Read 3 John 9–12
Questions from the Scripture text: To whom else has John written about hosting the missionary brethren (3 John 9)? But who has the preeminence among them? And what is his attitude about that? How did he respond to the request for hospitality? Where might John go (3 John 10)? What will he do if he goes there? How does John describe Dioterphes’s deeds? How does he describe his speech? What does he do to the brethren? What does he do to church members who do differently? What is Gaius in danger of imitating (3 John 11)? What do Diotrophes’s actions show about him? Who has what (3 John 12)? From whom? And from what? And also from whom? What does Gaius know about this last testimony?
What do believers need if they are to be godly? 3 John 9–12 looks forward to the second serial reading in morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these four verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that believers need awareness of who is a spiritual or theological threat, and of who is properly qualified and ordained, as part of God’s means in making them godly.
Naming names. As John continues urging Gaius to be hospitable to the missionaries that he is sending, he now gives Gaius counsel about how to think and act with respect to his local church. Here, the apostle does something politically incorrect. He names names. He names Diotrephes, the “lead” elder whose love for preeminence has gone hand-in-hand with refusing to welcome John or the missionaries (3 John 9) and with gossiping nonsense against them (3 John 10).
As those who love first place often do, Diotrephes engaged in identity politics in the church. Not only did he refuse hospitality to John, but also to anyone associated with him, and excommunicating anyone who did give them hospitality! It is important, for the theological and spiritual safety of God’s people, to name the names of those who are theologically and spiritually dangerous.
Whom not to imitate. John now calls Gaius “beloved” again (3 John 11), warning him that there is much more at stake than who will “win” in church politics. Diotrephes “has not seen God.” He doesn’t do good, because he has no birth from God. Charismatic leaders may be inspiring, but their selfishness exposes their true character and serves as a warning not to follow them, not to imitate them.
Whom to imitate (doctrine of ordination). Rather, the Lord gives us those whom we should imitate. Demetrius (3 John 12) is actually qualified to be an elder. He has a good testimony “from all” (cf. 1 Timothy 3:7). He also has a good testimony “from the truth itself,” meaning that his doctrine is sound according to Scripture, and his character is godly according to Scripture.
Finally, John and the other elders have borne witness to Demetrius; they have attested to his qualification and his selection by God in the laying on of hands of ordination. Here is one more important reason for us to follow the biblical doctrine of ordination: that we may have elders worthy of imitating.
The Lord protect His church from those who would be closed-hearted toward others and full of gossip and “identity politics.” And the Lord give His church elders who are hospitable, generous, and full of truth and love, so that by their ministry and example, He might sanctify for Himself a people who are hospitable, generous, and full of truth and love.
How are you resisting the desire to have the first place among others? In what ways are elders sometimes selected in the churches? Whom do you know that are qualified and ordained according to 1 Timothy 3:1–7 and Titus 1:5–9? What are you doing to be hospitable to them and imitate them?
Sample prayer: Lord, thank You for those ministers who are careful enough of souls to name names about those who are spiritually and theologically dangerous. Forgive us for not being so careful of our own souls. And forgive us for when we like to have the first place, and when we gossip nonsense against others. Thank You for those elders who are properly qualified and ordained. Forgive us for not receiving Your testimony about them or imitating them in their godliness. Grant that our conduct would show that we are born of God, we ask through Your only begotten Son, our Lord Jesus, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP15 “Within Your Tent Who Will Reside?” or TPH406 “Jesus, with Thy Church Abide”
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