How does 3 John 1:9 warn against seeking personal glory within the church? Setting the scene • 3 John is a personal letter from the apostle John to his beloved friend Gaius. • In verse 9 John mentions a troubling situation: “I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not accept us.” (3 John 1:9) • The Holy Spirit preserved this snapshot so every generation could discern the danger of self-promotion inside Christ’s body. Diotrephes: a cautionary example • “Loves to be first” exposes Diotrephes’ heart—he craved preeminence, not service. • His refusal to “accept us” shows a resistance to apostolic authority, meaning he placed his own status above Scripture-sanctioned leadership. • Verse 10 (just beyond our focus) reveals he also: ‑ Spread malicious gossip. ‑ Withheld hospitality from traveling brothers. ‑ Expelled those who disagreed with him. All flow from the same root: a passion for personal glory. Why personal glory is spiritually toxic • It steals honor from Christ, the only Head of the church (Colossians 1:18). • It breeds division—where self is exalted, unity collapses (1 Corinthians 3:3). • It blinds a person to correction; Diotrephes “will not accept us,” shutting out truth. Scripture’s consistent call to humility • Mark 10:42-44—Jesus: leaders must be “servant of all,” not lords. • Philippians 2:3—“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride.” • 1 Peter 5:5-6—“Clothe yourselves with humility… God opposes the proud.” • Proverbs 16:18—“Pride goes before destruction.” • Luke 14:11—“Whoever exalts himself will be humbled.” • John 12:43—religious leaders “loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.” Together these verses echo 3 John 1:9: the self-exalting spirit is antithetical to gospel life. Christ’s model: downward greatness • John 13:5—Jesus washes feet, assigning honor to service. • Philippians 2:5-8—He “emptied Himself” and took the form of a bond-servant. • Because Christ stooped, the Father “highly exalted Him” (Philippians 2:9). True glory follows humility, not the other way around. Practical safeguards against Diotrephes’ mindset • Examine motives: Am I seeking visibility or faithfulness? (2 Corinthians 13:5) • Welcome accountability: invite godly leaders to speak into your life. • Celebrate others’ gifts: replace competition with gratitude (Romans 12:10). • Serve in hidden ways: anonymity trains the heart to please God alone (Matthew 6:4). • Stay word-saturated: Scripture recalibrates ambition toward God’s glory. Living the warning Diotrephes shows how a longing to be first corrodes fellowship and dishonors Christ. By embracing humility, honoring biblical authority, and following Jesus’ servant example, believers guard the church from the snare of personal glory and keep the spotlight where it belongs—on the Lord Himself. |
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