Diotrephes

Biblical Account

Diotrephes appears only in 3 John. His name occurs once, in 3 John 1:9, and the following verse, 3 John 1:10, describes his conduct. Third John is a short letter written to a believer named Gaius by a writer who identifies himself as "the elder."

According to the text, the elder had previously written to the church to which Diotrephes belonged. Diotrephes, however, "who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not" (3 John 1:9). The elder then lists three things Diotrephes did: he spoke against the elder and his associates "with malicious words"; he refused to receive the traveling brethren (workers who went about proclaiming the gospel); and he hindered the church members who wished to receive them and "casteth them out of the church" (3 John 1:10). The elder states that if he comes, he will call Diotrephes to account for what he has done.

Scripture says nothing about Diotrephes's background, his position in the church, or what became of him afterward.

Significance Within Scripture

Within 3 John, Diotrephes is portrayed in contrast to Gaius, who faithfully showed hospitality to brethren who were strangers, and to Demetrius, who "hath good report of all men." Drawing on his example, the letter exhorts, "follow not that which is evil, but that which is good" (3 John 1:11). Because hospitality toward itinerant evangelists was an important means of supporting the spread of the gospel in the early church, Diotrephes's obstruction of it is treated not merely as a personal dispute but as a breach of cooperation within the church.

Interpretations and Debates

• Status: Because he was able to expel other believers from the church, many interpreters conclude that he was a leader or an influential figure in that congregation. The text, however, does not specify his office.
• Nature of the conflict: Scholars differ over the cause of the conflict. Some attribute it to personal ambition and pride, others to a struggle for authority between a local church leader and itinerant ministers, and still others to doctrinal differences. Since 3 John criticizes only Diotrephes's attitude and actions rather than his teaching, many are cautious about identifying him with the false teachers warned against in 2 John.
• Authorship of the letter: Long-standing church tradition identifies "the elder" as the apostle John, although some scholars regard him as a different person.
• Name: The Greek name is commonly interpreted to mean roughly "nourished by Zeus," but drawing conclusions about his character or background from the meaning of his name goes beyond the text.

In the Korean Church

In Korean church preaching and Bible study, Diotrephes is frequently presented as a warning against pride, ambition for position, and the abuse of authority by church leaders. The Korean Revised Version's phrase for "who loves to be first" is often quoted, and he is contrasted with Gaius and Demetrius in discussions of the servant leader.