show financial power? Was he a spiritual elder? How tragic that the only thing the Spirit of God re cords is that he was a little man who wanted to be big. It is pos sible that John desired to visit the church but was prevented by this man. John showed that it was im proper to presume lordship over God's heritage. Paul spoke to the elders at Ephesus (Acts 20:17) tell ing them to be overseers, feeding or pastoring the flock. No man has the right to be the lord over the church but Jesus Christ Himself. Yes, there is much to learn from the life of Diotrephes. DIOTREPHES One of the signs of the nearness of Christ's return is the fact that pride, arrogance, boasting and con ceit are seen in such a pronounced manner throughout the lives of many (II Timothy 3:1-5). In the Epistle of Third John we read of Diotrephes who loved the preem inence. Evidentally he controlled the local church with an iron hand. Everything had to be cleared by his permission. John made it clear that this man was not one who loved the truth (vs. 9). He would not re ceive the Apostle nor accept what he had to say. The basic problem in such a life is one of carnality and sin. Power has an unfortunate tendency to corrupt (I Timothy 3:6). Diotrephes was unqualified for the office because of spiritual pride. One who glories in power and authority is not fit to exercise it. It is sad to see how that, some times subject to their wives at home, men seek to compensate for their sense of inadequacy by trying to control an organization. This is sometimes true in churches which should never be.
John did not mince words as he vigorously denounced this proud dictator (vs. 10). Although now much more advanced in years the Apostle had not lost the thunder of his earlier days. While John preached love, yet he also prac ticed separation from apostasy and error (II John 7). Diotrephes is ac cused of slander. He has spoken against God's anointed with "ma licious" or evil words. His wicked pronouncements had their origin with the father of all lies, the devil himself. Diotrephes not only lacked hospitality and respect for the mis sionaries who visited that early church, but also he forbade any one else from receiving them. He wanted his word to be law. Evi dently he had a group of fearful followers who meekly agreed with him rather than to arouse his fury. What a sad plight to be in whether in the home, a business, or in God's house. A very practical exhortation fol lows, "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" (vs. 11). Diotrephes was used as an illustration of how tragic conditions can become when God's pattern is not followed. There was a shepherd in Scot land who was asked if his sheep would ever follow the voice of a stranger. He replied in the affirma tive stating, "They will only do it when they are sick; never when they are well!" This is true also as far as people are concerned. Only those who are spiritually ill will adhere to a leader who seeks to dominate them. His followers will be those who are unstable, dis gruntled backsliding individuals al ways looking for some personal Page 47
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