One must not have all four of these to be guilty of sin. Diotrephes goes down in history as one whose priorities were confused and consequentially a nuisance in the lords church. Dave roberson ministries the family prayer center p. Diotrephes definition and meaning bible dictionary. Paul dealt with the lack of unity and contention among brethren at corinth see 1 and 2 corinthians. The epistle provides only the barest of hints about who diotrephes was and what he was doing. It allows one man to deemphasize the five equipping gifts to the church so that no one challenges his preeminence in the church. Diotrephes eastons bible dictionary bible dictionary. Robertson renowned greek scholar 18631934 i wrote to the church, but diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us. An influential member, perhaps minister, of some early church. Diotrephes was a trouble maker trying to run the church. They cast aspersions on newcomers perceived as threatening.
Diotrephes was a first century church leader and, somehow, had achieved the confidence and control of some of his unsuspecting brethren and, perhaps, some spineless followers that felt more secure in the company of this domineering tyrant than to prove all things for themselves and walk alone with god if necessary. In brief, diotrephes was a selfseeking troublemaker in an unnamed local church in the first century. The disease of diotrephes sermon by curtis kittrell, 3. Outline of the book of 3 john introduction most of the new testament deals with problem brethren and problems in the churches. This sermon was delivered at the iron hall assembly in belfast, northern ireland, by pastor david legge. When you think about it, it was a very unique time in church history. Now we are going to turn to the second chapter of the book of the revelation, and the title of the sermon this morning is the doctrine of the nicolaitans in our preaching through the bible and through the book and through the revelation, we are come to the third church, the church at pergamos. First he attacked the character of the apostles, not their doctrines or theology, but their character, unjustly accusing us with wicked words. The babylonians learn about ancient babylon and the people who. Orr it has sometimes been surmised that the letter which the elder wrote unto the church, according to 3 john 9, was the second epistle of john. Elders are being established, and the apostles are dying off. For it should be noted that diotrephes was able to sidestep his real problem. We know very little about diotrephes other than what we read in 3 john 911.
But before the last straw, there is often a long history of complicity with diotrephes sins, and this often becomes clear only over time, after getting out of the situation. Diotrephes was a leader most likely a pastor in the early church whom the apostle john named openly in john as being a leader who controlled those who were in his church. There have been occasional doubts raised by those who thought it possible that this was written by another disciple of the lord named john, but all the evidence points to the author as john the beloved disciple who also wrote the. The name jesus in ancient hebrew text yeshua in first century hebrew text. Diotrephes 3 john 912 john explains the main reason for this letter. Whenever he was speaking of the end of the age, jesus repeatedly told the disciples for them to not be deceived. Diotrephes was a man mentioned in the third epistle of john verses 911. The formatting has been changed to accomodate ease of printing for home computers.
The spirit of diotrephes can be summarized as one of. The heresy of diotrephes lives today i believe the answer is diotrephes. Unfortunately for all of us, there are still many diotrephes in the church today. The third letter of john was written to a christian man about how to take care of the true teachers who were traveling. Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence jack h. Since we are over 2000 years closer to the climax of the purpose of god, it is very important that we take. It is a delightful accompaniment to the second letter, which was written to a christian lady about how to handle the false teachers who were abroad in that day. Outline of the book of 3 john floral heights church of christ. The third letter of john is the shortest and the most personal book in the new. Summary of the new testament books gospels matthew date written 60s author matthew summary all four gospels tell about the life of jesus from the time before his birth to the time after his death and resurrection. Overcoming the spirit of diotrephes has masterfully contrasted the charactertraits of diotrephes with those of his godly associates gaius and demetrius and that of the elder, indwelt by the spirit of truth.
John wrote to the church, but diotrephes does not receive the apostles or their emissaries, because he seeks preeminence among the elders 3 john 9 the letter to which john refers is not part of the new testament. The theory of the church, and the history of its perversion i wrote unto the church, says john, but diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. Diotrephes used a wonderful and almost unassailable twopronged attack. Other gaius in the new testament are from corinth romans 16. Diotrephes is mentioned in one passage of the bible, in the short letter of 3 john.
Whether youre a follower or a leader particularly a christian leader, this is a book you would love to read. A person who is very insecured and easily threatened. Diotrephes in the bible encyclopedia isbe bible history. Sermons from third john the spirit of diotrephes 910. Brown comments, diotrephes is not a particularly common name. Brethren who would receive those whom diotrephes would not receive, he casteth them out of the church 3 john 10. This book surveys the history of gods redeeming grace. The apostle john, towards the end of his life date.
In addition to being ambitious, proud, disrespectful of apostolic authority, rebellious, and inhospitable, the author of the letter says that diotrephes tried to hinder those desiring to show. With these points concerning diotrephes in mind, let us call to mind the apostle pauls warning to the ephesian elders as the inspired luke records it in acts 20. The tradition from the earliest days of the church has been that the apostle john is the author. Paul exposed troubling false teachers in the book of galatians. Chapter 1 the holy spirits work within in the eternities of time past, a vast, complex plan for mankind unfolded on the inside of god. John 3, third letter, gaius, diotrephes, demetrius. It allows a man to put people out of the church who disagree with him so he has a platform for his ministry.
Chapter 14 is all about how to inflate the pride of the christian man wormwood has been assigned to. Wherefore, if i come, i will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words. For more information about the location of the church of which gaius was a member, see the overview on the books of 1 and 2 john, the sections entitled recipients. Evidently, he is in a position of power in the church, and john is not pleased with him. The spirit of diotrephes an excerpt from diotrephes. Entry for diotrephes faussets bible dictionary one of 28 bible dictionaries freely available, this book, with a clear and concise writing style, stands as one of the best dictionaries ever written. Pdf historical context of 3rd letter of john researchgate. On being blessed by diotrephes full contact christianity. Therefore, if i come, i will call to mind his deeds which he does, prating against us with malicious. Closing and travel plans 3 john 15 john ends his letter with a short note about his possible arrival in person and with a blessing.
It was transcribed from the twenty second recording in his 1, 2 and 3 john series, entitled diotrephes the man who hindered gods work transcribed by preach the word. This summary of the book of 3 john provides information about the title, author s, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of 3 john. For those who love the truth and hate error the departure. More often, though, something is finally the last straw. Although john addressed this letter to gaius 3 john 1. For his doing so, he may have been unjustly mistreated by a prominent leader of his congregation named diotrephes see 3 john 9, 10. Third john gives us an intimate glimpse into the life of the early church. Paul tells gaius he will deal with him when he comes. The spirit of diotrephes introduction one of the marks of the close of this age is the tremendous increase in deception. The tabernacle of ancient israel brief overview of the tabernacle of moses in the wilderness and the ark of the covenant. It is not known what his spiritual responsibilities were. The contents of this book, the walk of the spirit the walk of power are the same as the published version. It certainly is apparent enough that there are those who disregard these things sadly.
Throughout history and in churches today, men much like the three mentioned in this. This is how the name jesus would have been written in ancient hebrew documents. The letter from john states that diotrephes loves to be first among them, or, to put it in the language of today, feels that he is the headhoncho in charge and everything that the church does must gain his approval. The sad truth is that youll find the spirit of diotrephes alive and well in both secular and sacred organizations. By contrast, diotrephes serves as an exam ple that ought not to be imitated.
An expose of the oneman form of leadership in the church gardner, lloyd on. Bible roman empire map large map of the roman empire in the early first century click around on the places. Peace is possible in spite of those who love to be first. The history of rome brief overview of roman history from her dawn to the first punic war. Constables notes on 3 john 2020 edition the author was evidently the apostle john, who identified himself as the elder here v. Diotrephes faussets bible dictionary bible dictionary. They accuse bright, talented women of getting ahead by means other than their skills, talents, and qualifications. An expose of the oneman form of leadership in the church. In light of diotrephes not receiving john or his emissaries john will recount in a trial. The book of 3 john does not directly name its author. Pdf this paper discusses the authorship, location and audience of the third letter of john.
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