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 they went out for the sake of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. 8Therefore we ought to support such people, so that we may prove to be fellow workers with the truth. I wrote something to the church; but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, does not accept what we say. 10For this reason, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with malicious words; and not satisfied with this, he himself does not receive the brothers either, and he forbids those who want to do so and puts them out of the church. 11Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does what is good is of God; the one who does what is evil has not seen God.

3 John 1:9 word by word

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

• I wroteγράφωgraphō · to writeG1125
• somethingτιςtis · oneG5100
• to the churchἐκκλησίαekklēsia · assemblyG1577
• but DiotrephesΔιοτρεφήςDiotrephēs · DiotrephesG1361
• who lovesφιλοπρωτεύωphiloprōteuō · to love to be firstG5383
• among them, does not acceptἐπιδέχομαιepidechomai · to welcomeG1926
• what we sayἐγώegō · I/weG1473

Cross-references for 3 John 1:9

• Matthew 20:20Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Jesus with her sons, bowing down and making a request of Him.
• Matthew 23:4And they tie up heavy burdens and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as their finger.
• Mark 9:34But they kept silent, for on the way they had discussed with one another which of them was the greatest.
• Mark 10:35James and John, the two sons of Zebedee, came up to Jesus, saying to Him, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask of You.”
• Luke 22:24And a dispute also developed among them as to which one of them was regarded as being the greatest.
• Romans 12:10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor,
• Philippians 2:3Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility consider one another as more important than yourselves;
• 3 John 1:8Therefore we ought to support such people, so that we may prove to be fellow workers with the truth.
• Matthew 10:40“The one who receives you receives Me, and the one who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.
• Mark 9:37“Whoever receives one child like this in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me does not receive Me, but Him who sent Me.”
• Luke 9:48and He said to them, “Whoever receives this child in My name receives Me, and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me; for the one who is least among all of you, this is the one who 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

• 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