3 John 1:10 NKJV
Therefore, if I come, I will call to mind his deeds which he does, prating against us with malicious words. And not content with that, he himself does not receive the brethren, and forbids those who wish to, putting them out of the church.
3 John 1:10 provides a powerful example of apostolic correction and healthy leadership. John is writing to Gaius, whom he commends for welcoming traveling ministers and supporting the work of the gospel. In contrast, he describes a leader named Diotrephes, who had developed a pattern of prideful and controlling behavior within the church.
When John says, “If I come, I will call to mind his deeds,” he is not threatening revenge or destruction. Rather, he is saying that he intends to bring these matters into the light and hold Diotrephes accountable. John demonstrates that genuine spiritual authority does not ignore harmful behavior, but neither does it seek personal vengeance. It seeks truth, correction, and restoration of proper order.
John first addresses the fact that Diotrephes was “prating against us with malicious words.” The word “prating” refers to empty, foolish, or harmful speech. Diotrephes was apparently spreading accusations and speaking negatively about John and the other apostles. These were not sincere concerns or doctrinal discussions. John specifically calls them “malicious words,” indicating that they were intended to damage reputations and undermine legitimate ministry.
John then says that Diotrephes was “not content with that.” In other words, the problem extended beyond his speech. Diotrephes also refused to receive fellow believers and traveling ministers. In the early church, hospitality was a vital part of supporting gospel work. By refusing to receive these brethren, Diotrephes was resisting ministry that John himself endorsed.
The situation became even more serious because Diotrephes was not merely refusing them personally. He was actively preventing others from receiving them as well. He sought to control who people could support, who they could fellowship with, and who they could hear from. This reveals that the root issue was not doctrine but a desire for control and preeminence. John had already identified this motive in verse 9 when he said that Diotrephes “loves to have the preeminence.”
Finally, John notes that Diotrephes was putting people out of the church for showing hospitality to these ministers. Those who disagreed with him or chose to support the brethren risked exclusion. This represents an abuse of spiritual authority. Rather than serving the flock, Diotrephes was using his position to dominate and isolate people.
The larger lesson is that spiritual leadership is never meant to be built upon control, intimidation, or the desire to be first. Diotrephes serves as a warning of what can happen when pride enters leadership. His actions included attacking fellow servants of God, restricting fellowship, controlling relationships, and punishing those who disagreed with him.
Jesus taught a completely different model of leadership. He said that the greatest among His followers would be servants. Kingdom leadership is not about controlling access to God, controlling information, or controlling people. It is about serving others and helping them grow in Christ.
One of the most interesting aspects of this passage is what John chooses to confront. The problem was not that Diotrephes showed too much mercy or too much kindness. The problem was that he used his influence to reject, exclude, and isolate believers. In many ways, John is actually defending fellowship here. He is standing up for believers who desired to receive and support fellow workers in Christ.
The chapter concludes with John’s exhortation: “Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good” (3 John 1:11). John’s goal is not simply to expose a bad example. His goal is to direct believers toward a better one. Scripture often does this. God not only shows us what to avoid, but also what to become.
For me, one of the most encouraging lessons from this passage is seeing how John handled the situation. He did not launch a public crusade of destruction. He did not tell everyone to hate Diotrephes. He simply identified the behavior, brought it into the light, and trusted godly accountability to address the problem. That balance of truth, courage, and restraint remains a valuable model for Christian leaders today.
Therefore, if I come, I will call to mind his deeds which he does, prating against us with malicious words. And not content with that, he himself does not receive the brethren, and forbids those who wish to, putting them out of the church.
3 John 1:10 provides a powerful example of apostolic correction and healthy leadership. John is writing to Gaius, whom he commends for welcoming traveling ministers and supporting the work of the gospel. In contrast, he describes a leader named Diotrephes, who had developed a pattern of prideful and controlling behavior within the church.
When John says, “If I come, I will call to mind his deeds,” he is not threatening revenge or destruction. Rather, he is saying that he intends to bring these matters into the light and hold Diotrephes accountable. John demonstrates that genuine spiritual authority does not ignore harmful behavior, but neither does it seek personal vengeance. It seeks truth, correction, and restoration of proper order.
John first addresses the fact that Diotrephes was “prating against us with malicious words.” The word “prating” refers to empty, foolish, or harmful speech. Diotrephes was apparently spreading accusations and speaking negatively about John and the other apostles. These were not sincere concerns or doctrinal discussions. John specifically calls them “malicious words,” indicating that they were intended to damage reputations and undermine legitimate ministry.
John then says that Diotrephes was “not content with that.” In other words, the problem extended beyond his speech. Diotrephes also refused to receive fellow believers and traveling ministers. In the early church, hospitality was a vital part of supporting gospel work. By refusing to receive these brethren, Diotrephes was resisting ministry that John himself endorsed.
The situation became even more serious because Diotrephes was not merely refusing them personally. He was actively preventing others from receiving them as well. He sought to control who people could support, who they could fellowship with, and who they could hear from. This reveals that the root issue was not doctrine but a desire for control and preeminence. John had already identified this motive in verse 9 when he said that Diotrephes “loves to have the preeminence.”
Finally, John notes that Diotrephes was putting people out of the church for showing hospitality to these ministers. Those who disagreed with him or chose to support the brethren risked exclusion. This represents an abuse of spiritual authority. Rather than serving the flock, Diotrephes was using his position to dominate and isolate people.
The larger lesson is that spiritual leadership is never meant to be built upon control, intimidation, or the desire to be first. Diotrephes serves as a warning of what can happen when pride enters leadership. His actions included attacking fellow servants of God, restricting fellowship, controlling relationships, and punishing those who disagreed with him.
Jesus taught a completely different model of leadership. He said that the greatest among His followers would be servants. Kingdom leadership is not about controlling access to God, controlling information, or controlling people. It is about serving others and helping them grow in Christ.
One of the most interesting aspects of this passage is what John chooses to confront. The problem was not that Diotrephes showed too much mercy or too much kindness. The problem was that he used his influence to reject, exclude, and isolate believers. In many ways, John is actually defending fellowship here. He is standing up for believers who desired to receive and support fellow workers in Christ.
The chapter concludes with John’s exhortation: “Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good” (3 John 1:11). John’s goal is not simply to expose a bad example. His goal is to direct believers toward a better one. Scripture often does this. God not only shows us what to avoid, but also what to become.
For me, one of the most encouraging lessons from this passage is seeing how John handled the situation. He did not launch a public crusade of destruction. He did not tell everyone to hate Diotrephes. He simply identified the behavior, brought it into the light, and trusted godly accountability to address the problem. That balance of truth, courage, and restraint remains a valuable model for Christian leaders today.
3 John 1:10 NKJV
Therefore, if I come, I will call to mind his deeds which he does, prating against us with malicious words. And not content with that, he himself does not receive the brethren, and forbids those who wish to, putting them out of the church.
3 John 1:10 provides a powerful example of apostolic correction and healthy leadership. John is writing to Gaius, whom he commends for welcoming traveling ministers and supporting the work of the gospel. In contrast, he describes a leader named Diotrephes, who had developed a pattern of prideful and controlling behavior within the church.
When John says, “If I come, I will call to mind his deeds,” he is not threatening revenge or destruction. Rather, he is saying that he intends to bring these matters into the light and hold Diotrephes accountable. John demonstrates that genuine spiritual authority does not ignore harmful behavior, but neither does it seek personal vengeance. It seeks truth, correction, and restoration of proper order.
John first addresses the fact that Diotrephes was “prating against us with malicious words.” The word “prating” refers to empty, foolish, or harmful speech. Diotrephes was apparently spreading accusations and speaking negatively about John and the other apostles. These were not sincere concerns or doctrinal discussions. John specifically calls them “malicious words,” indicating that they were intended to damage reputations and undermine legitimate ministry.
John then says that Diotrephes was “not content with that.” In other words, the problem extended beyond his speech. Diotrephes also refused to receive fellow believers and traveling ministers. In the early church, hospitality was a vital part of supporting gospel work. By refusing to receive these brethren, Diotrephes was resisting ministry that John himself endorsed.
The situation became even more serious because Diotrephes was not merely refusing them personally. He was actively preventing others from receiving them as well. He sought to control who people could support, who they could fellowship with, and who they could hear from. This reveals that the root issue was not doctrine but a desire for control and preeminence. John had already identified this motive in verse 9 when he said that Diotrephes “loves to have the preeminence.”
Finally, John notes that Diotrephes was putting people out of the church for showing hospitality to these ministers. Those who disagreed with him or chose to support the brethren risked exclusion. This represents an abuse of spiritual authority. Rather than serving the flock, Diotrephes was using his position to dominate and isolate people.
The larger lesson is that spiritual leadership is never meant to be built upon control, intimidation, or the desire to be first. Diotrephes serves as a warning of what can happen when pride enters leadership. His actions included attacking fellow servants of God, restricting fellowship, controlling relationships, and punishing those who disagreed with him.
Jesus taught a completely different model of leadership. He said that the greatest among His followers would be servants. Kingdom leadership is not about controlling access to God, controlling information, or controlling people. It is about serving others and helping them grow in Christ.
One of the most interesting aspects of this passage is what John chooses to confront. The problem was not that Diotrephes showed too much mercy or too much kindness. The problem was that he used his influence to reject, exclude, and isolate believers. In many ways, John is actually defending fellowship here. He is standing up for believers who desired to receive and support fellow workers in Christ.
The chapter concludes with John’s exhortation: “Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good” (3 John 1:11). John’s goal is not simply to expose a bad example. His goal is to direct believers toward a better one. Scripture often does this. God not only shows us what to avoid, but also what to become.
For me, one of the most encouraging lessons from this passage is seeing how John handled the situation. He did not launch a public crusade of destruction. He did not tell everyone to hate Diotrephes. He simply identified the behavior, brought it into the light, and trusted godly accountability to address the problem. That balance of truth, courage, and restraint remains a valuable model for Christian leaders today.
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