The Standard September 27, 2025
In the Third Epistle of John, the “elder” writes to a “dear friend” and beloved church leader named Gaius, who is faithful to the truth. This congregation likely was in Asia Minor, or modern-day Turkey. It was a common practice in early Christian communities for hospitality to be extended to itinerant teachers and preachers. These missionaries operated in a network. The Apostle John commends Gaius for lovingly welcoming these traveling strangers, as they minister for the sake of the gospel. He also writes to address issues being caused by a problematic leader.
“I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not welcome us. So, when I come, I will call attention to what he is doing, spreading malicious nonsense about us. Not satisfied with that, he even refuses to welcome other believers. He also stops those who want to do so and puts them out of the church. Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God. Demetrius is well spoken of by everyone—and even by the truth itself. We also speak well of him, and you know that our testimony is true.” 3 John 1:9-12
The literal translation from the Greek is that Diotrephes is the (one) “loving to be first” among them. Perhaps Diotrephes originally demonstrated good leadership potential. Whatever happened, he got to a position of power and used it in destructive ways. At the root of his bad leadership is an attitude of self-importance and a refusal to listen to correction. To be a Christian leader, one must model humility, service, and repentance. Jesus repeatedly states that in the Kingdom of God paradigm, contrary to that of the world, the first will be last.
“They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he [Jesus] asked them, ‘What were you arguing about on the road?’ But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest. Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, ‘Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.’” Mark 9:33-35
In refusing to allow traveling missionaries to come to the church, Diotrephes is not acting out of love. By maliciously spreading negative falsehoods about John and other Christians, he poisons the community of faith. Discord and division should not be hallmarks of any congregation or the church universal.
Demetrius, on the other hand, has such a widely-held, fine reputation because his actions are aligned with the truth. John relays this praise.
The unfortunate reality is that too many congregations have a Diotrephes. In the best-case scenario, those who sow seeds of division are not given positions of authority. Instead, we should choose leaders like Demetrius, who exemplify what it looks like to be a humble Christ-follower.
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