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Gaius vs. Diotrephes (part 2)
Gaius vs. Diotrephes (part 2)
In John’s third letter, John praises a man named Gaius for walking in truth, and for showing love to the brethren even when they came as strangers. John had to write his letter directly to Gaius, because although he had written a letter to the church, it had been quashed. John says,
I wrote something to the church; but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, does not accept what we say. 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 (9-10).
Sadly, the spirit of Diotrephes is alive and well in the Lord’s church today. Now, it’s not that we should scream, “Diotrephes, Diotrephes!” every time someone offers a challenge to people or doctrines. Indeed, there are many occasions when this is the necessary course of action. We are commanded to mark and even remove our brothers in Christ in cases of flagrant, unrepented sin (1 Cor. 5:1-13, Matt. 18:15-17), undisciplined living (2 Thess. 3:6- 15), false teaching (2 John 9-11), and factious behavior (Titus 3:10, Rom. 16:17-18). It is difficult, but essential, in order to secure the sanctity of the body of Christ (1 Cor. 5:6-8) and to encourage the salvation of the sinner (1 Cor. 5:3-5, 1 Tim. 1:20, 2 Thess. 3:15).
So, if not the act of justly and wisely exercising church discipline, what was Diotrephes’s crime?
He Loved Preeminence
Diotrephes “loves to be first among them.” There is a sort of person who wants to be in charge of everything. He relishes the exercise of power, and whether he is the President of the United States or the president of the local gardeners’ club, he is never happier than when he dictates terms to others beneath him.
We’ve all run into that guy in the world, but it is sad and frustrating that this spirit sometimes exists in the church. Men who have successfully kept away from drunkenness, remained faithful to one spouse, and developed the habit of attending worship services, can still fall prey to a particularly ugly sin that disturbs whole congregations: the sin of pride.
In His church, the Lord has ordained leadership, but for the strength of the body, not for the thrill of the self-important leader. Diotrephes needs to learn it’s not about him, it’s about the Lord. The example of Jesus is humble service (Eph. 4:2, Phil. 2:3-8), and a Christian who loses touch with humility stops being a follower of Jesus. Not even shepherds are to “lord it over those allotted to your charge” (1 Peter 5:3; compare Numb. 12:3, 11:29, Matt. 20:28, 23:6). Leadership is simply one talent among many given to the body for the flourishing of the whole (Eph. 4:11, Rom. 12:8). “Whoever wishes to become great among you will become your servant” (Mark 10:42-45).
He Did Not Submit to the Truth
Diotrephes “does not accept what we say.” It should hardly surprise us that a man who loves calling the shots would resist the authority of God’s appointed spokesmen. The “we” here are the Apostles, who were handpicked by Jesus Christ to reveal the truth (2 Cor. 5:20, Acts 2:42, Eph. 3:4, Gal. 1:6-9). Not accepting their doctrine was the same as not accepting the word of Christ. He was even willing to “unjustly accuse” the Apostles with wicked words.
Some leaders today rush forward even at the expense of the truth. They may not come right out and say, “I don’t care what the Bible says, we’re going to do it this way,” but that is basically what happens. We must be watchful against this, especially in smaller congregations without elders, when one family places a stranglehold on the treasury, service roster, and decision making.
He Did Not Get Involved with the Work
Diotrephes “does not receive the brethren.” These brethren are the ones John mentions in vv. 6-8, faithful evangelists spreading the truth who “accepted nothing from the Gentiles” and who relied on their brethren for support. One wonders why Diotrephes refused hospitality. Was it simply because he was lazy or too busy, and couldn’t be bothered to help? Did he view their offer to teach as a threat to his own glow of authority? Whatever the reason, Diotrephes’ sin did not stop with mere neglect.
He Kicked Out Those Who Did Not Agree
Diotrephes “puts ... out of the church” those who dared act without his approval. Thus, Diotrephes managed to reduce the sacred duty of rebuke and discipline to nothing more than power and favoritism. What an awful thing to imagine being in Diotrephes’ shoes, not only on the day the Apostle comes to set things straight, but on the day he stands before the Judge of hearts. “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you shut off the kingdom of heaven from people; for you do not enter in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in” (Matthew 23:13).
Oppose the spirit of Diotrephes; encourage the work of Gaius!
—John Guzzetta
