3 John 1:10

Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth [them] out of the church.

Wherefore {G1223}{G5124}, if {G1437} I come {G2064}, I will remember {G5279} his {G846} deeds {G2041} which {G3739} he doeth {G4160}, prating against {G5396} us {G2248} with malicious {G4190} words {G3056}: and {G2532} not {G3361} content {G714} therewith {G1909}{G5125}, neither {G3777} doth {G1926} he himself {G846} receive {G1926} the brethren {G80}, and {G2532} forbiddeth {G2967} them that would {G1014}, and {G2532} casteth {G1544} them out of {G1537} the church {G1577}.

So if I come, I will bring up everything he is doing, including his spiteful and groundless gossip about us. And as if that weren’t enough for him, he refuses to recognize the brothers’ authority either; moreover, he stops those who want to do so and tries to drive them out of the congregation!

So if I come, I will call attention to his malicious slander against us. And unsatisfied with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers and forbids those who want to do so, even putting them out of the church.

Therefore, if I come, I will bring to remembrance his works which he doeth, prating against us with wicked words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and them that would he forbiddeth and casteth them out of the church.

Commentary

Context

Third John is a deeply personal letter from the Apostle John, addressing three individuals: Gaius (a faithful recipient of the letter), Diotrephes (a problematic leader), and Demetrius (a commendable individual). This verse specifically focuses on Diotrephes, who has emerged as a disruptive figure within the local church. John is expressing his intent to confront Diotrephes's actions directly when he next visits, highlighting the severe issues of pride, abuse of power, and rejection of apostolic authority that Diotrephes embodies.

Key Themes

  • Abuse of Leadership Authority: Diotrephes seeks preeminence, using his position to undermine legitimate authority and control the congregation. His actions demonstrate a stark contrast to the servant leadership advocated by Christ.
  • Malicious Slander and Gossip: The phrase "prating against us with malicious words" points to Diotrephes's use of harmful, idle, and ill-intentioned speech to discredit John and his associates. This highlights the destructive power of the tongue within a community.
  • Lack of Christian Hospitality: Diotrephes not only refuses to welcome the traveling missionaries sent by John but also actively prevents others from doing so. This directly violates the New Testament emphasis on hospitality towards fellow believers and strangers, which was crucial for early church evangelism and fellowship.
  • Exclusion and Division: The most severe action attributed to Diotrephes is casting members out of the church for showing hospitality to John's messengers. This represents an extreme act of control and division, undermining the unity of the body of Christ.
  • Apostolic Resolve: John's statement, "if I come, I will remember his deeds," indicates his firm resolve to address Diotrephes's misconduct directly and hold him accountable, asserting his apostolic authority for the good of the church.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV word "prating" translates the Greek word phlyareo (φλυαρέω), which means to talk idly, to babble, or to speak nonsense, often with malicious intent or slander. It suggests that Diotrephes's words were not only baseless but also harmful and disruptive. The phrase "malicious words" (Greek: logois ponerois) further emphasizes the evil and destructive nature of his speech, indicating a deliberate intent to harm John's reputation and authority.

Practical Application

This verse offers timeless lessons for the church today. It underscores the critical importance of humble and Christ-like leadership, warning against those who seek power for personal gain rather than service. It also serves as a strong caution against the dangers of gossip and slander within the Christian community, reminding believers of the call to speak truth in love and promote unity. Furthermore, it highlights the enduring value of Christian hospitality and the need for discernment when confronted with those who disrupt fellowship or undermine legitimate spiritual authority. Diotrephes's actions serve as a somber reminder of the potential for internal strife and the necessity for church leaders to address such issues, sometimes through disciplining those who cause division.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Isaiah 66:5

    ¶ Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name's sake, said, Let the LORD be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed.

  • Proverbs 10:10

    ¶ He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow: but a prating fool shall fall.

  • Luke 6:22

    Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you [from their company], and shall reproach [you], and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.

  • 2 Corinthians 13:2

    I told you before, and foretell you, as if I were present, the second time; and being absent now I write to them which heretofore have sinned, and to all other, that, if I come again, I will not spare:

  • John 9:34

    They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out.

  • John 9:35

    ¶ Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God?

  • Proverbs 10:8

    ¶ The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall.
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