American Standard Version
3 John 1:9
9I wrote somewhat unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.
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
7because that for the sake of the Name they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles. 8We therefore ought to welcome such, that we may be fellow-workers for the truth. I wrote somewhat unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. 10Therefore, if I come, I will bring to remembrance his works which he doeth, prating against us with wicked words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and them that would he forbiddeth and casteth them out of the church. 11Beloved, imitate not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: he that doeth evil hath not seen God.
Read all of 3 John 13 John 1:9 word by word
Ἔγραψά τι τῇ ἐκκλησίᾳ· ἀλλ᾽ ὁ φιλοπρωτεύων αὐτῶν Διοτρέφης οὐκ ἐπιδέχεται ἡμᾶς.Read the interlinear
Cross-references for 3 John 1:9
- Matthew 20:20Then came to him the mother of the sons of Zebedee with her sons, worshipping him, and asking a certain thing of him.
- Matthew 23:4Yea, they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with their finger.
- Mark 9:34But they held their peace: for they had disputed one with another on the way, who was the greatest.
- Mark 10:35And there come near unto him James and John, the sons of Zebedee, saying unto him, Teacher, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall ask of thee.
- Luke 22:24And there arose also a contention among them, which of them was accounted to be greatest.
- Romans 12:10In love of the brethren be tenderly affectioned one to another; in honor preferring one another;
- Philippians 2:3doing nothing through faction or through vainglory, but in lowliness of mind each counting other better than himself;
- 3 John 1:8We therefore ought to welcome such, that we may be fellow-workers for the truth.
- Matthew 10:40He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.
- Mark 9:37Whosoever shall receive one of such little children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever receiveth me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.
- Luke 9:48and said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this little child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same is 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
In the dictionaries
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
American Standard Version — 1901 — Public Domain
Commentaries