In brief
Diotrephes is a leader in a local church at the end of the first century, known only from John’s third letter. The apostle describes him in a few words: he “loves to be first among them,” does not accept what John says, spreads wicked words against him, refuses to receive traveling brothers and throws out of the church those who would. John contrasts him with Gaius, faithful and welcoming, and with Demetrius, who has the testimony of all. Diotrephes has become the model of pride that turns service into domination.
What does the name Diotrephes mean?
Diotrephes is a Greek name generally explained as “nourished by Zeus” or “brought up by Zeus,” a name borne in families of standing. The Bible does not comment on it; John retains only a trait of character: “who loves to be first among them” (3 John 1:9).
The story of Diotrephes
A letter to Gaius
3 John 1:1-4The elder writes to Gaius, “the beloved,” whom he loves in truth. Brothers have testified that Gaius walks in truth, and John has no greater joy than to hear this about his children. It is in this atmosphere of affection that, by contrast, the portrait of Diotrephes appears.
Welcoming traveling brothers
3 John 1:5-8John commends Gaius for doing a faithful work toward the brothers, even strangers, who went out “for the sake of the Name,” taking nothing from the Gentiles. They should be sent on their way in a manner worthy of God, and such people received, so that believers become fellow workers for the truth. This is exactly what Diotrephes refuses to do.
The one who loves to be first
3 John 1:9“I wrote to the assembly, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, doesn’t accept what we say.” An earlier letter from John has been ignored, and Diotrephes rejects the apostle’s authority. John sums up his whole problem in one phrase: the love of the first place.
Wicked words and expulsions
3 John 1:10John announces that if he comes, he will call attention to what Diotrephes does: unjustly accusing the apostles with wicked words, refusing to receive the brothers, forbidding those who would, and throwing them out of the assembly. One man’s pride shuts the door on hospitality and divides the community.
Do not imitate evil, but good
3 John 1:11-12John concludes: “don’t imitate that which is evil, but that which is good. He who does good is of God. He who does evil hasn’t seen God.” Then he cites Demetrius, who has the testimony of all and of the truth itself. Diotrephes remains the counter-figure: the model not to follow.
What Diotrephes teaches us
- The love of the first place is a real danger in the church; ask yourself whether you serve to be seen or so that Christ is seen.
- Refusing to welcome the brothers is refusing to be a fellow worker with them for the truth; hospitality is an act of faith.
- Speaking evil of God’s servants and rejecting their authority reveals a heart that no longer lets itself be corrected.
- John shows you two paths, Gaius or Diotrephes: choose to imitate what is good, for he who does good is of God.
Key verses
The only verse that introduces Diotrephes sums up his heart: he loves to be first. This ambition leads him to reject the apostle John himself and the letter he had written.
John lists Diotrephes’s concrete deeds: wicked words, refusal to welcome, expulsion of those who do. Pride never stays inward; it produces visible fruit.
After describing Diotrephes, John does not call for fighting him but for not imitating him. The remedy for pride is to do good, the sign that one is of God.
Bible verses to meditate on
Sermons about Diotrephes
Frequently asked questions
Who is Diotrephes in the Bible?
Diotrephes is an influential member of a local church mentioned in 3 John 1:9-10. The apostle John says he loves to be first, does not accept what the apostles say, speaks wicked words against them, refuses to welcome the brothers and throws out those who would. He is contrasted with Gaius and Demetrius, who walk in truth.
What does the name Diotrephes mean?
Diotrephes is a Greek name, generally explained as “nourished by Zeus” or “brought up by Zeus.” It was borne in families of good standing. The Bible does not explain its meaning or draw any lesson from the name itself; it retains rather his attitude, the love of the first place (3 John 1:9).
Where is Diotrephes in the Bible?
Diotrephes appears only in John’s third letter, in verses 9 and 10. This short letter, addressed to Gaius, is fourteen verses long. It presents three men: Gaius, who welcomes the brothers, Diotrephes, who rejects them, and Demetrius, who has the testimony of all (3 John 1:1-14).