Quarantine Epistles 108

Pastor Chris’ Corona Quarantine Epistles to the Flock of AIC Ngong Road, in Dispersion and Isolation. 108th. Edition.Posted

Dear New People of God, 

Today’s passage (3 John 9-10) addresses rebellion and somewhat departs from John’s usual approach. This is the only place where John mentions a person negatively by name in his writings, with the exception of Judas Iscariot (for obvious reasons) in his (John’s) gospel (John 6:71; 12:4; 13:2, 26; 18:3, 5), and in these cases, basically reporting what actually happened. That John boldly names someone is therefore worthy of note. 
 
The Face of Defiance (v. 9). John says he wrote to the church, most probably meaning the church of which Gaius was a member. This is in reference to the previous passage, which encouraged hospitality. This would imply that the letter John wrote in that particular instance is lost and not available to us because none of his other letters deals with hospitality in such detail. There is one mention (2 John 10) but it is brief and in the negative. Diotrephes, who is described as desirous of preeminence in the church, is identified as the hindrance to the request for hospitality made by John. This suggests that Diotrephes’ motives were selfish and that he was driven by a desire to be seen as one who is important.
It is dangerous to do anything, even service to God, with ulterior motives, because it clouds our judgment, exposing us to the risk of making wrong decisions. The phrase “does not receive us” is better translated as “Does not acknowledge our authority” (ESV). The danger of pride spilling over is real. How one could challenge the authority of the Apostle is mind-boggling, but there, you have it.  
The Fact of Discipline (v. 10). John makes a rather gentle but obviously loaded threat, that when he comes, he “will call to mind his deeds.” This is a diplomatic way of saying, “I will deal with him.” Some people just need to be dealt with! John says of Diotrephes that he “prates… with malicious words.” This implies both idle talk and evil intent.

Beware of idleness, it gives the devil an opportunity to poison the mind. Not only was Diotrephes a “bull in a china shop,” destroying the precious reputations of others, including that of the Apostle’s, he also was a “Dog in a manger,” failing to receive and entertain other Christians, while forbidding others who desired to, even putting them out of the church!
This shows the danger of anyone person having absolute authority in the church, as well as the folly of a person thinking himself wiser and more important than others. The path of such is littered with expensive, destructive mistakes. Beware of pride.

Your loving Pastor Chris.