3 John 1

3 John · Chapter 1

3 John 1:9

1The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.2Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.3For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.4I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.5Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;6Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well:7Because that for his name’s sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.8We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.9I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.10Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.11Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.12Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true.13I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee:14But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name.

King James Version (1769)

Other translations

VerseKJVBSBASV
9I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.I have written to the church about this, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not accept our instruction.I wrote somewhat unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.

In context

AI-assisted, sourced

After praising Gaius for welcoming travelling believers (1:5-8), the elder turns to a problem. He had written to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, does not receive him. Verse 10 explains that Diotrephes also speaks against the elder, refuses the brethren, and puts out those who would welcome them. 3 John 1:53 John 1:83 John 1:93 John 1:103 John overview

Speaking"The elder," the unnamed writer of this letter and of 2 John. Early Christian tradition identifies him as John the apostle. 3 John 1:13 John overview

ToGaius, a believer the elder loves and counts among his children in the faith. 3 John 1:13 John 1:43 John overview

Also involvedDiotrephes, a man in the church who wants the first place, and the church the elder wrote to. Travelling brethren and church members who would host them are also hurt by his actions. 3 John 1:93 John 1:10

The elder reports that his earlier letter to the church was not received because Diotrephes refuses him. The verse names the root of the trouble: Diotrephes loves to have the preeminence among them. 3 John 1:9Strong's G5383Strong's G1926

The letter does not name the place. The church was one the elder had written to before, where Gaius lived, likely in the province of Asia; early tradition places John's last years in Ephesus. 3 John overview

ACHAIAASIAGALATIAPHRYGIAAegean SeaEphesusPatmosSmyrnaPergamumThyatiraSardisPhiladelphiaLaodicea

The eventsThe events fall in a time when Christian workers travelled "for his name's sake" and depended on churches to house them and send them on. Domitian was emperor (AD 81-96). 3 John 1:73 John overview

WrittenTraditional view: about AD 85-95, near the time of 1 and 2 John. Scholarly view: most also place it in the late first century, though some think "the elder" was a church leader other than the apostle. 3 John overview

HereThe elder warns Gaius about Diotrephes, who rejected the elder's authority and turned visiting believers away. This sets up the call to follow what is good, not what is evil. 3 John overview3 John 1:103 John 1:11

In the whole of ScriptureJesus rebuked his disciples for arguing over who was greatest and said he was among them "as he that serveth" (Luke 22:24, 27; Mark 9:34). He also taught that "one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren" (Matthew 23:8). Diotrephes' love of first place is the opposite of this pattern. Luke 22:24Luke 22:27Mark 9:34Matthew 23:83 John overview

For readersWanting to be first in the church harms others, especially those who carry the gospel. The letter sets this against Gaius, who is praised for faithful, open-handed welcome. 3 John 1:53 John 1:83 John 1:103 John overview

  • loveth to have the preeminenceφιλοπρωτεύω
    Greek · philoprōteuō · G5383

    The Greek word means "to love to be first" or "to strive to be first." The lexicon lists this verse as its only New Testament use. It names Diotrephes' motive, not just his actions. Strong's G5383

  • receivethἐπιδέχομαι
    Greek · epidechomai · G1926

    The word means to accept or welcome. Here Diotrephes does not accept the elder; in verse 10 the same word is used for receiving the brethren hospitably, which he also refuses. His rejection of the elder and of the travellers go together. Strong's G19263 John 1:10

  • churchἐκκλησία
    Greek · ekklēsia · G1577

    The word means an assembly, in the New Testament especially a company of Christians. The elder had written to the church as a whole, but Diotrephes "receiveth us not." Strong's G15773 John 1:9

Takeaway

This verse is a warning about loving first place in the church. Scripture calls believers to serve as Christ served, and to follow what is good, not what is evil. 3 John 1:93 John 1:11Luke 22:27Matthew 23:8

Drafted by AI from the Scripture and data shown under “Show sources,” then checked automatically and by a second AI pass. Updated 2026-10-23.

The world around the text

About AD 85-95. Roman emperor: Domitian (AD 81-96). Where early tradition places John's last years. The greatest city of the province of Asia, on the west coast of today's Turkey.

Who ruled
  • Roman emperorDomitianAD 81-96

    Son of Vespasian and brother of Titus. Suetonius says he had himself styled "our Lord and God" in official letters. Early Christian writers say John was exiled to Patmos in his reign. Suetonius, Domitian 13Revelation 1:9Irenaeus, Against Heresies 5.30.3Eusebius, Church History 3.18

  • Roman emperorsNerva and TrajanAD 96-98, 98-117

    After Domitian was murdered in AD 96 the Senate chose the elderly Nerva, who adopted the general Trajan. Early tradition says John lived on in Ephesus into Trajan's reign. Suetonius, Domitian 14-17Cassius Dio, Roman History 68.1-4Irenaeus, Against Heresies 2.22.5

  • Governor of the province of AsiaThe proconsul of AsiaOne-year terms

    Asia was governed by a proconsul appointed for a year at a time, who heard cases in its leading cities, Ephesus among them. Acts 19:38Strabo, Geography 17.3.25

  • King of ParthiaPacorus IIc. AD 78-110

    Ruler of the Parthian empire beyond the Euphrates, Rome's great rival in the east, at peace with Rome through these years. Cassius Dio, Roman History 68.17

What was happening, AD 70 to AD 96
  1. AD 70
    WarJerusalem and its temple destroyed

    Roman armies under Titus took Jerusalem after a long siege and burned the temple, as Jesus had foretold. Josephus, Jewish War 6.249-287Luke 21:5-6Luke 21:20-24

  2. August AD 79
    DisasterVesuvius buries Pompeii

    The eruption of Vesuvius buried Pompeii and Herculaneum. Pliny the Younger watched it from across the bay; his uncle Pliny the Elder died trying to rescue people. Pliny the Younger, Letters 6.16, 6.20

  3. AD 80
    BuildingThe Colosseum opens in Rome

    Titus opened the great amphitheater begun by his father Vespasian with 100 days of games. Suetonius, Titus 7.3Cassius Dio, Roman History 66.25

  4. AD 83 or 84
    WarRome's furthest push into Britain

    The governor Agricola defeated the Caledonians at Mons Graupius in what is now Scotland, and his fleet sailed around the north of Britain. Tacitus, Agricola 29-38

  5. AD 85-89
    WarWar with the Dacians

    The Dacians crossed the Danube and killed a Roman governor. After years of fighting, Domitian made a peace that paid their king Decebalus a yearly subsidy. Suetonius, Domitian 6Cassius Dio, Roman History 67.6-7

  6. c. AD 89
    BuildingEphesus builds a temple to the emperors

    Ephesus won the honor of a provincial temple for the worship of the emperors, the Temple of the Sebastoi, with a colossal statue of an emperor. Its remains stand in the city's upper square. Temple of the Sebastoi, Ephesus (excavated remains and inscriptions)

  7. AD 93-94
    DiscoveryJosephus finishes his history of the Jews

    In Rome the Jewish historian Josephus completed his Antiquities of the Jews, which mentions John the Baptist, James the brother of Jesus, and Jesus himself. Josephus, Antiquities 20.267Josephus, Antiquities 18.116-119, 20.200

  8. c. AD 95
    The churchJohn on Patmos

    John was on the island of Patmos "for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ" when he received the Revelation. Early writers date this to the end of Domitian's reign. Revelation 1:9Irenaeus, Against Heresies 5.30.3

  9. c. AD 96
    The churchClement of Rome writes to Corinth

    The church at Rome sent a letter, traditionally by Clement, to settle a dispute at Corinth where younger members had removed their elders. It is one of the earliest Christian writings outside the New Testament. 1 Clement 1, 44, 47

  10. September AD 96
    RulersDomitian is murdered

    Domitian was killed in a palace plot. The Senate condemned his memory and chose Nerva as emperor. Suetonius, Domitian 14-17, 23

The full picture: places, culture and daily life. Scripture first, then ancient writers on these years (Suetonius, Tacitus, Cassius Dio, Josephus, Pliny, Irenaeus, Eusebius). The letter names no place, so the setting follows early tradition. Drafted by Claude and not yet reviewed by a person.

Original Greek words

EnglishGreekSay itStrong'sMeaning
I have writtenἜγραψάEgrapsaG1125
to write

γράφω (graphō) γράφω, [in LXX chiefly for כּתב ]; 1. to scrape, graze (Hom.), and later (Hdt.) to sketch, draw. 2. to write; (a) of forming or tracing letters on writing material: Jhn.8:[6], Gal.6:11, 2Th.3:17; (b) to express in writing, commit to writing, record: Luk.1:63, Jhn.19:21, 22 Rev.1:11, 19 al.; of scripture as a standing authority (Deiss., BS, 112ff.), γέγραπται, it stands written (Luther), Mat.4:4, Mrk.7:6, Luk.4:8, Rom.1:17, 1Co.1:31, al.; id. before ἐν, Mrk.1:2, Act.1:20, al.; with accusative, to write of: Jhn.1:46, Rom.10:5; before περί, Mat.26:24, Mrk.14:21, Jhn.5:46; al.; with dative (WM …

church;ἐκκλησίᾳ·ekklēsiaG1577
assembly

ἐκκλησία (ekklēsia) ἐκκλησία, -ας, ἡ (ἐκ-καλέω), [in LXX chiefly for קָהָל, otherwise for one of its cogn. forms ;] 1. prop., an assembly of citizens regularly convened (in Thuc., ii, 22, opposite to σύλλογος, a concourse): Act.19:32, 39 41. 2. In LXX of the assembly, congregation, community of Israel (Deu.4:10 23:2, al.): Act.7:38, Heb.2:12" (LXX) . 3. NT, esp. of an assembly or company of Christians, a (the) church; (a) of gatherings for worship: 1Co.11:18 14:19, 34 35; …

butἀλλ᾽all᾽G0235
but

ἀλλά (alla) ἀλλά (ἀλλ᾽ usually bef. α and υ, often bef. ε and η, rarely bef. ο and ω, never bef. ι; Tdf., Pr., 93 f.; WH, App., 146), adversative particle, stronger than δέ; prop. neuter pl. of ἄλλος, used adverbially, with changed accent; hence prop. otherwise, on the other hand (cf. Rom.3:31); …

loving to be firstφιλοπρωτεύωνphiloprōteuōnG5383
to love to be first

φιλοπρωτεύω (philoprōteuō) φιλο-πρωτιύω (φιλόπρωτος, Plut., al.) to strive to be first: III Jn 9 (eccl.).† (AS)

among themαὐτῶνautōnG0846
it/s/he

αὐτός (autos) αὐτός, -ή, -ό, determinative pron., in late Gk. much more frequently than in cl. (WM, 178f.; Jannaris, HGG, §1399). 1. Emphatic (so always in nom. exc. when preceded by the art., see infr., iii); (1) self (ipse), expressing opposition, distinction, exclusion, etc., αὐ. ἐκχυθήσεται, Luk.5:37; αὐ. ἐγινώσκεν, Jhn.2:25; αὐ.ὑμεῖς, Jhn.3:28; καὶ αὐ. ἐγώ, Rom.15:14; αὐ. Ἰησοῦς, Jhn.2:24; αὐ. καὶ οἱ μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ, Mrk.2:25; ὑμεῖς αὐ., Mrk.6:31; esp. (as freq in cl.) αὐ. ὁ, Mat.3:4, Mrk.6:17, Jhn.16:27, 1Th.3:11, al.; in late Gk., sometimes weakened, ἐν αὐτῇ τ. ὥρᾳ, in that hour, Luk.10:21 (M, Pr., 91; …

DiotrephesΔιοτρέφηςDiotrephēsG1361
Diotrephes

Διοτρεφής (Diotrephēs) Διοτρέφης (Rec. -τρεψής), -ες (Διός, genitive of Ζεύς + τρέφω: cherished by Zeus), as proper name, Diotrephes: III Jn 9.† (AS)

notοὐκoukG3756
no

οὐ (ou) οὐ, before a vowel with smooth breathing οὐκ, before one with rough breathing οὐχ (but improperly οὐχ ἰδού, Act.2:7, WH, mg.; cf. WH, Intr., §409; M, Pr., 44, 244), [in LXX for אֵין ,אַיִן ,לֹא ;] neg. particle, not, no, used generally with indic, and for a denial of fact (cf . μή); 1. absol. (accented), οὔ, no: Mat.13:29 Jhn.1:21 21:5; οὒ οὕ, Mat.5:37 Jas.5:12. …

welcomesἐπιδέχεταιepidechetaiG1926
to welcome

ἐπιδέχομαι (epidechomai) ἐπι-δέχομαι [in LXX: Jdth.13:13 B2, 1Ma.10:1 1Mac 14:23, Sir.51:26, al. ;] 1. in cl., of things, to allow of, admit of (Dem., Arist., al.). In late writers, 2. to accept besides (Polyb.), to accept (in π. of the terms of a lease; see ICC, on 3Jo, l.with): III Jn 9. 3. (a) to receive besides (Menand.); (b) to receive hospitably (1Mac, Sir, ll with): III Jn 10† (AS)

us.ἡμᾶς.hēmasG3165
me

μέ (me) 1. apostrophe for με. 2. rarely for μοι, (Homer) (ML)

Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.