DIOTREPHES AND DEMETRIUS

3 John 9-12 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. 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. Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God. Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true.

In the prior verses of this short epistle, John commends all Christians that conduct their lives, by faithfully walking in the truths, found in the word of God, and especially to one named Gaius. It is evident, from the opening verse of the lesson text, that John had written a letter unto the church of which Gaius was a member. The specific church of Christ to whom it is written, is not known. In John's second epistle we learned of the faithful elect lady and her children, and in this, his third epistle, we are told of the righteous example of one named Gaius. Here in the lesson text, John tells us about two other individuals that were, more than likely, members of this same body of Christ.

Within the lesson text we find an extreme contrast of individual Christians. The contrast is between righteous Christians and unrighteous Christians. God expects all Christians to be faithful to His will, that is, to be obedient and good. However, it is sad but true, not all Christians continue to do that which is good. For various selfish reasons, some rebel from doing good and follow that which is evil in the sight of God. The example of a Christian acting in an evil manner is noted here in the person of Diotrephes. Whatever the content of John's letter was, as referred to in the lesson text, Diotrephes rejected it. This he did, even though he was evidently a leader, possibly an elder, of this particular church of Christ. Diotrephes was evidently a very ambitious and unscrupulous church official, who rebelled against the authority of John, and refused to receive, and heed, the teachings contained his letter that was addressed to them.

The reason Diotrephes developed this rebellious character is the same reason that many other church leaders, throughout the ages of Christianity, and to the present day, do the same. Of Diotrephes, John writes, that he loveth to have the preeminence among them, that is, among the members of this congregation of God's people. A person that loves to have preeminence among others is described in the commentary of Barnes' Notes, as one "who loves to be first, ...to be at the head of all things, to rule, to lord over others." It is a person, having this evil characteristic, that finds it extremely difficult to be "taught" by others, even if what is being taught is scriptural in its content. The fear of losing one's eminent position of control, leads to arrogant criticism of all others that may jeopardize their authority.

This seemed to be the evil character of Diotrephes. He spoke against the apostolic authority of John, and the letter he had written to them, with malicious words. The messengers bearing John's letters, Diotrephes refused to welcome and receive. Not only that, but he forbiddeth them that would have received them and the message they delivered. They were refused fellowship with the congregation by Diotrephes, and cast out of the church. The evils inherent in the inordinate desire for preeminence, the desire to rule, the desire to lord over others, can easily be seen in the lesson text. There is no room in the kingdom of God for sinfully ambitious, arrogant elders, deacons, preachers, teachers, or even members of the body of Christ. Such actions are ugly, are evil in their nature, and are always harmful to the church of Christ.

The evils of Diotrephes are contrasted to the good characteristics of Demetrius. We know little about this man, but John tells us all we need to know about him - he had a good report of all men. No doubt he was a good Christian that was well grounded in the truth. It is evident from verse 12, that John personally knew Demetrius and, in this text, attests to his good character. The plea of the apostle John is stated in verse 11 where he gives this admonition to all Christians: Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God. Diotrephes is an example of evil; Demetrius is an example of good. Follow that which is good!