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 are traveling for the Lord, and they accept nothing from people who are not believers. 8So we ourselves should support them so that we can be their partners as they teach the truth. I wrote to the church about this, but Diotrephes, who loves to be the leader, refuses to have anything to do with us. 10When I come, I will report some of the things he is doing and the evil accusations he is making against us. Not only does he refuse to welcome the traveling teachers, he also tells others not to help them. And when they do help, he puts them out of the church. 11Dear friend, don’t let this bad example influence you. Follow only what is good. Remember that those who do good prove that they are God’s children, and those who do evil prove that they do not know God.

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 the mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus with her sons. She knelt respectfully to ask a favor.
• Matthew 23:4They crush people with unbearable religious demands and never lift a finger to ease the burden.
• Mark 9:34But they didn’t answer, because they had been arguing about which of them was the greatest.
• Mark 10:35Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came over and spoke to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do us a favor.”
• Luke 22:24Then they began to argue among themselves about who would be the greatest among them.
• Romans 12:10Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.
• Philippians 2:3Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.
• 3 John 1:8So we ourselves should support them so that we can be their partners as they teach the truth.
• Matthew 10:40“Anyone who receives you receives me, and anyone who receives me receives the Father who sent me.
• Mark 9:37“Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes not only me but also my Father who sent me.”
• Luke 9:48Then he said to them, “Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me also welcomes my Father who sent me. Whoever is the least among you is the greatest.”

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