I wrote unto the church:
but Diotrephes,
who loveth to have the preeminence among them,
receiveth us not.
Diotrephes is the man in the third letter of John who loved to have the preeminence. He would not receive the apostle. He prated against him with malicious words. He would not receive the brethren, and he forbade those who would, and cast them out of the church. John says he will remember his deeds. Diotrephes is the warning. The love of the first place splits the house. The church is not a seat for a man who must be first.
- He loved the preeminence.
- He would not receive the apostle or the brethren.
- John will remember his deeds.
Who loveth to have the preeminence.
Receiveth us not.
John will remember.
- Diotrephes is named in 3 John.
- He loved to have the preeminence.
- He refused the apostle and the brethren.
- He cast out those who received them.
- John says he will remember the deeds.
- The love of the first place splits the house.
- The Man – In 3 John.
- The Love – The preeminence.
- The Refusal – Receiveth us not.
- The Words – Malicious.
- The Cast – Out of the church.
- The Warning – John will remember.
- 3 John 1:9-10 – “I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence 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.”
- 3 John 1:11 – “Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God.”
- Matthew 23:6-8 – “And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues… But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.”
- Matthew 20:26-27 – “Whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; and whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant.”
- 3 John 1:9 – “I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.”
- Philippians 2:3 – “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.”
- 1 Peter 5:3 – “Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.”
- Matthew 23:12 – “And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.”
- 3 John 1:5-6 – “Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers.”
- Galatians 5:26 – “Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.”
Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.
If I come, I will remember his deeds.
Whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant.
Diotrephes loved the first place. He refused the apostle and the brethren. The love of the first place splits the house.
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