3 John 1:1-14 NKJV
The Elder,
To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth:
2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. 3 For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
5 Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the brethren and for strangers, 6 who have borne witness of your love before the church. If you send them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God, you will do well, 7 because they went forth for His name’s sake, taking nothing from the Gentiles. 8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we may become fellow workers for the truth.
9 I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us. 10 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.
11 Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God.
12 Demetrius has a good testimony from all, and from the truth itself. And we also bear witness, and you know that our testimony is true.
13 I had many things to write, but I do not wish to write to you with pen and ink; 14 but I hope to see you shortly, and we shall speak face to face.
Peace to you. Our friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.
John writes this brief epistle to a certain Gaius. John can address him as “beloved” because Gaius’ actions toward the brethren and strangers bears witness to his Christian love. The brethren and strangers were Christian ministers, some of whom Gaius had not previously met. Yet, his Christian love for the truth of the gospel compelled him to receive them into his home, showing them hospitality, and then sending them on their way “in a manner worthy of God” (6). His hospitality also made Gaius a fellow worker for the truth (7). Gaius’ example encourages Christians to show hospitality to those sent by God as God gives opportunity.
Then there is Diotrephes. He rejects John’s apostolic authority and speaks maliciously of the apostle. He does not welcome the brethren. In fact, he forbids those who wish to welcome the brethren, and puts them out of the church (10). Diotrephes behaves this way because he loves preeminence in the church. He loves to be first in honor and in authority, imagining that his opinion is the law. He exercises authority in the church in the same dictatorial manner as civil authorities.
This is not how ministers in the church rule. Ministers have authority as stewards of the mysteries of God (1 Cor 4:1). But they are not to love preeminence. Jesus tells the apostles, “He who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves” (Luke 22:26). Ministers must insist that the doctrine taught in the church be Christ’s doctrine. But they are not to insist on their own way in matters which Christ leaves free. To do so is to place the yoke of the law—the law of the preacher’s opinions—upon the neck of his hearers. Ministers must refuse to receive false teachers in the church (Rom 16:17; Ti 3:10-11). But they are not to refuse brethren who walk in the truth of the apostles’ doctrine for egotistical reasons. The example of Diotrephes warns ministers—and all Christians— against loving their own honor more than the truth and the brethren.
Let us pray: Give us grace, O God, to humble ourselves under Your almighty power, that we may walk in the truth and love and serve our neighbors in our callings. Amen.