Diotrephes is a figure mentioned in the New Testament, specifically in the Third Epistle of John. His name, of Greek origin, means "nourished by Jupiter," which may suggest a Hellenistic background. Diotrephes is noted for his negative role within the early Christian community, serving as a cautionary example of pride and divisiveness.

Biblical Reference:

The primary reference to Diotrephes is found in 3 John 1:9-10 : "I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not accept our instruction. So if I come, I will call attention to what he is doing, spreading malicious nonsense about us. Not satisfied with that, he even refuses to welcome the brothers and stops those who want to do so and puts them out of the church."

Character and Actions:

Diotrephes is characterized by his desire for preeminence within the church. The Apostle John criticizes him for rejecting apostolic authority and for his inhospitable behavior towards other believers. His actions include spreading false accusations against the apostolic circle, refusing to welcome itinerant missionaries, and excommunicating those who disagreed with him or attempted to offer hospitality to these missionaries.

Theological Implications:

Diotrephes' behavior is often interpreted as a warning against the dangers of pride and authoritarianism within the church. His example serves as a reminder of the importance of humility, submission to apostolic teaching, and the practice of Christian hospitality. The early church valued unity and cooperation, and Diotrephes' actions are seen as antithetical to these principles.

Historical Context:

The context of 3 John suggests a time when the early church was still establishing its structures and authority. The epistle reflects the challenges faced by the apostolic leaders in maintaining doctrinal purity and communal harmony. Diotrephes' resistance to apostolic authority highlights the tensions that could arise as local church leaders gained influence.

Lessons for the Church:

Diotrephes' account is often used to illustrate the potential pitfalls of leadership within the church. It underscores the need for leaders to be accountable, to foster community rather than division, and to prioritize the teachings of the apostles as recorded in Scripture. His example serves as a warning against the temptation to prioritize personal ambition over the well-being of the church body.

In summary, Diotrephes is remembered as a negative example in the New Testament, illustrating the dangers of pride and the rejection of apostolic authority. His actions and the response of the Apostle John provide valuable insights into the early church's struggles and the enduring principles of Christian leadership and community.Diotrephes

nourished by Jupiter

Diotrephes

(nourished by Jove), a Christian mentioned in (3 John 1:9) but of whom nothing is known.

Diotrephes

An influential member, perhaps minister, of some early church, censured by John for his jealous ambition, and his violent rejection of the best Christians, 3 John 1:9,10.

Jove-nourished, rebuked by John for his pride (3 John 1:9). He was a Judaizer, prating against John and his fellow-labourers "with malicious words" (7). DIOTREPHES

di-ot'-re-fez (Diotrephes): A person mentioned in ; 3Joh 1:9, 10 as contentiously resisting the writer's authority and forbidding others from exercising the Christian hospitality which he himself refused to show.

The words "who loveth to have the preeminence, among them" may indicate that he was a church official, abusing his position, chief stars in the constellation of the Twins. Some 4,000 years B.C. they served as pointers to mark the beginning of the new year by setting together with the first new moon of springtime. The constellation of the Twins was supposed to be especially favorable to sailors, hence, ships were often placed under the protection of the twin gods.

1361. Diotrephes -- "cherished by Zeus," Diotrephes, an opponent ...
... 1360, 1361. Diotrephes. 1362 . "cherished by Zeus," Diotrephes, an opponent
of the apostle John. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1361.htm - 6k

1926. epidechomai -- to accept as true, to receive besides
... 9,10). This envisions all the "nasty spin-offs" that went with Diotrephes
to "aptly welcome" people into his local church. [1926 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1926.htm - 7k

The Second and Third General Epistles of John
... the itinerant preachers, though they were strangers to him, 5-8. He also informs
the brother that he has written to the church, but that Diotrephes resists his ...
/.../drummond/introduction to the new testament/the second and third general.htm

The Epistles of St. John
... than even his {264} usual powers of invention by suggesting that Gaius was a Montanist
of the latter part of the 2nd century, and "Diotrephes" a symbolical ...
/.../pullan/the books of the new testament/chapter xxiii the epistles of.htm

The Theory of the Church, and the History of Its Perversion.
... "I wrote unto the Church," says John, "but Diotrephes, who loveth to have
the pre-eminence among them, receiveth us not. Wherefore ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/killen/the ancient church/chapter xiii the theory of.htm

Drill and Enthusiasm
... in which the temptation to be such affects the official chiefly, and there are others,
with a different polity, in which it is chiefly a Diotrephes, who loves ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/drill and enthusiasm.htm

First, Second and Third John and Jude.
... Gaius had received them while Diotrephes had opposed their reception. ... 4. Commends
his hospitality, 5-8. 5. Complaint against Diotrephes, 9-10. ...
/.../chapter xxxviii first second and.htm

Entire Sanctification as Taught by John.
... He could still rebuke evil and denounce Diotrephes, and forbid the elect lady to
receive or countenance any who did not uphold the true, sound doctrines of the ...
/.../clark/the theology of holiness/chapter ix entire sanctification as.htm

Seventeenth Day. Humility.
... Let us be content to take the humblest place; not envious of the success or exaltation
of another; not, "like Diotrephes, loving preeminence;" "but willing to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macduff/the mind of jesus/seventeenth day humility.htm

Introductory Note to the First Epistle of Clement to the ...
... lix.). The entire absence of the spirit of Diotrephes (3 John , and the close
accordance of the Epistle, in humility and meekness, with that of St. ...
/.../introductory note to the first.htm

Introductory Note to Iren??us against Heresies
... only to receive the rebukes of Iren??us, but to accept them as wholesome and necessary;
so that the heresy of Eleutherus, and the spirit of Diotrephes in Victor ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/introductory note to irenaeus against.htm

After Prayer Jesus Selects Twelve Apostles.
... of the Holy Spirit. But even to the last this son of thunder muttered in
portentous strains against Diotrephes (III. John 9, 10), and ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xli after prayer jesus selects.htm

Diotrephes (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. DIOTREPHES. di-ot'-re-fez ... twin gods.
Multi-Version Concordance Diotrephes (1 Occurrence). 3 John ...
/d/diotrephes.htm - 7k

Diot'rephes (1 Occurrence)
Diot'rephes. Diotrephes, Diot'rephes. Dip . Multi-Version Concordance
Diot'rephes (1 Occurrence). ... Diotrephes, Diot'rephes. Dip . Reference Bible.
/d/diot'rephes.htm - 6k

Preeminence (5 Occurrences)
... Colossians 1:18); (3) ho philoproteuon, is translated "who loveth to have the
preeminence," literally "who loveth to be first" (of Diotrephes, 3 John 1:9). ...
/p/preeminence.htm - 8k

Likes (3 Occurrences)
... Likes (3 Occurrences). 3 John 1:9 I wrote to the assembly, but Diotrephes, who loves
to be first among them, doesn't accept what we say. (See RSV). ...
/l/likes.htm - 7k

Refuses (21 Occurrences)
... WEY). 3 John 1:9 I wrote to the Church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have
the first place among them, refuses to listen to us. (WEY). ...
/r/refuses.htm - 12k

Dioscuri (1 Occurrence)

/d/dioscuri.htm - 7k

Pre-eminence (6 Occurrences)
... (WBS). 3 John 1:9 I wrote to the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to
have the pre-eminence among them, receiveth us not. (WBS). ...
/p/pre-eminence.htm - 8k

Receiveth (48 Occurrences)
... (WBS). 3 John 1:9 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have
the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. (KJV ASV WBS). ...
/r/receiveth.htm - 20k

Somewhat (30 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV WBS). 3 John 1:9 I wrote somewhat unto the church: but Diotrephes, who
loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. (ASV). ...
/s/somewhat.htm - 16k

Loveth (88 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV WBS). 3 John 1:9 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to
have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. (KJV ASV WBS). ...
/l/loveth.htm - 30k

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