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Diotrephes

3 John 1:1-15

3 John 1:1 The elder: To my cared about Gaius, whom I genuinely care about.
3 John 1:2 Cared about one; I pray that everything is going well with you and you are in good health, just as your throat is going well.
3 John 1:3 I was very glad when brothers came and testified to your loyalty to the truth—how you are walking truthfully.
3 John 1:4 I have no greater joy than this: to hear that my children walk truthfully.
3 John 1:5 Cared about one, you are living faithfully in whatever you do for the brothers and sisters, especially when they are strangers.
3 John 1:6 They have testified to your care before the congregation. You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God,
3 John 1:7 since they set out for the Name’s sake, accepting nothing from Nations.
3 John 1:8 That is why we ought to support such people to be coworkers with the truth.
3 John 1:9 I wrote something to the congregation, but Diotrephes, who loves to have first place among them, does not welcome us.
3 John 1:10 This is why if I come, I will remind him of what he is doing, slandering us with malicious words. And he is not satisfied with that! He refuses to welcome brothers and even stops those who want to do so and expels them from the congregation.
3 John 1:11 Cared about one: 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.
3 John 1:12 Everyone speaks well of Demetrius—even the truth itself. And we also speak well of him, so you know our testimony is true.
3 John 1:13 I have many things to write to you, but I don’t want to use pen and ink.
3 John 1:14 I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face.
3 John 1:15 Peace to you. The friends send you greetings. Greet the friends by name.

In his second letter, John had encouraged believers not to associate with deceivers who taught new things. In this third letter, he deals with the opposite problem. Diotrephes – apparently a leader in the church John writes to – has refused to accept a legitimate ministry. He used his position in the church to deny support to others, seeking to narrow the people’s attention to only himself.

I am concerned with the modern church’s emphasis on pastoral authority. It seems to be creating people like Diotrephes — people who equate their own leadership with God’s will and his way. When Jesus was asked about who would be in charge, he told his disciples to imitate the children. They were to assume that everyone else was their better, and live in submission to everyone.

There are some false teachings we ought to shun. But there are lots of legitimate ministries we ought to be accepting and supporting. Finding the appropriate balance will require discernment.

LORD, help us support legitimate manifestations of your Holy Spirit, while avoiding counterfeits. And help our leaders to stop hogging control of your church.