⁹ . . . [Diotrephes] does not accept what we say.¹⁰For this reason, if I come, I will call attention to his [Diotrephes] 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.

What marked Diotrephes for the apostle John’s denunciation? First, as we saw in the previous notes, his desire to be first in the church was evident. The man’s negative reputation must have gotten back to John, just as the excellent reputation of Gaius was well known to the apostle.

Second, Diotrephes directly rejected John’s apostolic teaching. Even today, some individuals reject certain parts of the NT—if not blatantly then subtly, by blaming traditional interpretations on faulty hermeneutics (principles of interpretation) or simply by neglecting to teach passages that would undermine their teaching. The apostle Paul asserted, “All Scripture is inspired” (2 Tim. 3:16). Diotrephes resisted not only John’s teachings but the teachings of all others who came to teach the truth. He wanted to be the prima-donna, the cleric, the pastor at the pinnacle of the authority pyramid. Following John’s example, we must resist such men.

Third, Diotrephes “unjustly accused” John and those who faithfully teach the truth. Those in local church leadership understand this comment well, being accustomed to accusations of selfish and ulterior motives. Often the allegations reflect the guilt of the accuser, in this case, Diotrephes’ own errant motives.

Fourth, “wicked words” signal distinct fleshly attitudes. In laying out the qualifications of an elder, Paul wrote that they are to be temperate, peaceable, respectable, and not pugnacious, that is, forcefully argumentative (1 Tim. 3:2–3). Diotrephes failed these qualifications for leadership in the local church.

Fifth, he flatly rejected those visiting preachers, teachers, and evangelists who taught in harmony with apostolic teaching. And lastly, Diotrephes authoritatively and forcefully forbade any believers, by threat of excommunication, from supporting visiting servants of the Lord.

How much influence Diotrephes actually had is difficult to ascertain. Gaius, for one, was not led astray from the truth. However, many Christians follow false teachers like sheep to the slaughter. Errant teachers, therefore, can hinder the work of the Lord by the constant stress and conflict they bring to the church. We should not be surprised when this happens; Paul warned about its inevitability (Acts 20:28–30). But we need to be vigilant to guard against anyone who exhibits the above characteristics.

Lord, help me not be a Diotrephes, seeking my will and not Yours in the church.