Recognition of Authority of Elders (3 John 1:9-10)

RECOGNITION OF AUTHORITY OF ELDERS (3 JOHN 1:9-10):

After writing about supporting the people who are witnesses, Apostle John writes that he had written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge their authority. Apostle John had expressed certain things to the church in some way, but Diotrephes who would have been in some designation in the Church wants to be prioritized and given importance, by putting himself first in everything that it should make him feel proud. Diotrephes is too much self-oriented that he wants himself to be acknowledged and praised, so he doesn’t even honor and give the appropriate credit to the elders and accept their power and guidance which are valuable treasures.

Apostle John who is very loving, caring, and patient in accordance with the truth, condemns the selfish attitude and nature of Diotrephes which is inappropriate for a believer. So Apostle John writes that if he comes he would bring up what he is doing, talking wicked and nonsense against them. And Apostle John further says that he is not content with that, Diotrephes refuses to welcome the brothers and also stops those who want to welcome others and insists them to put them out of the church. Apostle is very intolerant towards Diotrephes because his attitude would have become a wrong model for others. Apostle John writes that if he goes to Gaius, he would take what Diotrephes is doing. Diotrephes was primarily putting himself first and in the process, he talks wicked about others, which is not the truth and just a blabbering which would have deviated many people. Diotrephes doesn’t just stop with all of those wrong things because he doesn’t accept the brothers who could guide and support the church. Even Diotrephes stops those leaders who desire to come to them. Diotrephes doesn’t stop with all of it but continues to do more evil by eliminating them from the church.

Stimulations for Self-Reflection:

1.      What did Apostle John do to Church?

2.      Who is Diotrephes? What he did?

3.      Why does Diotrephes want to put himself first?

4.      Why Diotrephes does not acknowledge the Apostles authority?

5.      What does Apostle John do if he goes to Gaius?

6.      Why Diotrephes talk wicked nonsense against Apostles?

7.      What does Diotrephes not content with, all the evil things?

8.      How we can be humble and consider others' interests?

9.      How we can acknowledge the authority of leaders?