Diotrephes The One Who Loved to Be First
About Diotrephes
Diotrephes is mentioned only in 3 John as a negative example of church leadership. He loved to have the preeminence, rejected the apostle John's authority, spread malicious gossip about John and other leaders, refused to welcome traveling missionaries, and even expelled from the church those who did welcome them. His behavior illustrates the dangers of pride, love of power, and self-promotion in church leadership.
Diotrephes's Character Traits
Diotrephes's Life Timeline
View journey on mapDiotrephes's Key Relationships
Spiritual Lessons from Diotrephes
Love for Preeminence
Diotrephes 'loved to have the preeminence.' His desire to be first led him to reject apostolic authority, slander leaders, and excommunicate godly people. Love of position corrupts ministry and harms the church.
Key Verses about Diotrephes
Frequently Asked Questions
Latest from the Blog
Fresh reflections on faith and Scripture
What If Certainty, Not Doubt, Is Faith's Real Enemy?
We've been taught that doubt threatens faith, but what if we got it backwards? Certainty demands proof while faith requires trust, and the Bible shows us that some of the greatest believers weren't certain at all—they were committed despite their questions.
Read more
When Machines Think: What the Bible Says About AI
Artificial intelligence is changing everything from how we work to how we worship, raising urgent questions for Christians. The Bible doesn't mention ChatGPT, but it has plenty to say about wisdom, stewardship, and what makes us truly human in an age where machines can almost pass for people.
Read more
When Mercy Meets Justice: The Collision That Changes Everything
Love and forgiveness often get tangled up with justice in ways that make us uncomfortable. The Bible doesn't shy away from this tension but instead shows us how mercy and justice meet in radical, transformative ways that change both victims and offenders.
Read more