Diotrephes
Diotrephes was a church leader rebuked in the apostle John's third epistle for loving to have the preeminence. He refused to welcome the traveling brothers, spoke against John with malicious words, and even expelled from the church those who wished to receive them. He stands in Scripture as a warning against domineering pride in Christian leadership, contrasted with the good example of Demetrius.
Biography
- Occupation
- Church leader
- Era
- New Testament
- Nationality
- Greek
Did You Know?
Diotrephes is singled out by the apostle John as one 'who loveth to have the preeminence' (3 John 9) - a rare, named case of domineering ambition inside the early church.
He not only refused to welcome traveling missionaries but expelled those who wanted to, showing how quickly a local leader could weaponize church hospitality.
John promises that if he comes he 'will remember his deeds' (3 John 10), a striking instance of an apostle preparing to confront a church boss face to face.
Key Chapters
Key Passages
Diotrephes Loves Preeminence
3 John 1:9-11
John warns of Diotrephes, who loves to be first, rejects the apostle's authority, and casts out the hospitable.
9 wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.