The Contrast of two

3 John 9–14 “I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church. Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God. Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true. I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee: but I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name.”

Who is Diotrephes?

Diotrephes - “nourished by Zeus”

The only place he is mentioned in scripture is 3 John 1:9-10

John felt impressed to address Diotrephes and warn Gaius not to be like him.

Diotrephes wanted the preeminence among people. He wanted to be first. He wanted to be noticed for what he was doing. Proverbs 16:18 “Pride goeth before destruction, And an haughty spirit before a fall.”

Refused John - He didn’t want anything to do with John or anything that John had to say.

Said harmful things about John, which John promised he would take care of.

Did not receive the fellow laborers in Christ - Missionaries that may have been sent to the area to help. He also had those who would help to be cast out of the church.

3 John 11 “Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.”

John changes direction here in verse 11. He instructs Gaius by calling him “Beloved”. He also refers to Gaius by this same in verse 2. He wants him to follow that which is good because they are of God. He also wants him to be careful and not follow those who are evil, which are not of God.

John now tells Gaius to look at the example of Demetrius, who has a good report of all men and of John himself.

A comparison I have drawn with studying this is Paul to Timothy and Titus and John to Gaius.