Read & explore together
Diotrephes and Demetrius
These verses place two people side by side. Diotrephes rejects the writer’s message and mistreats others, while Demetrius is well spoken of. The reader is told plainly not to copy evil, but to imitate good.
Understanding the passage
The setting of these words
In this part of the letter, the writer mentions a previous letter to the assembly, names Diotrephes for his conduct, gives a direct command about imitation, and then commends Demetrius with testimony from others, from the truth itself, and from the writer.
3 John 1:9–12Main takeaway
This passage teaches readers to recognise selfish, harmful conduct and to follow what is good.
Follow the letter’s teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Diotrephes rejects the writer’s messageThe writer says he had written to the assembly, but Diotrephes does not accept what “we say”.
Explanation
The writer says he had written to the assembly, but Diotrephes does not accept what “we say”. He is described as one who “loves to be first among them”. The verse points to self-importance joined with refusal to receive the writer’s message.
02His conduct damages the assemblyThe writer says he will call attention to Diotrephes’ deeds if he comes. Those deeds include unjust accusations with wicked words, refusing the brothers, stopping those who want to receive them, and throwing people out of the assembly.
Explanation
The writer says he will call attention to Diotrephes’ deeds if he comes. Those deeds include unjust accusations with wicked words, refusing the brothers, stopping those who want to receive them, and throwing people out of the assembly. The passage lists actions that harm both speech and fellowship.
03Do not imitate evilThe instruction is direct: do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The writer adds that the one who does good is of God, while the one who does evil has not seen God.
Explanation
The instruction is direct: do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The writer adds that the one who does good is of God, while the one who does evil has not seen God. The passage ties imitation to visible conduct.
04Demetrius is commendedDemetrius is then presented positively. He has testimony from all, from the truth itself, and from the writer and his companions.
Explanation
Demetrius is then presented positively. He has testimony from all, from the truth itself, and from the writer and his companions. Coming straight after the command to imitate good, this commendation shows him in this passage as a clear example of good conduct and trustworthy character.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01Which actions make Diotrephes’ behaviour a serious problem in the assembly?
List the actions named in the verses: he does not accept what the writer says, accuses unjustly, refuses the brothers, forbids others, and throws people out.
02What exactly does the writer tell the reader to imitate?
Use the command in verse 11 and the explanation that follows about doing good and doing evil.
03How is Demetrius commended in this passage?
Notice the three witnesses mentioned for him: all, the truth itself, and the writer’s own testimony.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
3 John 1:9–12
9I wrote to the assembly, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, doesn’t accept what we say.
10Therefore, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words. Not content with this, he doesn’t receive the brothers himself, and those who would, he forbids and throws out of the assembly.
11Beloved, don’t imitate that which is evil, but that which is good. He who does good is of God. He who does evil hasn’t seen God.
12Demetrius has the testimony of all, and of the truth itself; yes, we also testify, and you know that our testimony is true.