So if I come, I will bring up what he is doing, talking wicked nonsense against us. And not content with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers, and also stops those who want to and puts them out of the church.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Diotrephes isn't just being a jerk; he's actively weaponizing his "words" to sow division and control the community. His "wicked nonsense" isn't just gossip, it's a tactic to discredit and ostracize those who don't align with him, ultimately barring entry to the very people God's people should be embracing.
So if I come, I will bring up what he is doing, talking wicked nonsense against us. And not content with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers, and also stops those who want to and puts them out of the church.
English Standard Version (ESV)
John is writing to his dear friend Gaius, commending him for his hospitality towards traveling believers, contrasting Gaius's generous spirit with the selfish and divisive actions of a man named Diotrephes. Diotrephes is causing trouble within the church, speaking slanderously and excommunicating those who don't follow his lead. John's letter serves as a gentle but firm rebuke, aiming to restore order and encourage continued faithfulness in the face of such opposition.
Words have power, and John warns about destructive talk. What does it mean to speak 'wicked nonsense,' and why is it so harmful?
Spreading Lies and Division
John calls out Diotrephes for speaking 'wicked nonsense against us.' This wasn't just idle gossip; it was deliberate, harmful talk aimed at undermining John and his companions. Think of it as spreading lies and slander that sow discord.
The Goal: To Exclude
This 'nonsense' had a purpose: to create division and isolate people. Diotrephes wasn't just talking; his words were a weapon to push people away from the truth and from the community. His goal was to control the narrative and exclude those who didn't align with him.
Hospitality is a cornerstone of Christian community. What happens when someone actively prevents others from showing kindness and support?
Refusing to Welcome
John highlights Diotrephes's refusal to welcome 'the brothers.' In the New Testament, 'brothers' often refers to fellow believers, traveling ministers, or those in need within the faith community. Refusing them hospitality was a direct rejection of Christ-like love and community.
Actively Hindering Others
Diotrephes didn't stop at just withholding hospitality himself. He 'stops those who want to and puts them out of the church.' This is a serious offense – actively preventing others from exercising grace and kindness, and even excommunicating them. It reveals a controlling spirit that prioritizes exclusion over unity and love.
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Understand the original words
adelphos · Greek Noun
The community of believers in Christ who share a spiritual bond, treating one another as family under the fatherhood of God.
This letter comes from a period where the early church was establishing its identity and structures, making the stand against arrogant, divisive leaders like Diotrephes crucial for maintaining unity and truth.
c. AD 50-52
Paul's Ministry in Ephesus
The Apostle Paul spent over two years in Ephesus, a major city in the Roman province of Asia. This period established a strong Christian community and laid the groundwork for the churches that would later receive John's letters.
c. AD 60s
Early Church Leadership and Growth
As the church grew, established leaders and elders were appointed to guide local congregations. This period saw the development of church order and the addressing of internal issues, including challenges to authority.
c. AD 90-100
John's Ministry in Ephesus
The Apostle John, likely the last of the original apostles, was active in Ephesus during this era. He shepherded churches in the region and addressed emerging theological and practical problems.
c. AD 90-100— this verse
Diotrephes' Opposition
During this time, a leader named Diotrephes emerged who was causing division and acting with arrogance. He rejected apostolic authority, slandered people, and actively prevented others from showing hospitality to traveling ministers.
This passage addresses the need to deal with corrupting influences within the church community, mirroring John's concern about Diotrephes' divisive actions.
2 Timothy 2:17It warns about false teachers whose 'spread like gangrene' rhetoric, similar to Diotrephes' 'wicked nonsense,' can damage the faith of others.
Matthew 18:17Jesus outlines steps for church discipline, including addressing those who refuse to listen to the church, which relates to Diotrephes' exclusion of those John wanted to support.
Romans 16:17Paul urges believers to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles, which directly parallels Diotrephes' behavior of refusing hospitality and hindering others.
Diotrephes isn't just being a jerk; he's actively weaponizing his "words" to sow division and control the community. His "wicked nonsense" isn't just gossip, it's a tactic to discredit and ostracize those who don't align with him, ultimately barring entry to the very people God's people should be embracing.
John is writing to his dear friend Gaius, commending him for his hospitality towards traveling believers, contrasting Gaius's generous spirit with the selfish and divisive actions of a man named Diotrephes. Diotrephes is causing trouble within the church, speaking slanderously and excommunicating those who don't follow his lead. John's letter serves as a gentle but firm rebuke, aiming to restore order and encourage continued faithfulness in the face of such opposition.
John is writing to his dear friend Gaius, commending him for his hospitality towards traveling believers, contrasting Gaius's generous spirit with the selfish and divisive actions of a man named Diotrephes. Diotrephes is causing trouble within the church, speaking slanderously and excommunicating those who don't follow his lead. John's letter serves as a gentle but firm rebuke, aiming to restore order and encourage continued faithfulness in the face of such opposition.
"So if I come, I will bring up what he is doing, talking wicked nonsense against us. And not content with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers, and also stops those who want to and puts them out of the church." — Diotrephes isn't just being a jerk; he's actively weaponizing his "words" to sow division and control the community. His "wicked nonsense" isn't just gossip, it's a tactic to discredit and ostracize…
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Last reviewed October 2026