3 John 1:9

3 John 1:9 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.
• New International Version (NIV)I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not welcome us.
• English Standard Version (ESV)I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority.
• New King James Version (NKJV)I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us.

Context of 3 John 1:9

7For these [traveling missionaries] went out for the sake of the Name [of Christ], accepting nothing [in the way of assistance] from the Gentiles. 8So we ought to support such people [welcoming them as guests and providing for them], so that we may be fellow workers for the truth [that is, for the gospel message of salvation]. I wrote something to the church; but Diotrephes, who loves to put himself first, does not accept what we say and refuses to recognize my authority. 10For this reason, if I come, I will call attention to what he is doing, unjustly accusing us with wicked words and unjustified charges. And not satisfied with this, he refuses to receive the [missionary] brothers himself, and also forbids those who want to [welcome them] and puts them out of the church. 11Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but [imitate] what is good. The one who practices good [exhibiting godly character, moral courage and personal integrity] is of God; the one who practices [or permits or tolerates] evil has not seen God [he has no personal experience with Him and does not know Him at all].

3 John 1:9 word by word

Ἔγραψά τι τῇ ἐκκλησίᾳ· ἀλλ᾽ ὁ φιλοπρωτεύων αὐτῶν Διοτρέφης οὐκ ἐπιδέχεται ἡμᾶς.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• I wrote untoγράφωgraphō · to writeG1125
• the churchἐκκλησίαekklēsia · assemblyG1577
• butἀλλάalla · butG235
• DiotrephesΔιοτρεφήςDiotrephēs · DiotrephesG1361
• who loveth to have the preeminenceφιλοπρωτεύωphiloprōteuō · to love to be firstG5383
• among themαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• receivethἐπιδέχομαιepidechomai · to welcomeG1926
• usἐγώegō · I/weG1473
• notοὐou · noG3756

Cross-references for 3 John 1:9

• Matthew 20:20Then [Salome] the mother of Zebedee’s children [James and John] came up to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down [in respect], asked a favor of Him.
• Matthew 23:4The scribes and Pharisees tie up heavy loads [that are hard to bear] and place them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves will not lift a finger [to make them lighter].
• Mark 9:34But they kept quiet, because on the road they had discussed and debated with one another which one [of them] was the greatest.
• Mark 10:35James and John, the two sons of Zebedee, came to Him, saying, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask of You.”
• Luke 22:24Now a dispute also arose among them as to which of them was regarded to be the greatest.
• Romans 12:10Be devoted to one another with [authentic] brotherly affection [as members of one family], give preference to one another in honor;
• Philippians 2:3Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit [through factional motives, or strife], but with [an attitude of] humility [being neither arrogant nor self-righteous], regard others as more important than yourselves.
• 3 John 1:8So we ought to support such people [welcoming them as guests and providing for them], so that we may be fellow workers for the truth [that is, for the gospel message of salvation].
• Matthew 10:40“He who receives and welcomes you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.
• Mark 9:37“Whoever receives and welcomes one child such as this in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me receives not [only] Me, but Him who sent Me.”
• Luke 9:48and He told them, “Whoever welcomes this child in My name welcomes Me; and whoever welcomes Me [also] welcomes Him who sent Me; for the one who is least among all of you [that is, the one who is genuinely humble—the one with a realistic self-view]—he is the one who is [truly] great.”

Commentaries on 3 John 1:9

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 9I wrote unto the Church - The Church where Caius was; but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the pre-eminence, , who loves the presidency, or chief place in the Church. He was doubtless an officer in the Church, at least a deacon, probably a bishop; and, being one, he magnified himself in his office; he loved such eminence, and behaved himself haughtily in it. Receiveth us not - Does not acknowledge the apostolical authority. As some MSS. supply after , and…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 9I wrote unto the church - That is on the former occasion when they went forth. At that time, John naturally commended them to the kind attentions of the church, not doubting but that aid would be rendered them in prosecuting their benevolent work among the Gentiles. The Epistle which was written on that occasion is now lost, and its contents cannot now be ascertained. It was, probably, however, a letter of mere commendation, perhaps stating the object…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 9-12Verses 9-12 Both the heart and mouth must be watched. The temper and spirit of Diotrephes was full of pride and ambition. It is bad not to do good ourselves; but it is worse to hinder those who would do good. Those cautions and counsels are most likely to be accepted, which are seasoned with love. Follow that which is good, for he that doeth good, as delighting therein, is born of God. Evil-workers vainly pretend or boast acquaintance with God. Let us not…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 9I have written to the church about this: This could refer to 1 John or to a letter that is now lost. Diotrephes was proud and thought himself important. He was motivated by selfish ambition (see 1 Timothy 3:6). will not accept our instruction: This disagreement was a major issue that John addressed in 1 John (see, for example, 1 John 2:19; 4:5–6). Diotrephes rejected the teachers sent by John and removed any church members who accepted them. He wanted to…Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 99. I wrote--The oldest manuscripts add "something": a communication, probably, on the subject of receiving the brethren with brotherly love (3Jo 8, 10). That Epistle was not designed by the Spirit for the universal Church, or else it would have been preserved. unto the church--of which Gaius is a member. loveth ... pre-eminence--through ambition. Evidently occupying a high place in the Church where Gaius was (3Jo 10). among them--over the members of the…Read the comment

Topics related to 3 John 1:9

• Ambition
• Church
• Diotrephes
• Minister, Christian
• Presumption

In the dictionaries

• Diotrephes

Commentaries on 3 John 1

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings