"I wrote unto the Church; but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the pre-eminence among them, receiveth us not. Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church." (v.9-10)

This Diotrephes is one of the six men named in the New Testament as opponents of the true faith. They were all professing brethren, not men like Demas who openly forsook Paul and the faith "having loved this present world". These six, Hymeneus, Alexander, Hermogenes, Phygellus, Philetus and Diotrephes had adopted various courses of opposition to the Apostles and their work and had in consequence become menaces to the settled and orderly progress of the Church. It is not said of Diotrephes, as it is said of the others, that he was guilty of doctrinal lapses or that he was a teacher of error. But the Apostle's condemnation is none the less forthright and definite. This man, who evidently occupied the leading position in the Church, the "Bishop" or elder as we would say, was exercising the powers of his office in a thoroughly improper manner. He had even gone so far as to disown the Apostle himself and prevent the reading of his letters before the assembled Church. He was not interested in the wider preaching of the Gospel and sought to hinder the free communion between brethren from elsewhere who came thus preaching, and the members of his own Church. He was, in fact, busily engaged in forming an exclusive little religious club presided over by himself with all outsiders barred. We have all seen the same thing in our own time; the spirit of Diotrephes is still amongst us and the pity of it and the shame of it never grows less. All too often "my people love to have it so" and then there is not much that can be done about it. John held a certain Apostolic authority which he did not hesitate to invoke on this occasion. Although in his epistles he normally shows little inclination to appeal to his own Apostleship and prefers to appeal and exhort, allowing his gospel of love and light to penetrate the hearts of his "children" and do its work there in its own way, he can certainly be sharp at times and this was one such time. Diotrephes and his ways he would not tolerate, and one can well conclude that if John ever did carry out his expressed intention of visiting the church referred to in this letter, then Diotrephes received very short shrift at the hands of the father of all the churches.

"Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God. Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true." (v.11-12)

It is impossible to resist the conclusion that in these two verses John is addressing the Church through Gaius. It seems so unnecessary and even inappropriate in view of John's earlier words of commendation to Gaius to think that he is now counselling him to avoid evil and embrace good. He was doing that already. But taking these verses in conjunction with those immediately preceding in reference to Diotrephes one can detect a tone of reproof to the church for permitting this sorry state of affairs. If Diotrephes was an improper person to have the oversight of the little company, it was not because they had no one else. "Demetrius hath good report of all men." John could hardly go further than this in recommending Demetrius to the notice of the Church—surely here was the man who ought to be their elder. Well reported of by all who know him—a good report concerning the Truth—the endorsement of the Apostle himself. What more could they want? Perhaps the church did eventually take the hint and replace Diotrephes by Demetrius, to their own spiritual good and advancement. We do not know, but it is nice to think that perhaps they did.

"I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee: But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name." (v.13-14)

A very similar conclusion to that of the Second Epistle. Just the kind of conclusion we should expect. So much to say and discuss and the written word so unsatisfactory a medium by which to say it. So much better to defer it until they could meet and then spiritual communion would be free and unchecked. So the friends with John at Ephesus send greetings to their brethren with Gaius in the unnamed church, and in so doing express once more that spirit of understanding brotherly love which is the cohesive force holding together all who are Christ's. "The love of Christ constraineth us"—holds us together.

John's work is done. He has given of his best, spending himself in wise instruction, grave warning and loving exhortation. It is for us to take great heed of his words and apply them very seriously to our own hearts and lives. This man lived a long and crowded life in the service of his Lord and ours. He knew—none better—how the practice of the principles of Jesus' teaching, rightly combined with a proper perception of the doctrinal understanding of Scripture can make the Christian life full and complete, giving every happiness and satisfaction now, furthering the interests of the Gospel in this world, and in the afterlife beyond the veil, bring joy unspeakable and full of glory. "We know not what we shall be, but we know that when he shall appear, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself even as he is pure."

AOH