Diotrephes used a wonderful and almost unassailable twopronged attack. It wasnt even enough to use malicious words against him. Whether youre a follower or a leader particularly a christian leader, this is a book you would love to read. 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. References this article related to members of the fly subfamily exoristinae is a stub. The words who loveth to have the preeminence, among them may indicate that he was a church official. They cast aspersions on newcomers perceived as threatening. Diotrephes is a genus of flies in the family tachinidae. It is not known what his spiritual responsibilities were. 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. 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. Diotrephes in the bible encyclopedia isbe bible history. When you subscribe, youll also receive 3 free pdfs. A man mentioned by the apostle john in his letter to gaius. In brief, diotrephes was a selfseeking troublemaker in an unnamed local church in the first century. 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. The contents of this book, the walk of the spirit the walk of power are the same as the published version. 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. Diotrephes faussets bible dictionary bible dictionary. The third epistle of john is a private letter composed to a man named gaius. 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.
The sad truth is that youll find the spirit of diotrephes alive and well in both secular and sacred organizations. Diotrephes was a man mentioned in the third epistle of john verses 911. 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. Therefore, if i come, i will call to mind his deeds which he does, prating against us with malicious. Then there is the carnal, caustic church leader, diotrephes, who. In our study of third john, we have noticed the commendable spirit found in gaius. 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. The spirit of diotrephes an excerpt from diotrephes.
Oh, noit wasnt enough to refuse to receive john as a brother personally. The history of rome brief overview of roman history from her dawn to the first punic war. The tabernacle of ancient israel brief overview of the tabernacle of moses in the wilderness and the ark of the covenant. 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. Third john gives us an intimate glimpse into the life of the early church. We know very little about diotrephes other than what we read in 3 john 911. The book discusses the development of the byzantine text type and argues that basils text of matthew represents its earliest known witness. 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. Gaius mentioned this monument and also one to st paul on the ostia road, the. 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.
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. Paperback edition is available from the society of biblical literature. This was learned early in the history of the 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. For his doing so, he may have been unjustly mistreated by a prominent leader of his congregation named diotrephes see 3 john 9, 10. The above article the diotrephes syndrome is written by e. The third letter of john is the shortest and the most personal book in the new. As we see in our text, the spirit of diotrephes can manifest itself in christians by. 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. 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. Since we are over 2000 years closer to the climax of the purpose of god, it is very important that we take.
The formatting has been changed to accomodate ease of printing for home computers. The book of 3 john reveals another trouble maker in the church by the name diotrephes. This sermon was delivered at the iron hall assembly in belfast, northern ireland, by pastor david legge. 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. Chapter 14 is all about how to inflate the pride of the christian man wormwood has been assigned to. First he attacked the character of the apostles, not their doctrines or theology, but their character, unjustly accusing us with wicked words.
Other gaius in the new testament are from corinth romans 16. 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. Diotrephes goes down in history as one whose priorities were confused and consequentially a nuisance in the lords church. 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. The spirit of diotrephes introduction one of the marks of the close of this age is the tremendous increase in deception. 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. The epistle provides only the barest of hints about who diotrephes was and what he was doing.
Brown comments, diotrephes is not a particularly common name. The third epistle of john the spirit of diotrephes 910 introduction 1. Evidently, he is in a position of power in the church, and john is not pleased with him. A history of christianity by paul johnson antilogicalism. Lets read on in verse 10 of 3 john, and not content therewith, neither doth he himself. Although john addressed this letter to gaius 3 john 1. The apostle paul even named the troubling brethren by name when addressing timothy see 2 timothy 2. The heresy of diotrephes lives today i believe the answer is diotrephes. Pdf this paper discusses the authorship, location and audience of the third letter of john. The apostle john, towards the end of his life date. The diotrephes syndromea strategy for using church. Diotrephes the 1st century tyrant 3 john 912 by milton. 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. John 3, third letter, gaius, diotrephes, demetrius.
Examples are anglican, assemblies of god, brethren, way. The disease of diotrephes sermon by curtis kittrell, 3 john 1. For it should be noted that diotrephes was able to sidestep his real problem. First, there is the consistent gaius, to whom john wishes material prosperity, physical health, and spiritual prosperity. A person who is very insecured and easily threatened. Diotrephes definition and meaning bible dictionary. Robertson renowned greek scholar 18631934 i wrote to the church, but diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us. In the sixth chapter of acts, a pressing need arose and dedicated men were assigned to the problem.
Who loveth to have the preeminence among them to govern all things according to his own will. Johns third letter, to gaius christian classics ethereal. Jul 09, 2016 diotrephes is mentioned by john in 3 john 911. 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. John relates that diotrephes was guilty of prating against us with malicious words 2. The history, doctrinal position, and present status of major denominations and movements are included. The diotrephes syndrome is much more destructive than that. 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. When it is found in the lives of christians, things can get ugly rather quickly. Throughout history and in churches today, men much like the three mentioned in this. The material is ed and should not be repainted under any other name or author. Dave roberson ministries the family prayer center p.
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. 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. 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. 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. Sermons from third john the spirit of diotrephes 910. Throughout history and in churches today, men much like the three mentioned in this epistle may be found. They accuse bright, talented women of getting ahead by means other than their skills, talents, and qualifications. It allows a man to put people out of the church who disagree with him so he has a platform for his ministry. The diotrephes syndrome apostolic information service. 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. Diotrephes was a man of strong personality who persuaded a majority of the church to support him. In johns third epistle, he warned about a man named diotrephes. In the first verses of both 2 john and 3 john the author identifies himself as the elder.
Whenever he was speaking of the end of the age, jesus repeatedly told the disciples for them to not be deceived. By contrast, diotrephes serves as an exam ple that ought not to be imitated. This audio sermon and transcript is entitled diotrephes the man who. Click here for more information and to download a sample of the book.
The book of 3 john does not directly name its author. 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. 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. Jerusalem, is the first political act in the history of christianity and the startingpoint from which. Diotrephes is mentioned in one passage of the bible, in the short letter of 3 john. The babylonians learn about ancient babylon and the people who. In light of diotrephes not receiving john or his emissaries john will recount in a trial. He was a judaizer, prating against john and his fellowlabourers with malicious words 7. Pdf historical context of 3rd letter of john researchgate. It is the third in a series of 3 epistles that bear the apostle johns name. Bible roman empire map large map of the roman empire in the early first century click around on the places. Unfortunately for all of us, there are still many diotrephes in the church today.
The third letter of john was written to a christian man about how to take care of the true teachers who were traveling. 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. It allows one man to deemphasize the five equipping gifts to the church so that no one challenges his preeminence in the church. The disease of diotrephes sermon by curtis kittrell, 3. 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. Mar 03, 2016 the above article the diotrephes syndrome is written by e.
Jovenourished, rebuked by john for his pride 3 john 1. He uses diotrephes as an example of how not to live as a christian verses 911. 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. The tradition from the earliest days of the church has been that the apostle john is the author. However, this material may freely be used for personal study or purposes.
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