III John tells us about this man. He most likely was a Gentile and evidently, he was influential in the church to whom the Apostle John was writing. Let’s look at the two verses that describe this man.

“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” (III John 9-10).

From these two simple verses we learn six things about this man and not a single one is redeeming. I’d have to think long and hard to remember if we have had anyone in the past forty years that had the same reputation as Diotrephes. In a few conversations with other pastors, I have been told of men that stood against everything the church wanted to do. One was even brazened enough to sit on the back pew and read the paper while the pastor was preaching the morning message. What are the six sins of this lousy church member?

  1. He always wanted the spotlight. “…he loved the preeminence.” If it is always about you and much praise is sought, there is a spiritual problem. Humility is to be one of the most important traits of the followers of Christ.
  2. He refused to welcome the Apostles into the church. “…he receiveth us not.” There are no apostles in Christianity today, period! There are biblical qualifications to be an apostle and none of those can be met today. However, we do have other men of God. From time to time, I’ll invite one of those God-called men to preach for us. Each of us ought to welcome God’s men, pray for those men, and honor those men.
  3. He gossiped about the Apostles. “…prating against us with malicious words.”
  4. He wasn’t hospitable to other Christians. “…he doesn’t receive the brethren.” Travel in those days wasn’t as easy as it is today. We simply go online or make a call and just like magic we have a room at the Holiday Inn Express for the night. In those days, when people traveled they hoped the people in that land would allow them some comfort and possibly some food. This was especially to be true for believers. One of the qualifications to be a pastor is to be hospitable. Diotrephes refused to help the brothers and sisters that needed a little respite. I love it when multiple missionaries come for a conference and our people open their homes for them to rest and be restored a little.
  5. He wanted to control other people.  “…forbiddeth them that would.” He would seek to hinder others in the church from offering their homes and food to traveling believers. It is sad, but it is often true that when we sin, we don’t want to sin alone. Diotrephes is a man that likes controlling others. As Christians, there are many things forbidden for us in the Bible, but there are also issues that good people would differ. Here are two of my favorite stories from my childhood I believe illustrate the way we ought to live. First is the story of Cincinnatus. He was a Roman statesman. Rome was in grave danger and he was called upon to lead an army against the enemy. Being made dictator, he left his farm, taking charge of the Roman army. Tradition says he obtained victory in one day. Returning to Rome a victorious dictator, he promptly resigned and returned to his farm as a noble citizen. The second, is about George Washington. When the Revolutionary War ended and the new country was born, powerful people came to General Washington offering him to become the king of America. He refused, telling those men never to bring that subject up again, our government will be different. Both Cincinnatus and George Washington are revered in my mind.
  6. He kicked people out of the church. “,,,casteth them out of the church.” Diotrephes was definitely in some position of authority. Three men are mentioned in this epistle and he is one. Gaius is also a leader. He is a good Christian, constantly seeking to encourage. See verse 1-8. A second leader is Demetrius. He is a wonderful example for others to watch and follow in spirit and action. See verses 11-14. The third man mentioned is our lousy church member, Diotrephes. Carnal people hurt people. Let’s all be really careful in how we speak to others. On the flip side, don’t let someone offend you easily, especially with words that you might have misunderstood. The Christian standard is higher than the world’s, at least it is supposed to be.

It is time for a little inventory. Ask yourself some questions. Am I a good church member? Do I act like Diotrephes? Do I have a single trait of this man? If we do then it is time for repentance on our part. The Lord wants His bride, the Church, to be holy without spot and wrinkle. Let’s encourage each other to be great church members.