9 Meaning

The Apostle John states that he had written a previous communication, likely a letter of instruction or commendation, to the local church. However, a specific individual named Diotrephes, whose character is defined by his intense desire to hold the most prominent position within the community, actively rejected John’s authority and the messengers associated with him. This refusal indicates an undermining of apostolic instruction and a challenge to legitimate spiritual leadership for reasons of personal ambition.

3 John 1 9 Context

Third John is a brief letter addressed by the Apostle John to his faithful friend Gaius. The primary themes concern truth, hospitality, and opposition to apostolic authority. Gaius is commended for walking in truth and for his hospitality, especially towards itinerating missionaries. In verse 9, John introduces the central conflict: Diotrephes, a leader within a church, actively opposes John and refuses to welcome missionaries sent by John, also preventing others from doing so. This verse is critical as it highlights the challenges faced by early church leaders. It speaks to the growing need for structure and order in Christian communities, the potential for local leaders to exert undue influence, and the ongoing tension between apostolic oversight and emerging congregational autonomy. Historically, it reflects the struggle within the burgeoning church for adherence to apostolic teaching against prideful, power-hungry individuals who sought to establish their own authority, undermining unity and truth. The letter effectively serves as a warning against self-exalting leadership and an encouragement to uphold Christian hospitality and submission to true apostolic instruction.

Word Analysis

• I wrote: (ἔγραψά - egrapsa) An aorist verb, indicating a past completed action. Scholars often infer this refers to a prior, unspecified letter or set of instructions sent by John, distinct from 1 and 2 John, to the church Diotrephes influenced. This highlights John's prior engagement with the community.
• something: (τι - ti) This indefinite pronoun reinforces the idea of a specific, yet unspecified, communication. It might have been brief, informal, or even just an initial instruction. Its ambiguity emphasizes the fact of communication rather than its content.
• to the church: (τῇ ἐκκλησίᾳ - tē ekklēsia) Refers to a specific local assembly of believers. It denotes an official or semi-official communication aimed at the congregation as a whole, implying a recognized body that John sought to guide.
• but Diotrephes: (Διοτρέφης δέ - Diotrephēs de) The particle "δὲ" (but/and) introduces a contrast. Diotrephes is specifically named, suggesting his prominent role in the opposition. His name, ironically, might mean "nourished by Zeus" or "upbringing of Zeus," an intriguing contrast for someone opposing a servant of Christ.
• who loves to be first among them: (ὁ φιλοπρωτεύων ἐν αὐτοῖς - ho philoprōteuōn en autois) This is a powerful, compound Greek participle.
  • "φιλο-" (philo-) from "φιλέω" (phileō), meaning "to love, to be fond of."
  • "πρωτεύων" (prōteuōn), from "πρωτεύω" (prōteuō), meaning "to be first, to hold the first place, to be chief."
  • Combined, it paints a vivid picture of someone whose very nature and desire is to be preeminent, not just incidentally in the lead, but actively pursuing and loving the top position. It describes an insatiable ambition, highlighting his core motivation for resisting John. "Among them" (ἐν αὐτοῖς - en autois) specifies his position within that particular church assembly.
• does not accept us: (οὐκ ἐπιδέχεται ἡμᾶς - ouk epidechetai hēmas)
  • "οὐκ" (ouk) is a strong negation: "not."
  • "ἐπιδέχεται" (epidechetai): Means "to receive, to accept, to welcome." This verb carries the connotation of a positive, welcoming reception, implying Diotrephes actively refused to welcome or acknowledge John and his delegates (represented by "us"). It's a rejection of John's authority, his message, and his emissaries (like Demetrius, verse 12).
  • "ἡμᾶς" (hēmas): "us." This plural pronoun can refer to John himself along with his associates (e.g., traveling missionaries, representatives) whom Diotrephes rejected or failed to welcome. It signifies a collective rejection of apostolic representatives and their authority.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "I wrote something to the church": This establishes John's prior authoritative communication and the recognized Christian community he was addressing. It implies a previous attempt at communication and direction which has been thwarted.
• "but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them": This phrase directly introduces the antagonist and immediately diagnoses his primary character flaw: an overwhelming, self-serving ambition for prominence and power within the church. This self-love and love for preeminence are at the root of his divisive actions.
• "does not accept us": This is the direct consequence of Diotrephes' ambition. His refusal to receive John and his representatives signifies a rebellion against apostolic authority and teaching. It shows a disregard for established spiritual order and the unity of the broader church guided by the apostles.

3 John 1 9 Bonus section

The specific nature of the "something" (τι) John wrote is a point of scholarly discussion. It could have been an earlier general letter of commendation, a specific instruction regarding itinerating teachers, or even just an informal communication. The fact that it was not "accepted" highlights a challenge to John's ongoing oversight of the churches. The conflict in 3 John represents a broader issue in the late apostolic era: the transition from direct apostolic leadership to a more settled, localized church structure. Diotrephes embodies the dangers of this transition when ambitious individuals seek power for its own sake, disregarding established spiritual authority. His resistance wasn't just passive non-compliance but an active refusal and potential prevention of others from welcoming John's envoys (as verse 10 suggests). This also shows the developing power dynamics where a local church leader could challenge an apostle.

3 John 1 9 Commentary

Third John 1:9 encapsulates a fundamental struggle in the early church: the conflict between legitimate apostolic authority and the emergence of ambitious, localized leadership. John's frustration is palpable as he reveals that his instructions to the church, intended for good order and truth, have been explicitly rejected by Diotrephes. Diotrephes' motivation is not theological disagreement but a consuming "love to be first" (philoprōteuōn), illustrating how pride and a craving for preeminence can corrupt even positions within the church. This self-centered ambition directly manifested in his "not accepting" John and his representatives, indicating a refusal to submit to their apostolic authority and, by extension, the truth they bore. This verse serves as a sober warning about the destructive nature of ego and control within spiritual leadership. Diotrephes' actions—rejecting external apostolic guidance and presumably stifling hospitality (as per the following verse)—threatened the church's unity, hospitality, and adherence to apostolic teaching. John’s willingness to confront this issue, even in a letter, underscores the importance of maintaining proper authority, fostering genuine hospitality, and purging selfish ambition from leadership roles. It calls for humility, service, and faithfulness, as exemplified by Gaius and Demetrius, as counter-attributes to Diotrephes' pride.