How does 3 John 1:10 connect with Matthew 18:15-17 on church discipline? Text of 3 John 1:10 “Therefore, if I come, I will call attention to what he is doing, slandering us with malicious words. And not content with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers, and he stops those who want to do so and puts them out of the church.” Snapshot of Matthew 18:15-17 • v. 15 “If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately; if he listens to you, you have won your brother.” • v. 16 “But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’” • v. 17 “If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, regard him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.” Shared Principles of Church Discipline • Sin must be addressed, never ignored. • Correction moves from private to increasingly public steps. • The goal is always repentance, restoration, and protection of the flock. • Leadership bears responsibility to act when earlier steps fail. How John’s Approach Mirrors Matthew’s Pattern • John has already written privately (v. 9 hints he sent a letter Diotrephes ignored). • Others have tried to welcome the traveling brothers; Diotrephes rejected them—parallel to “take one or two others.” • Because Diotrephes still refuses, John plans the final public step: “I will call attention to what he is doing” before the congregation—exactly Matthew’s “tell it to the church.” • If unrepentant, Diotrephes will be exposed and removed, consistent with Matthew’s counsel to treat the person as an outsider. Why Public Exposure Became Necessary • Persistent slander: “slandering us with malicious words.” • Active hindrance: “he refuses to welcome the brothers.” • Abuse of authority: “he … puts them out of the church.” • Such sins threaten unity and truth; silence would endorse them (cf. 1 Timothy 5:20). The Goal: Restoration and Protection • John’s purpose isn’t personal revenge but loving correction (cf. Galatians 6:1). • If Diotrephes repents, fellowship is restored; if not, the church is safeguarded (cf. 1 Corinthians 5:6-7). Additional Biblical Reinforcements • Titus 3:10 “Reject a divisive man after a first and second admonition.” • 2 Thessalonians 3:14-15 “…take note of him, and have nothing to do with him, so that he will be ashamed. Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.” • Proverbs 27:5-6 “Better an open rebuke than hidden love.” 3 John 1:10 and Matthew 18:15-17 reveal a seamless, Spirit-inspired process: private appeal, corroborated witness, and—when obstinacy continues—public correction that guards Christ’s body and aims for heartfelt repentance. |
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