Knowing The Word in 3 John 9-10

9 I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority. 10 So if I come, I will bring up what he is doing, talking wicked nonsense against us. And not content with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers, and also stops those who want to and puts them out of the church.

Q: Who is Diotrephes and what is his issue?

A: Diotrephes appears to be an influential person and perhaps the leader in a local church known to Gaius but different from Gaius’ church. That he loves to be first suggests an arrogant person, who demonstrates this by ignoring the Elder’s authority. It is likely that the Elder wrote to him to receive the missionaries, but he refused to and then disciplined members of his church who wanted to welcome them.

Q: Why are there conflicts in and between churches?

A: Because they are filled with sinners who like to get their ways, and when they do not will spread “wicked nonsense” about others. As we mature in our faith, we should find we are in fewer and fewer petty conflicts with others of our own making and that we do not spread gossip, speaking poorly of others. That does not mean, however, that conflicts over the truth will disappear.

Prayer: O God, who of thy great love to man didst reconcile earth to heaven through thine only-begotten Son: grant that we who by the darkness of our sins, are turned aside from brotherly love, may be filled with his Spirit shed abroad within us, and embrace our friends in thee and our enemies for thy sake; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Mozarabic Liturgy, 7th century