I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.
Parallel translations
- WEB I wrote to the assembly, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, doesn’t accept what we say.
- BSB I have written to the church about this, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not accept our instruction.
- NKJV I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us.
- NASB I wrote something to the church; but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, does not accept what we say.
- NLT I wrote to the church about this, but Diotrephes, who loves to be the leader, refuses to have anything to do with us.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
John had written to the church, but a man named Diotrephes, who craved preeminence, rejected John's authority. Pride and the love of being first corrupt church leadership.
Overview
In sharp contrast to faithful Gaius, Diotrephes is marked by a self-promoting ambition that refused even apostolic instruction. His love of being 'first' reveals a heart governed by pride rather than service. This stands directly against the way of Christ, who came not to be served but to serve, and warns the church against leaders who seek their own glory.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 12
- Titus 1:7–16For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
- Luke 22:24–27And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.
- Luke 9:48And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great.
- Matt 23:4–8For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.
- Mark 9:34But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest.
- Matt 10:40–42He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.
- Phil 2:3–5Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
- Rom 12:10Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
- 3 Jn 1:8We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.
- Mark 9:37Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.
- Mark 10:35–45And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire.
- Matt 20:20–28Then came to him the mother of Zebedee’s children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.
Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.
Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.
Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.
The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).
Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
Faithful love shown for the sake of 'the Name' is service rendered to Christ, who is the truth in which his people walk.
How 3 John 1:9 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.