Who Was Diotrephes?
Diotrephes appears only once in Scripture, in 3 John 9-10, where the Apostle John addresses him directly in his third epistle. This brief but pointed reference reveals a man who held significant influence within his local church community, yet used his position in ways that grieved the apostle deeply. We know little about his background or how he came to his position of authority, but his actions speak volumes about the state of his heart and his understanding of Christian leadership.
The context of John's letter is important. John had written to Gaius, a beloved friend and fellow believer, commending him for his faithful hospitality toward traveling ministers and missionaries (3 John 1-8). But John also needed to address a serious problem in that same church: Diotrephes was actively opposing John's authority and hindering the work of gospel ministry. This was not a minor personality conflict—it was a spiritual matter that demanded correction.
The Problem of Pride and Power
John identifies Diotrephes's fundamental problem in verse 9: "I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us" (3 John 9, NKJV). The Greek word for "preeminence" is philoproteuo, which literally means to love being first. This wasn't about having appropriate leadership responsibility; this was about loving prominence itself—loving to be recognized, honored, and in control.
This love of preeminence led to concrete, harmful actions. Diotrephes was spreading malicious accusations against John and the apostolic circle (verse 10). More seriously, he was refusing to receive and welcome traveling ministers sent by John, and he was forbidding others in the church from showing them hospitality. He was even removing church members who disobeyed his orders, demonstrating how his desire for control extended to harsh, authoritarian practices. The picture that emerges is of a man more concerned with building his own kingdom than advancing God's kingdom.
What This Means for Us Today
Diotrephes stands as a timeless warning about the dangers of spiritual pride and the misuse of authority. In any church context—whether we're pastors, elders, small group leaders, or simply faithful members—we must examine our hearts honestly. Are we serving others, or are we seeking recognition? Are we humble enough to receive correction or instruction from Scripture and mature believers? Are we using whatever influence we have to build God's kingdom or our own reputation?
The good news is that we don't have to become like Diotrephes. If we cultivate humility, remain accountable to Scripture and to other believers, and remember that we are servants of Christ first and foremost, we can avoid his tragic path. Let us pray that God would give us the grace to love obscurity if it serves His purposes, and to receive correction with a grateful heart.
"I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us." — 3 John 9, NKJV