### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb G1926 (ἐπιδέχομαι, epidéchomai) is a compound word formed from the preposition ἐπί (epí), meaning "upon," "to," or "in addition to," and the verb δέχομαι (déchomai) `{{G1209}}`, meaning "to take," "to receive," or "to accept." The compound form suggests a nuanced meaning beyond simple reception. It conveys the sense of "to admit," "to welcome," "to receive into fellowship or one's presence," or "to accept a person or their message." The prefix ἐπί can intensify the act of reception, implying a deliberate and perhaps formal act of welcoming or acknowledging someone or something. It is not merely a passive receiving, but an active admission.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term G1926 (ἐπιδέχομαι) appears only twice in the New Testament, both instances occurring in the Third Epistle of John, and both referring to the actions of Diotrephes.
1. **[[3 John 1:9]]**: "I wrote to the church; but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, does not **receive** us." (οὐκ ἐπιδέχεται ἡμᾶς). Here, the apostle John states that Diotrephes actively refuses to admit or welcome him and his apostolic authority. This refusal is presented as a deliberate act of rejection, stemming from Diotrephes' desire for preeminence within the church. It signifies a rejection of apostolic instruction and legitimate spiritual leadership.
2. **[[3 John 1:10]]**: "Therefore, if I come, I will call to mind his deeds which he does, prating against us with malicious words. And not content with that, he himself does not **receive** the brethren, and forbids those who wish to, and casts them out of the church." (οὐδὲ τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς ἐπιδέχεται). In this verse, Diotrephes' refusal extends from John himself to "the brethren," likely referring to Christian missionaries or fellow believers sent by John. His non-reception of these individuals is compounded by his active prevention of others from showing hospitality and his expulsion of those who do. This demonstrates a comprehensive rejection of Christian fellowship, hospitality, and apostolic oversight, indicating a schismatic and authoritarian posture. The use of epidéchomai underscores the intentionality and gravity of his refusal to admit these legitimate representatives of the Christian community.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is δέχομαι (déchomai) `{{G1209}}`, the simpler verb for "to receive." While déchomai can also imply acceptance or welcoming, epidéchomai carries a more specific nuance of admitting someone into one's presence, home, or fellowship, often with a sense of deliberate decision. The prefix ἐπί adds emphasis to the act of reception, indicating a welcoming "upon" oneself or "in addition to" existing relationships.
Other related concepts and words include:
* φιλοξενία (philoxenia) `{{G5381}}`: "love of strangers," or hospitality, which is the antithesis of Diotrephes' actions.
* ὑποδέχομαι (hypodéchomai) `{{G5264}}`: "to receive under one's roof," also related to hospitality, often implying a more personal or intimate reception.
* The broader concept of Christian fellowship (κοινωνία, koinōnia `{{G2842}}`) and the necessity of welcoming those who are part of the body of Christ.
* The concept of apostolic authority and the proper reception of God's messengers.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of G1926 (ἐπιδέχομαι) in 3 John is profound, despite its limited occurrences. Diotrephes' refusal to "receive" John and the brethren is not merely a breach of social etiquette; it is a serious theological and ecclesiological offense.
1. **Rejection of Apostolic Authority**: By refusing to epidéchomai John, Diotrephes rejects the legitimate authority of an apostle of Christ. This act undermines the divine order within the early church and challenges the very foundation of apostolic teaching and leadership. Such rejection is tantamount to rejecting Christ's own messengers, a theme found elsewhere (e.g., [[Matthew 10:40]], [[Luke 10:16]]).
2. **Breach of Christian Hospitality and Fellowship**: The refusal to epidéchomai the brethren (missionaries or fellow believers) is a direct violation of the New Testament imperative for hospitality among believers ([[Romans 12:13]], [[Hebrews 13:2]]). This act demonstrates a lack of love and a breakdown of Christian fellowship, leading to division within the church.
3. **Usurpation of Authority**: Diotrephes' actions stem from his desire for preeminence, leading him to exclude those whom he perceives as a threat to his self-appointed authority. His "not receiving" is an active assertion of his own will against the established spiritual order and the unity of the body of Christ.
4. **Discernment and Truth**: The context implies that those whom Diotrephes refused to receive were authentic messengers of the Gospel. The call to epidéchomai implies a responsibility to discern true teachers and to extend welcome to those who genuinely represent Christ and His truth.
### Summary
The Greek verb G1926 (ἐπιδέχομαι, epidéchomai) signifies a deliberate act of admitting, welcoming, or receiving someone into one's presence or fellowship. Its two occurrences in 3 John highlight its critical importance in the context of early church order and relationships. Diotrephes' refusal to epidéchomai the apostle John and the traveling brethren represents a grave theological error: a rejection of apostolic authority, a severe breach of Christian hospitality, and an act of schism driven by a desire for personal preeminence. The word thus emphasizes the profound spiritual implications of welcoming or rejecting those who bear the message and authority of Christ within the community of faith.
TRV