3 John 9-15

 9: I wrote something to the church; but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, does not accept what we say.
10: For this reason, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words; and not satisfied with this, he himself does not receive the brethren, either, and he forbids those who desire to do so and puts them out of the church.

11: Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God.
12: Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself; and we add our testimony, and you know that our testimony is true.

13: I had many things to write to you, but I am not willing to write them to you with pen and ink;
14: but I hope to see you shortly, and we will speak face to face.
15: Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.

*** 

After expressing his gratitude to Gaius for his love toward the ministers who were preaching the gospel with no charge to the Gentiles, John then spoke of Diotrephes, describing him as one who, "loves to be first among them," and, "does not accept what we say."

John had written to the church, and Diotrephes did not receive the word. He had unjustly accused John and his messengers with, "wicked words." Beyond that, not only would he not receive what they had said himself, he forbid those who did, and excommunicated them from the church. Diotrephes apparently had enough influence in the church for this to happen. John said if he came himself, he would call attention to his deeds.

There existed a party of believers, converted Gentiles, who followed Paul with an anti-Jewish tendency. This party formed through no fault of Paul, but because of his warnings regarding those of the circumcision who were taking advantage of their "rights" as ministers (2 Corinthians 11:22, Philippians 3:2). It's possible Diotrephes was of this party and hostile toward any Jewish-born ministers of the Gospel, including John.1 

John tried to bring harmony to the Christian church, emphasizing Jesus' command to love. He spoke well of Demetrius and his testimony, "from everyone," which lined up with the truth itself--the Gospel of Christ. John said he, and those with him, added their own testimony--that Demetrius followed what was true--and said that he, Gaius, knew that John & Co.'s testimony was true.

He closed by telling of his desire to see him shortly, and with peace and greetings.


1 https://biblehub.com/commentaries/jfb/3_john/1.htm, retrieved October 26, 2021

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