What is the meaning of 3 John 1:10? So if I come John is not issuing an idle threat; he is prepared to visit personally and deal with the problem (compare 2 John 12; 1 Corinthians 4:19-21). His willingness to travel underscores: • Shepherds are responsible to protect the flock on site, not merely by letter (Philippians 1:27). • Accountability is healthy; godly leaders do not hide behind distance. I will call attention to his malicious slander against us Diotrephes has been spreading lies, and John intends to expose them openly (Ephesians 5:11; Proverbs 10:18). Loving truth means: • Naming sin when it harms the body (Acts 20:29-31). • Confronting false accusations so the church can discern rightly (1 Timothy 5:19-20). Malicious speech is never a minor issue; it tears down what Christ builds (Ephesians 4:31). And unsatisfied with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers Hospitality to traveling believers was essential for the spread of the gospel (3 John 5-8; Romans 12:13; Hebrews 13:2). Diotrephes not only neglects this duty; he opposes it. A heart closed to fellow Christians is a heart closed to Christ Himself (Matthew 25:40). And forbids those who want to do so It is one thing to sin personally; it is worse to pressure others into the same sin (Matthew 18:6; Luke 11:52). Diotrephes uses his influence to: • Intimidate willing hosts. • Suppress obedience that would bless the wider church. This mirrors the Pharisees who “shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces” (Matthew 23:13). Even putting them out of the church Excommunication is meant to protect purity and encourage repentance (1 Corinthians 5:12-13), yet Diotrephes twists discipline into a weapon against the righteous (John 9:34; 16:2). His abuse shows: • Power without humility becomes tyranny. • A distorted view of authority expels the very people the Lord commends. summary 3 John 1:10 portrays a leader who slanders apostles, withholds hospitality, bullies supporters, and misuses discipline. John promises to confront this publicly, reminding us that biblical authority serves others, protects truth, and welcomes faithful workers. Real love resists slander, practices generous hospitality, defends obedient believers, and submits every action to Christ, the true Head of the church. |
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