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

Guard Your Pulpits, Pastors!

John is discussing how to deal with false teachers with a local church that he affectionately calls "the elect lady."   When false teachers leave their assembly, don't be ashamed and don't be quiet. False teachers include those who add to the Scriptures.  Now he comes to a third dimension.

2 John 10–11 (NIV),

¹⁰ If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take them into your house or welcome them. ¹¹ Anyone who welcomes them shares in their wicked work.

Because this appears to be a "house" church, I understand that what John is referring to is the welcoming of someone who is by definition a false teacher into your local assembly -- ostensibly to hear what they have to say.   Don't do that!  You become a partner in their wickedness."This is not a prohibition about showing the hospitality to sinners for which Jesus himself was well known (and criticized; see Matt. 9:10–13; 11:19)." [1]  "These circuit-riding preachers depended upon the people of God in each town along their route for food and sustenance; they could not survive without the help and support of Christians." [2]

"The false teachers must not be shown hospitality, as if they were brothers in the faith. Because they are deceivers, it would be a mockery of the Father and a sin against Christ to give those who deny the Son and hate the brethren a place of respect within the community of faith. To do so would be to become a partaker in their unbelief and hatred of the truth." [3]

This should shock us because John is the "so-called" Apostle of love.  But as he set the tone in this letter, a walk of love is never at odds with a walk of truth.  One is not the other, without the other.  

This is tantamount to churches needing to guard their pulpits.  Greeting, in the sense of welcome, fellowship, mutual ministry, etc. to false teachers is nothing less than partnering with them in their atrocities. "While rudeness is not advocated, sternness and determination are clearly dictated as a pattern of behavior for believers. The prohibition includes exclusion from fellowship as well as the refusal to ask God’s blessing upon such a heretic. The phrase “greet him” is a translation of chairein (Gk.) and may be rendered “joy to him” or “health to him.” [4]

Father, Paul through the Holy Spirit called elders to watch for the flock of God.  Wolves would appear from within and without.  Godly church elders need to have the courage not to welcome false teachers into the church.  We need to be discerning.  Sometimes that is hard, Father.  Sometimes what is false is cloaked as an angel of light.  Grant discernment to Your Church, today, Father.  Your love and mercies for the Church are beyond description.  Your Son, our Savior, gave His life and purchased the Church for You.  Fill elders and pastors with the Holy Spirit today and grant us the spiritual gifts to discern falsehood and exalt what is holy and good.  For the glory of our Lord, we pray, Amen. 

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1. Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (2441). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

2. KJV Bible Commentary. 1994 (E. E. Hindson & W. M. Kroll, Ed.) (2643). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

3.  Expositor's Bible Commentary, The, Pradis CD-ROM:2 John/Exposition of 2 John/II. A Formal Word of Instruction (4-11)/B. A Warning (7-11), Book Version: 4.0.2

4. Believer’s Study Bible. 1991 (W. A. Criswell, P. Patterson, E. R. Clendenen, D. L. Akin, M. Chamberlin, D. K. Patterson & J. Pogue, Ed.) (electronic ed.) (2 Jn 10). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.