SEEKING THE PREEMINENCE IS EVIL
Friday – December 12, 2025
Video link: https://youtu.be/i8g-LS2m9-0
Welcome saint and sinner alike to this ongoing study of 3rd John. I have covered most of the substantive material contained in this epistle. You will recall that the Apostle John is writing to a spiritual or natural son by the name of Gaius. John has gotten reports concerning Gaius that he not only knows the Truth but is walking in the Truth. People can know about the Truth but not walk in it, at least not consistently. It has to become a rhema Word, a revelation, a light and then the person will walk in it as the only way to walk (think, talk, live). Then the Apostle commends Gaius for his excellent treatment and support, financial and otherwise, of Evangelists that visited the Church of which Gaius is a member. Now, the Apostle turns his attention to the head of this unnamed Church.
3 John 1:9-12 (ESV)
9 I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority.
10 So if I come, I will bring up what he is doing, talking wicked nonsense against us. And not content with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers, and also stops those who want to and puts them out of the church.
11 Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God.
12 Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself. We also add our testimony, and you know that our testimony is true.
The Apostle, one of the original twelve, informs Gaius that he has written to Diotrephes who appears to be the leader of this Church. We are not told the content of the letter. I think we might accurately conclude it was in reference to these Evangelists visiting the Church. He goes on to tell Gaius that this man, Diotrephes, does not receive him nor acknowledge the Apostles authority in that Church or the Church at large.
In verse nine the word “likes” is “loveth” in the King James but is not Divine, agape, love. It is the word philoprōteuō transliterated from Greek to English meaning to be fond of being first, to be ambitious of distinction according to Strong’s Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary. As we go into verse ten, we find John telling Gaius he is coming to this Church, and he will confront Diotrephes.
Apparently, this man is speaking “malicious” things about the Apostle in the King James translation, in ESV “wicked nonsense”. According to the Thesaurus synonyms of nonsense includes garbage, baloney, drivel, rubbish, poppycock, balderdash, and hot air. The Apostle John points out that not only does this man not receive him and those with him but will not receive these evangelist and perhaps others but forbids others in the Church from receiving them. He even goes to the extent of pushing people out of the Church who do receive John and other brethren like these Evangelists. Perhaps you have seen this in your time as a Christian or other observer of the Church. This is alive and well in the Church today.
As we enter verse eleven, we find the Apostle instructing Gaius not to follow after this man, do not imitate evil but instead that which is good. This brings us to a very sobering statement. “Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God.” John calls what Diotrephes is doing evil but stops short of saying he is not saved. Let’s look at the word “seen” in the phrase “seen God”. In the Greek this word means to discern clearly, to attend to, to experience, perceive, or take heed according to Strong’s Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary. In other words, this man is a carnal Christian, a baby Christian at best.
TAKE HOME:
- Do not seek after the preeminence but after God.
- Do not speak evil of fellow Christians whether you agree with them or not.
- Thinking, speaking, acting evil towards other believers especially Church leaders is an indication that you do not have full discernment of God.
Lord willing, I will resume right here next Friday. Remember, we love you, the Lord loves you, and there is nothing you can do about either one.
By: Dr. David R. Wood, Bible Teacher, and Prophetic Voice
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