3 John 1:9 NIV

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

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

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 3 John 1:1-14

An apostolic pastoral to a Christian man. We have here another price, less fragment, giving us a glimpse into the actual Church life of the first century, and of the Christian deeds and difficulties of one of its honoured members. We have no other inspired letter to a private Church member. This serves a double purpose. It enables us to picture, in outline, Gains, with his Christian work, his character, and his trials. It enables us also to picture a Church as to its fellowship, its... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 3 John 1:1-14

The aged presbyter's letter to a private Church-member. "The eider unto Gaius the beloved, whom I love in truth." As in the Second Epistle, John takes the familiar official designation of "the elder." The receiver of the Epistle was regarded by John with more than ordinary affection; for he at once designates Gaius "the beloved," and three times in the course of the short Epistle be addresses him by this designation. He was widely beloved; for the addition here, while emphasizing the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 3 John 1:5-12

2. MAIN DIVISION . Exhortation. Having thus stated the circumstances which have led to his writing, the elder begins the main portion of the letter, which consists of three sections; the hospitality of Gaius, and its value ( 3 John 1:5-8 ); the arrogance of Diotrephes, and its results ( 3 John 1:9 , 3 John 1:10 ); the moral ( 3 John 1:11 , 3 John 1:12 ). The transition to this central portion of the Epistle is marked by a repetition of the loving address. In all three cases ( ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 3 John 1:9

I wrote somewhat to the Church . Just as the missionary brethren bore witness before the Church to the Christian love of Gains, so the elder will bear witness before the Church to the arrogant hostility of Diotrephes. Once more we see that words may be works. He who sanctions teachers of false doctrine shares in their "evil works" ( 2 John 1:11 ); and the "works" of Diotrephes partly consist in "prating against us with evil words." The same word for "evil" is used in both cases ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 3 John 1:9-10

Diotrephes: a beacon. "I wrote unto the Church: but Diotrephes," etc. I. THE CHARACTER OF DIOTREPHES BRIEFLY STATED . "Diotrephes, who loveth to have the pre-eminence among them." We do not know who or what this man was beyond what is stated in our text. Whether he was pastor, elder, deacon, or other office-bearer in the Church, we cannot tell. Whatever he was in other respects, we know that he was ambitious of the highest place and of the greatest power in the Church: he... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 3 John 1:9

I wrote unto the church - That is on the former occasion when they went forth. At that time, John naturally commended them to the kind attentions of the church, not doubting but that aid would be rendered them in prosecuting their benevolent work among the Gentiles. The Epistle which was written on that occasion is now lost, and its contents cannot now be ascertained. It was, probably, however, a letter of mere commendation, perhaps stating the object which these brethren had in view, and... read more

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

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

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

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

The Pulpit Commentary - 3 John 1:1-14

The Pulpit Commentary - 3 John 1:1-14

The Pulpit Commentary - 3 John 1:5-12

The Pulpit Commentary - 3 John 1:9

The Pulpit Commentary - 3 John 1:9-10

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 3 John 1:9

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