Diotrephes Likes to Put Himself First – 3 John 1:9,10

It is fascinating that here, in the first century church, there are people who brazenly reject the authority of the apostles and seek to elevate their authority above God’s appointed leaders in the church.  Having apostles does not guarantee a pure church.  Interestingly, the apostles never set themselves up as “popes” but always used their moral persuasion to influence erring churches (hence most of our New Testament letters).  But there is always someone who figures out how to gain a hold on a church to sway it to their personal advantage.  And it is not always easy to get them out of the way.

I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority. 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 1:9-10 ESV)

In contrast with how well Gaius is doing, Diotrephes is being wicked.  He is in a position of leadership in this church but rather than serving others as an example, he is using his position for personal purposes.

He rejects John’s authority.  John had written to this church about receiving approved itinerant teachers from John, but DIotrephes had been putting believers out of the church who did this.  He was manipulating the disciplinary process churches practiced, ruling against those who wanted to receive John’s approved teachers.

Diotrephes liked putting himself first.  We don’t know why he was willing to ignore the apostle’s authority or what he was gaining from his position, but it had something to do with putting himself first.  Leaders who do this have used their position for personal monetary gain, for the sense of power it gives them to boost their self-esteem, and for sexual gain.

John will “bring up” what is happening, which seems to indicate that he will go through the proper church channels of discipline when he comes.  Perhaps the other leaders are too intimidated by Diotrephes to do this on their own.

The church of Jesus Christ has been given directions for dealing with sin and on how to lead, but it is always the case that wicked people find ways to get around the directions.  But God will answer our prayers for cleansing and correcting.  As Jesus tells the church at Laodicea (Revelation 3:20), if only one person in a church opens the door to him, he will come in and fellowship with that person.  This is the path to him restoring any church.