Demetrius and Diotrephes – 3 John 1

Joy: You’re listening to the Lifting Her Voice podcast, Episode #237.  Today we’ll read 3 John chapter 1 together: John commends his co-worker Gaius and points out the contrast between Demetrius and Diotrephes.

Welcome to the Lifting Her Voice podcast.  I’m your host, Joy Miller, and I invite you to grab your Bible and join me as we simply read God’s word together.  Some things require discipline and sometimes that’s just not easy to muster by yourself, no matter how badly you want to do it or how much you know you should.  It’s just easier to do it with a friend.  So refill your coffee or tea, get comfortable in your favorite chair and follow along as I read aloud.  I’m so glad you’re here!

Welcome

In keeping with 2 John, 3 John has similarities to 1 John.  However, this letter was probably written from the island of Patmos where John was exiled.  This was the same prison where he had his vision which is the subject of the book of Revelation.

John was writing to his friend and co-worker Gaius, who was, at the time, pastoring a church in Asia Minor.  John had heard a troubling report about a man named Diotrephes; apparently this guy was creating havoc and confusion with true believers.  John’s purpose was to give Gaius encouragement and instruction.

This is an interesting letter.  John certainly touches on false teachers and the usual warnings.  But perhaps more importantly, it’s about how to deal with evil while maintaining a Christ-like attitude.  We’ve talked about this before.  We can leave all the foofy-ness at the door.  Living a Christ-like life in this world can be messy.  But John gives good instruction to not imitate what is evil.

As an interesting sidebar, there is lots of dispute between ancient historians as to whether John is even the author of this book.  If you want to dive into the likes of Origen and Josephus, let me know where your curiosity takes you at Lifting Her Voice.com, Facebook, Instagram  and Twitter.  

3 John Chapter 1

Greeting

The elder:

To my dear friend Gaius, whom I love in the truth.

Dear friend, I pray that you are prospering in every way and are in good health, just as your whole life is going well. For I was very glad when fellow believers came and testified to your fidelity to the truth — how you are walking in truth. I have no greater joy than this: to hear that my children are walking in truth.

Gaius Commended

Dear friend, you are acting faithfully in whatever you do for the brothers and sisters, especially when they are strangers. They have testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God, since they set out for the sake of the Name, accepting nothing from pagans. Therefore, we ought to support such people so that we can be coworkers with the truth.

Diotrephes and Demetrius

I wrote something to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have first place among them, does not receive our authority. This is why, if I come, I will remind him of the works he is doing, slandering us with malicious words. And he is not satisfied with that! He not only refuses to welcome fellow believers, but he even stops those who want to do so and expels them from the church.

Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God. Everyone speaks well of Demetrius — even the truth itself. And we also speak well of him, and you know that our testimony is true.

Farewell

I have many things to write you, but I don’t want to write to you with pen and ink. I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face.

Peace to you. The friends send you greetings. Greet the friends by name.

Closing Thoughts

Apparently, Diotrephes had started out with enough truth and people made him the leader of the church.  John had written to Diotrephes and encouraged him to welcome certain individuals, probably travelling preachers, to the church body.  But Diotrephes refused to do so, to the point of expelling from the church anyone who supported the people sent by John.

Diotrephes did not recognize John’s authority.  Imagine that: John was a favorite of Christ, the “one whom Christ loved”; he walked with Christ during His earthly ministry and learned firsthand His teachings.  But Diotrephes refused to accept John as a leader of the early church and follow his direction.  You can’t help but wonder what it was that Diotrephes was teaching!  Or thinking, for that matter.  The Gospel according to Diotrephes.  Power is a heady cocktail.  There is indeed nothing new under the sun.

Fortunately, Gaius refused to follow these orders and accommodated these travelling preachers in his own home.  John commends him for doing so, and for sending them on their way in a manner worthy of God Himself.  This is a good example for us to follow today.  If we are truly walking with Christ, then we must support the people who are devoting their time, energy, and lives to spreading the Gospel both in our neighborhoods and to the ends of the earth.

Everyone Speaks Well of Him

I want to touch on one more thing.  Diotrephes suffered from the sin of pride.  John tells us that “…he loves to have first place among them…”  John contrasts the behavior of Diotrephes with that of Demetrius, a fellow church member, and goes on to tell us that “… everyone speaks well of him.”  We should all strive to be more like Demetrius and less like Diotrephes.  Luke 14:10 shares these words of Christ with us: “But when you are invited, go and recline in the lowest place, so that when the one who invited you comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ You will then be honored in the presence of all other guests.”  Always good advice.  Let’s pray. 

Prayer

Dear Lord, thank you for the faithful followers of your word such as Gaius.  Thank you for the example that he provides for us.  Help us to accommodate and support the steadfast church members who have dedicated their lives to spreading Your gospel.  Forgive us for the sin of pride and help us to be satisfied with reclining in even the lowest place at the table, so long as that table belongs to You.  Amen.      

Thank you for joining me here today.  I pray God will grow in you what has been planted and watered here.  In this time of unprecedented struggle worldwide, we can look to God for guidance and comfort.  Be sensitive to those in your circle of influence who need a word of encouragement and invite them to join us.  If you like this show, it would be great if you give it a five-star review.  Don’t forget to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.  See you right here tomorrow.  Be well!

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Christian Standard Bible(r), Copyright (c) 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible(r) and CSB(r) are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.