Are You A Pugnacious Pastor or Church Leader?

3 John 9–10 (NIV),

⁹ I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not welcome us. ¹⁰ So when I come, I will call attention to what he is doing, spreading malicious nonsense about us. Not satisfied with that, he even refuses to welcome other believers. He also stops those who want to do so and puts them out of the church.

This letter of Paul's that he references is not known to us.  Diotrephes appears to be a church leader in the same church as Gaius, or at least a church near and known to Gaius. Apparently he is a man that loves first place.  He is a man that is spreading false rumors. He refuses to to welcome true believers. When people do extend a welcome to others, he puts them out of the church.  

John promises to deal with him when he comes to visit.  Who is this guy?  Obviously this was a man of some prominence and influence.  Was he a fellow elder?  We are not sure.  If John wrote a letter on hospitality and Diotrephes ditched the letter, then this might make perfect sense.  The point is that he was opposed to Apostolic authority and acting as an authority unto himself.  

All we can be certain of is this: Diotrephes loves himself more than anyone else.  He loves to have first place, preeminence.  The Greek word philoprōteuō means literally, “to love first place.” He is unwilling to submit to others.  Every church can have such an individual.  "Diotrephes was clearly abusing his position of authority. For some reason he was jealous of the apostles and refused to allow them in his church. Instead of following the command for a pastor to be hospitable and “not quarrelsome” (2 Timothy 3:2–3), Diotrephes was inhospitable and pugnacious. Instead of seeking to be the servant of all (Mark 9:35), Diotrephes loved to be in charge." [1]

If Diotrephes was a fellow-elder then the exhortation of Peter is very relevant.  “Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.” (1 Peter 5:2–3, NIV).

Father I am reminded that he who wants to be great must be a servant to all.  Keep me free from self-centered, selfish ambition that runs steam-roller over others.  Keep me from wanting to have the last word.  Keep me from conversation that I twist and turn so that it's all about me.  Keep me from the spirit of Diotrephes.  What a cancer in the body of Christ?   Oh Father that we would all put the interests of others before ourselves. Father that we would see others as more important than ourselves.  Our Savior gave up His rightful place and entered into humanity as a servant.  He served me by taking my sin on Himself.  He gave me, freely, His righteousness.  He died so that I would no longer live to myself, but for Him.  Grant, by the Holy Spirit, the will and the power to serve and not be served, Father.  Forgive me, for deep within my soul is a desire to be liked; a desire to be honored; and a desire to be affirmed.  Kill it with Your Spirit's power, this day.  For the sake of Jesus.  Amen.

 

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1. Read more:http://www.gotquestions.org/Diotrephes-in-the-Bible.html#ixzz3GyZIkKsX

Is There Someone You Call, "My Dear Friend?"

To be honest, I started studying 2 John because it has been neglected in my life.  I also heard a speaker suggest that even Google has neglected it. For example, there was a time when you would search for '2 John' on Google and it would take you to John's Gospel, chapter 2.   I tried. That's changed now.   Anyway, what has been astounding to me in this short letter is the profound expression of the Doctrine of the Church.  

Today, we start a journey into the third letter: 3 John.   This is clearly a companion letter, in John's mind.  He takes the topic of hospitality and gives more instruction on it.  Because of the prevalence of false teachers he combines the dual notions of love with discernment, instead of love and truth -- but its still on his mind.  Let's start at the beginning:  3 John 1–4 (NIV),

¹ The elder, To my dear friend Gaius, whom I love in the truth. ² Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well. ³ It gave me great joy when some believers came and testified about your faithfulness to the truth, telling how you continue to walk in it. ⁴ I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

Again, as in the previous letter, John salutes the recipients with the term "elder".  (“The elder, To the lady chosen by God and to her children, whom I love in the truth—and not I only, but also all who know the truth—” (2 John 1, NIV)).   As I noted before, this is significant.  It reflects among many things the development of the early church through the establishment of pastors and elders and the withdrawal of the Apostles.  John, we understand was the last of the Apostles.

Who is Gaius? The NIV translates the phrase "my dear friend."  The ESV employs the word "beloved" which is a good rendering of the Greek word  ἀγαπητός [ag·ap·ay·tos]. "Although the name Gaius occurs elsewhere in the NT (cf. Acts 19:29; 20:4; Rom 16:23; 1Cor 1:14) and is common enough in the literature of the time, his identity, aside from what is said of him in this letter, is unknown to us. He may have been a member of the church Diotrephes appears to have headed. But whether he held any official position in it is uncertain." [1]

It would appear that John and Gaius are friends and John is writing to him, providing some guidance toward a particular scenario in the church Gaius is part of.  How good it is to have a friend when you are going through difficulty and uncertainty?  How good it is to have a friend, period, today.  I am told that especially men rarely bond to genuine friendships.  We have lots of acquaintances and lots of contacts in our Rolodex -- but few if any "friends."  I preached recently from Romans 16 on the point that friends make great ministry partners. They really do!

Friends are not perfect.  Friends can, and will "let you down."  But there are some important blessings that friends bring to the table.  The Bible speaks of great friendships, David and Jonathon to name one (1 Samuel 18:1-4; 20:14-17). Friends will tell you the truth when others won't (“Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.” (Proverbs 27:6, NIV).  It was common for Paul to address friends in his letters and show his appreciation to them.  There is an expected loyalty among friends, especially in times of trouble (“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.” (Proverbs 17:17, NIV).  Many times you hear Proverbs 18:24 quoted: 

²⁴ One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

It is a rare find in this world for men to have such a friend.  But there is a Friend whom this can always speak to -- man or woman -- His name is Jesus.  To those who trust Him and put their faith in Him, He becomes a true Friend -- closer than any biological relationship. Kevin DeYoung writes [2]:

"Jesus was a friend of sinners not because he winked at sin, ignored sin, or enjoyed light-hearted revelry with those engaged in immorality. Jesus was a friend of sinners in that he came to save sinners and was very pleased to welcome sinners who were open to the gospel, sorry for their sins, and on their way to putting their faith in Him."

Father, I am intrigued by this topic because I am one of the many men who has precious view friends. I am thankful for many men in my life who are a blessing to me.  But there are hardly no friends (in the true sense of the word).  I'm introverted.  I'm a loner.  I am independent.  You made me that way. But that is no excuse.  I know that. I pray for me and all my brothers like me, that You would help us break free from our self-imposed limitations -- our sinful, prideful, self-centered limitations; and in Your grace grant to us at least one good friend.   Thankfully You have done that in the Gospel.  Thankfully, we who are in Christ have a Friend -- a Friend who loves at all times; a Friend who speaks the truth in love; and a Friend who will 'never leave nor forsake us.'  Help us to be a christ-friend to others.   Grant by the power of Your Spirit, as much a this sinner is capable of, a spirit of friendship that reflects the glory of the True Friend, Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen!

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1. Expositor's Bible Commentary, The, Pradis CD-ROM:3 John/Exposition of 3 John/I. Salutation (1), Book Version: 4.0.2

2. http://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/kevindeyoung/2014/03/04/jesus-friend-of-sinners-but-how/

 

Have You Met "The Chosen Lady"?

One of John's devices during times of persecution was to use cryptic language (e.g. The Book of Revelation).  So an non-Christian gets a hold of this letter and reads these opening words, “The elder, To the lady chosen by God and to her children, whom I love in the truth—and not I only, but also all who know the truth—” (2 John 1, NIV).

To the casual reader there is little doubt that John is writing to an individual woman.  However it is more probable that John is writing to a local congregation.  This word lady used here is kyria; and is the same word as “Lord” in the New Testament -- except that it is feminine here (and in verse 5: “And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another.” (2 John 5, NIV)).  So the normal word for lady and the normal word for Church is not used.  What is used is the feminine form of lord.  Interesting?

The letter is also addressed to her children.  If the "lady" is the local congregation, then her children are significantly her members.  This metaphor is extended to the end where greetings are sent from another local church, referred to as her "chosen sister." “The children of your sister, who is chosen by God, send their greetings.” (2 John 13, NIV)

 

"The English word “church” has its roots in the Greek word kuriakon: 'that which belongs to the Lord.'" [1].  So John the Elder is communicating with a local congregation and its members and in essence he writes to:

To the people who belong to God (κυρίᾳ), whom God has chosen (ἐκλεκτῇ) and her members (τέκνοις).

This opening phrase should inspire, assure and inform our life in the Body of Christ, the Church today.   This opening phrase exalts the preeminence of Christ in God.  It highlights His desire and His purposes for the Church today.   The Church and its members are the Lord's.  They are His by election and by possession.  Paul wrote elsewhere:

“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” (1 Corinthians 6:19–20, NIV).

Whether we are talking about the local congregation or its members (as regenerated participants in the Body), we are talking about men and women who are not their own; and are called to honor God, preeminently and ultimately.  John uses this metaphor intentionally.  By employing the notion of family (children/sisters) he is emphasizing the organic bond between believers and churches.  On the contrary, if one is not "born from above" they neither belong to God, nor are they members of the local church.

One can also presume the the line between the individual member and the local body is very thin, when it comes to apostolic thinking.  There seems to be a convergence of categories in the Bible so that the individual never forgets that he or she is part of the larger whole. And alternately, the local church never forgets that it is made up of important and significant individuals.   The Bible does not discount one for the other.

What an amazing life that I get to live, Father!  I was chosen in Christ before the foundations of the world and now I'm part of a community of people chosen in Christ before the foundations of the world.  Together we are a chosen congregation of believers -- elect from every nation; all belonging to God, for the purpose of bringing Him glory and honor.  And this community of elect people that meet together and serve together have a bazillion sister congregations all over the world.  Born-again, blood bought, called-out ones, all chosen in Christ, by God, for His supreme glory.  This is the "purpose driven life" -- to magnify and glorify the risen Lord in all His glory.  My purpose today is to make much of Jesus.  Every breath is to expel the matchless glories of our merciful Savior.  Every decision of the will and every act of the body is to be a road-sign of His glory.   Every thought and every feeling is to be raptured into joy unspeakable and full of glory.  You, Father, are worthy of this and much more.  May Your Spirit cause this to occur in me.   For Jesus sake,




 



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1. Barry, J. D., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Mangum, D., & Whitehead, M. M. (2012). Faithlife Study Bible. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.