You have probably never heard a sermon about the spirit of diotrophes like the many you have probably heard about the spirit of jezebel but john speaks plainly about it. This summary of the book of 3 john provides information about the title, author s, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of 3 john. In light of diotrephes not receiving john or his emissaries john will recount in a trial. Pdf historical context of 3rd letter of john researchgate. Johns words seem designed to encourage gaius until john can see him personally, which he hopes will not be too far in the future verse 14. In johns third epistle, he warned about a man named diotrephes. The apostle john condemned the unacceptable behavior of a man named diotrophes, who exemplified the idea that a bad attitude plus a bad ego, left unchecked, equals chaos. The babylonians learn about ancient babylon and the people who. Diotrephes used a wonderful and almost unassailable twopronged attack.
In addition to being ambitious, proud, disrespectful of apostolic authority, rebellious, and inhospitable, diotrephes tried to hinder those desiring to show hospitality to the brothers and to expel these from the congregation. Diotrephes was a man of strong personality who persuaded a majority of the church to support him. Diotrephes is mentioned in one passage of the bible, in the short letter of 3 john. The book discusses the development of the byzantine text type and argues that basils text of matthew represents its earliest known witness. The third epistle of john, often referred to as third john and written 3 john or iii john, is the thirdtolast book of the new testament and the christian bible.
Who loveth to have the preeminence among them to govern all things according to his own will. Since we are over 2000 years closer to the climax of the purpose of god, it is very important that we take. The tradition from the earliest days of the church has been that the apostle john is the author. Third john gives us an intimate glimpse into the life of the early church. The words who loveth to have the preeminence, among them may indicate that he was a church official. The book of 3 john does not directly name its author. Mar 08, 2014 the letter from john states that diotrephes loves to be first among them, or, to put it in the language of today, feels that he is the headhoncho in charge and everything that the church does must gain his approval. The apostle john, towards the end of his life date. Therefore, if i come, i will call to mind his deeds which he does, prating against us with malicious. When it is found in the lives of christians, things can get ugly rather quickly. Diotrephes is a genus of flies in the family tachinidae.
The letter from john states that diotrephes loves to be first among them, or, to put it in the language of today, feels that he is the headhoncho in charge and everything that the church does must gain his approval. Diotrephes could be a longtime member or at least represent the churchs history or heritage, making some christians unwilling to stand up against him even when it would be necessary. Bible roman empire map large map of the roman empire in the early first century click around on the places. Apr 11, 2018 diotrephes could be a longtime member or at least represent the churchs history or heritage, making some christians unwilling to stand up against him even when it would be necessary. It certainly is apparent enough that there are those who disregard these things sadly. The third letter of john was written to a christian man about how to take care of the true teachers who were traveling. Examples are anglican, assemblies of god, brethren, way. It allows one man to deemphasize the five equipping gifts to the church so that no one challenges his preeminence in the church.
John 3, third letter, gaius, diotrephes, demetrius. The material is ed and should not be repainted under any other name or author. Meaning of the name alexander, alexander the great, alexander the coppersmith, syria and bible prophecy, bible study about syria, what the bible says about syria and damascus, isaiah 17, the bible and palm trees, bible study about the palm tree, the righteous will flourish like a palm tree psalm 92. There have been occasional doubts raised by those who thought it possible that this was written by another disciple of the lord named john, but all the evidence points to the author as john the beloved disciple who also wrote the. A man mentioned by the apostle john in his letter to gaius. Dave roberson ministries the family prayer center p. Brown comments, diotrephes is not a particularly common name. Mar 03, 2016 the above article the diotrephes syndrome is written by e. Those who operate under this spirit were at one time godly yet through the lust for power and control, have turned from christ and are now the enemies of gods people. A person who is very insecured and easily threatened. The spirit of diotrephes an excerpt from diotrephes.
Diotrephes definition and meaning bible dictionary. Whether youre a follower or a leader particularly a christian leader, this is a book you would love to read. The diotrephes syndromea strategy for using church. Then there is the carnal, caustic church leader, diotrephes, who. By contrast, diotrephes serves as an exam ple that ought not to be imitated. Jovenourished, rebuked by john for his pride 3 john 1. First, there is the consistent gaius, to whom john wishes material prosperity, physical health, and spiritual prosperity. Throughout history and in churches today, men much like the three mentioned in this.
Sermons from third john the spirit of diotrephes 910. References this article related to members of the fly subfamily exoristinae is a stub. The heresy of diotrephes lives today i believe the answer is diotrephes. The two principal alternative accounts of him are, in the words of professor dodd, i that diotrephes is in fact the first monarchical bishop known to history in the province of asia. The diotrephes style of authority the scriptures give us a clear example of the type of leadership that is being presented to us in the modern church. The diotrephes syndrome is much more destructive than that. Diotrephes faussets bible dictionary bible dictionary.
Diotrephes the 1st century tyrant 3 john 912 by milton. Orr it has sometimes been surmised that the letter which the elder wrote unto the church, according to 3 john 9, was the second epistle of john. However, this material may freely be used for personal study or purposes. In the sixth chapter of acts, a pressing need arose and dedicated men were assigned to the problem. The third epistle of john is a private letter composed to a man named gaius. John relates that diotrephes was guilty of prating against us with malicious words 2. This article was excerpted from holleys book the best of e. Throughout history and in churches today, men much like the three mentioned in this epistle may be found. The book of 3 john reveals another trouble maker in the church by the name diotrephes. For his doing so, he may have been unjustly mistreated by a prominent leader of his congregation named diotrephes see 3 john 9, 10. They accuse bright, talented women of getting ahead by means other than their skills, talents, and qualifications. Diotrephes was a man mentioned in the third epistle of john verses 911. Paperback edition is available from the society of biblical literature. The spirit of diotrephes introduction one of the marks of the close of this age is the tremendous increase in deception.
Jerusalem, is the first political act in the history of christianity and the startingpoint from which. The epistle of 3 john is a letter where john commends a christian man named gaius who showed warm hearted hospitality to certain missionary helpers of johns. As we see in our text, the spirit of diotrephes can manifest itself in christians by. It allows a man to put people out of the church who disagree with him so he has a platform for his ministry. The very nature of the work of the church creates posts of prominence and demands the care and concern of responsible men to fill them. Robertson renowned greek scholar 18631934 i wrote to the church, but diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us. It is not known what his spiritual responsibilities were. The history, doctrinal position, and present status of major denominations and movements are included. The third epistle of john the spirit of diotrephes 910 introduction 1. The third letter of john is the shortest and the most personal book in the new. The disease of diotrephes sermon by curtis kittrell, 3. It wasnt even enough to use malicious words against him. The disease of diotrephes sermon by curtis kittrell, 3 john 1.
Diotrephes was a first century church leader and, somehow, had achieved the confidence and control of some of his unsuspecting brethren and, perhaps, some spineless followers that felt more secure in the company of this domineering tyrant than to prove all things for themselves and walk alone with god if necessary. John wrote to the church, but diotrephes does not receive the apostles or their emissaries, because he seeks preeminence among the elders 3 john 9 the letter to which john refers is not part of the new testament. Overcoming the spirit of diotrephes has masterfully contrasted the charactertraits of diotrephes with those of his godly associates gaius and demetrius and that of the elder, indwelt by the spirit of truth. He uses diotrephes as an example of how not to live as a christian verses 911. A history of christianity by paul johnson antilogicalism. The diotrephes syndrome apostolic information service. They cast aspersions on newcomers perceived as threatening. Although john addressed this letter to gaius 3 john 1. Apr 01, 2016 the very nature of the work of the church creates posts of prominence and demands the care and concern of responsible men to fill them.
This was learned early in the history of the church. It is the third in a series of 3 epistles that bear the apostle johns name. This audio sermon and transcript is entitled diotrephes the man who. For more information about the location of the church of which gaius was a member, see the overview on the books of 1 and 2 john, the sections entitled recipients. The formatting has been changed to accomodate ease of printing for home computers. The apostle paul even named the troubling brethren by name when addressing timothy see 2 timothy 2. Click here for more information and to download a sample of the book. First he attacked the character of the apostles, not their doctrines or theology, but their character, unjustly accusing us with wicked words.
When you subscribe, youll also receive 3 free pdfs. Whenever he was speaking of the end of the age, jesus repeatedly told the disciples for them to not be deceived. Diotrephes in 3 john was most likely put into his pastoral position by the apostles and yet we see that he now refuses to have anything to do with them at all. He was a judaizer, prating against john and his fellowlabourers with malicious words 7. Of course, the status quo is not wrong when we are standing firm and holding to the traditions taught by the apostles 2 thessalonians 2. Lets read on in verse 10 of 3 john, and not content therewith, neither doth he himself. In brief, diotrephes was a selfseeking troublemaker in an unnamed local church in the first century. The above article the diotrephes syndrome is written by e. The history of rome brief overview of roman history from her dawn to the first punic war. In addition to being ambitious, proud, disrespectful of apostolic authority, rebellious, and inhospitable, the author of the letter says that diotrephes tried to hinder those desiring to show.
Entry for diotrephes faussets bible dictionary one of 28 bible dictionaries freely available, this book, with a clear and concise writing style, stands as one of the best dictionaries ever written. Other gaius in the new testament are from corinth romans 16. There have been occasional doubts raised by those who thought it possible that this was written by another disciple of the lord named john, but all the evidence points to the author being. For it should be noted that diotrephes was able to sidestep his real problem. We know very little about diotrephes other than what we read in 3 john 911. Pdf this paper discusses the authorship, location and audience of the third letter of john. Diotrephes was a leader most likely a pastor in the early church whom the apostle john named openly in john as being a leader who controlled those who were in his church. Oh, noit wasnt enough to refuse to receive john as a brother personally. Alistair begg explains that the problem is not necessarily one of belief, but of behaviora lifestyle that reflects an absence of relationship with christ and his commands.
The tabernacle of ancient israel brief overview of the tabernacle of moses in the wilderness and the ark of the covenant. The contents of this book, the walk of the spirit the walk of power are the same as the published version. Jul 09, 2016 diotrephes is mentioned by john in 3 john 911. These same missionaries had been treated badly by an officer of the local church named diotrephes. The sad truth is that youll find the spirit of diotrephes alive and well in both secular and sacred organizations. In the first verses of both 2 john and 3 john the author identifies himself as the elder. Unfortunately for all of us, there are still many diotrephes in the church today. In our study of third john, we have noticed the commendable spirit found in gaius. Johns third letter, to gaius christian classics ethereal.
The epistle provides only the barest of hints about who diotrephes was and what he was doing. Gaius mentioned this monument and also one to st paul on the ostia road, the. Evidently, he is in a position of power in the church, and john is not pleased with him. Diotrephes goes down in history as one whose priorities were confused and consequentially a nuisance in the lords church. Diotrephes a church leader, and ambitious aspirant to leadership, who is rebuked by the elder, the author of 3 john verses 911, for disputing the writers authority and snubbing his representatives. Chapter 14 is all about how to inflate the pride of the christian man wormwood has been assigned to. Diotrephes in the bible encyclopedia isbe bible history. It was transcribed from the twenty second recording in his 1, 2 and 3 john series, entitled diotrephes the man who hindered gods work transcribed by preach the word. It is a delightful accompaniment to the second letter, which was written to a christian lady about how to handle the false teachers who were abroad in that day.
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