3 John 1:9-14

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 3 John 1:9-11

I. Here is a very different example and character, an officer, a minister in the church, less generous, catholic, and communicative than the private Christians. Ministers may sometimes be out-shone, out-done. In reference to this minister, we see, 1. His name?a Gentile name: Diotrephes, attended with an unchristian spirit. 2. His temper and spirit?full of pride and ambition: He loves to have the pre-eminence. This ferment sprang and wrought betimes. It is an ill unbeseeming character of... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 3 John 1:12-14

Here we have, I. The character of another person, one Demetrius, not much known otherwise. But here his name will live. A name in the gospel, a fame in the churches, is better than that of sons and daughters. His character was his commendation. His commendation was, 1. General: Demetrius has a good report of all men. Few are well spoken of by all; and sometimes it is ill to be so. But universal integrity and goodness are the way to (and sometimes obtain) universal applause. 2. Deserved and... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 3 John 1:9-14

1:9-15 I have already written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who is ambitious for the leadership, does not accept our authority. So, then, when I come, I will bring up the matter of his actions, for he talks nonsensically about us with wicked words; he refuses to receive the brothers and attempts to stop those who wish to do so and tries to eject them from the church. Beloved do not imitate the evil but the good. He who does good has the source of his life in God; he who... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 3 John 1:9

I wrote unto the church ,.... Where Gaius was a member: those who take Gaius to be the same with Paul's host, and whom he baptized at Corinth, think the church at Corinth is here meant; but it seems rather to be meant of some church in Asia nearer Ephesus; nor is it likely that John's first epistle should be here intended, which makes no mention of relieving the brethren, the ministers of the Gospel, that came from Judea: and that this epistle should not be preserved, need not seem strange;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 3 John 1:10

Wherefore, if I come ,.... Where both Gaius and Diotrephes lived, as he trusted he should shortly, 3 John 1:14 ; I will remember his deeds which he doth ; meaning, not only that he would tell him of them to his face, but make mention of them, and expose them to the whole church, and reprove him for them: and which are as follow, prating against us with malicious words ; it is a common thing for ministers of the Gospel to be prated against, not only by the men of the world, but by... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 3 John 1:11

Beloved, follow not that which is evil ,.... Follow not evil in general, it being hateful to God, contrary to his nature and will, and bad in itself, as well as pernicious in its consequences; and particularly follow not, or do not imitate the particular evil or evils in Diotrephes; as his pride, ambition, love of preeminence, and tyrannical government in the church, and especially his hard heartedness, cruelty, and inhospitality to the poor saints; and so the Arabic version reads, "do not... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 3 John 1:12

Demetrius hath good report of all men , This man was of a quite different cast from Diotrephes, and therefore the apostle makes mention of him to Gaius, to be followed by him, and not the other; he was either the same with Demas, which is a contraction of this name, or the person that John sent from Ephesus with this letter: we read of an Ephesian of this name, Acts 19:24 ; though not the same person; or else one that also was a member of the same church with Gaius and Diotrephes; and he... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 3 John 1:13

I have many things to write ,.... With regard to churches, and particular persons, and concerning hospitality to the poor brethren: but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee ; suggesting he should take another method of communicating his mind to him, which he next mentions. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 3 John 1:14

But I trust I shall shortly see thee ,.... Either at Ephesus, where John was, or rather at the place where Gaius lived, see 3 John 1:10 ; and we shall speak face to face ; freely and familiarly converse together about these things, which were not thought proper to be committed to writing: peace be to thee ; which was the usual form of salutation with the Jews, and John was one; See Gill on John 20:19 ; our friends salute thee ; or send their Christian salutation to thee,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 3 John 1:9

I wrote unto the Church - The Church where Caius was; but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the pre-eminence, φιλοπρωτευων , who loves the presidency, or chief place in the Church. He was doubtless an officer in the Church, at least a deacon, probably a bishop; and, being one, he magnified himself in his office; he loved such eminence, and behaved himself haughtily in it. Receiveth us not - Does not acknowledge the apostolical authority. As some MSS. supply αν after εγραψα , and... read more

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