Diotrephes Διοτρεφής
Church leader who opposed John
Who is Diotrephes in the Bible?
Diotrephes was a church leader mentioned in 3 John 1:9-10 who opposed the apostle John and refused to welcome him and his companions. John characterizes him as someone who "loves to be first," suggesting a controlling and domineering personality within the church community. Not only did Diotrephes reject John's messengers, but he also spoke maliciously against them and expelled church members who showed them hospitality, actively hindering the spread of the gospel. His behavior stands in stark contrast to Gaius, the letter's recipient, whom John commended for his faithful Christian hospitality. Diotrephes serves as a cautionary example of how pride and the desire for personal authority can corrupt church leadership and obstruct the mission of faith communities.
Biography
Diotrephes is mentioned in 3Jn.1.9-10 as a church leader who opposed the apostle John and his associates. John describes Diotrephes as someone "who loves to be first" among the church members, suggesting that he had a dominant and controlling personality.
According to John, Diotrephes refused to welcome him and his companions and even went so far as to speak maliciously against them. Moreover, Diotrephes would not receive other believers who were associated with John and would expel from the church those who did welcome them (3Jn.1.10).
John's letter to Gaius, in which Diotrephes is mentioned, was written to commend Gaius for his faithfulness and hospitality towards traveling ministers (3Jn.1.5-8). By contrast, Diotrephes' behavior was a hindrance to the spread of the gospel and the unity of the church.
John declared his intention to confront Diotrephes about his actions when he visited the church (3Jn.1.10).
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Greek | Διοτρεφής |
Diotrephes
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 BC 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.
Priests when offering a sin offering were required to dip a finger into the blood of the sacrificed bullock and "to sprinkle of the blood seven times before Yahweh" (compare Le 4:6, et a