Devoted to the Propagation and Defense of New Testament Christianity
VOLUME 12
November 17, 1960
NUMBER 28, PAGE 9a

Diotrephes

Robert H. Farish, Lufkin, Texas

Diotrephes is described by the apostle John as one "who loveth to have the pre-eminence." (3 John 9) This fondness for pre-eminence caused this first century "rule or ruin" member of the church of Christ to prevent the church where he ruled from hearing what an apostle of the Lord wrote. Diotrephes is a prototype, in attitude and conduct, of many twentieth century members of the church of Christ. The modern versions of Diotrephes also prevent the church where they "lord it over them" from hearing what the apostles wrote. It is hard to understand how a member of the church becomes a Diotrephes when the spirit that produces and maintains such a character is so utterly contrary to the spirit which should dominate a member of the church. The answer, at least in part, is in the fact that many whose names are on church rolls have not been converted to Christ, they have just "joined the church."

The disciples of the Lord who were with him, when he was on the earth in the flesh, did not understand the character of true greatness. They got their ideas of greatness from the world; this idea of greatness required "lord(ing) it over them." Ponder these words of the Lord — "Ye know that they who are accounted to rule over the Gentiles lord it over them, and exercise authority over them. But it is not so among you: but whosoever would become great among you, shall be your minister, and whosoever would be first among you shall be servant of all. For the Son of Man also came not to be ministered unto but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many." (Mark 10:42-45) Anyone want to be first in the church? The Lord has explained how you can arrive at that coveted position. Real eminence is gained and kept by serving, not by "lording it over them."

"Evidently Diotrephes had some position in the church that gave him excuse to think he had full authority over all the affairs of the church. It is likely that he was an elder of the church, and dominated all the others. Naturally any letter written to that church would first fall into the hands of the elders. It seems that a note John had written to the church fell into the hands of Diotrephes and he refused to let it be read to the church. Diotrephes loved to have the pre-eminence; he wanted to appear big and important which is proof of a very small man. He had been prating against John with wicked words. Of course he had a following in the church, or he could not have made any headway with his highhanded methods. Just what John meant to do to him when he made his contemplated visit, he does not say. It is possible that he was an extreme Judaizing teacher, such as persecuted Paul. He would not allow any that were not of his sort to come into his home; if any members received such, he turned them out of the church."

"The conduct of some people is a puzzle to any thoughtful person. How a man can profess to be a Christian, and deceive himself into thinking that he is one, and yet manifest a spirit directly opposed to the spirit and teaching of Christianity, is a mystery. Take Diotrephes as an example. He would sell his soul for the satisfaction of being the big boss in a church of the Lord Jesus Christ. And yet he likely thought himself to be the most substantial Christian in that church."

R. L. Whiteside Annual Commentary on Bible Lessons, 1943