Christian Treasury 3 John 1:9-11 I wrote to the church: but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, receives us not.… I. I will show you WHO IS NOT DIOTREPHES. 1. He whose godly walk and conversation secures for him the entire confidence of the brethren, and thus gives him a great influence. 2. He whose talents and education necessarily make him a man of influence. 3. Nor he, whose well-known and oft-proved wisdom and prudence make him much sought unto in counsel. 4. These men generally do not seek influence. It is unavoidable. It follows them as their shadow. II. I proceed to show WHO DIOTREPHES IS. 1. Sometimes he is a man who never had his will broken. As a Church member, he expects the household of Christ to give way to him. He is wilful and headstrong, often as unreasonable as a mere animal. 2. Sometimes he is a man of wealth. His riches give him authority in the world; and he takes it for granted they ought to do so in the Church. 3. Sometimes he is a man of some learning and much volubility, who fancies that his capacity ought to give his opinion authority. III. I proceed to set forth DIOTREPHES IN ACTION. If the minister does not take him for counsellor he is his enemy. With every movement does he find fault unless he originated it. IV. In the next place, I remark upon DIOTREPHES' CHARACTER. 1. He is very unlike Christ, who was meek and lowly. 2. He is very disobedient to the word, "Let each esteem other better than himself." 3. He is against that equality which Christ has established in His Church.Practical observations: 1. Diotrephes is most of the time in trouble. Always looking for deference, he is always liable to think it wanting. 2. The Church can take no surer road to trouble than to give way to Diotrephes. 3. Diotrephes will scarce be the friend of the minister. The natural influence of the religious teacher disturbs him. 4. It is best to look for Diotrephes in his own pew. Perhaps we may find him in our own seat. 5. Diotrephes is sometimes married, and his partner may be a true yoke-fellow. (Christian Treasury.) Parallel Verses KJV: I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. |
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