I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us. 10 Therefore, if I come, I will call to mind his deeds which he does, prating against us with malicious words. And not content with that, he himself does not receive the brethren, and forbids those who wish to, putting them out of the church.—3 John 9-10
Diotrephes was not motivated by love for God and for the brethren but by pride. His concern was first and foremost Diotrephes. If we are being honest, like Diotrephes, we are usually our first thought in the morning and our last at night. Our default position when something happens is to first analyze how whatever it is might affect us personally. It is only by the Spirit of God that we can think on others at all. Diotrephes desire was to be first..he wanted the pre-eminence. He wanted what belongs only to God. Paul says this in Philippians:
Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.—Philippians 2:3-4
According to John MacArthur, “the Greek word which is sometimes rendered “strife” because it refers to factionalism, rivalry, and partisanship, speaks of the pride that prompts people to push for their own way. Conceit, literally ‘empty glory’, refers to the pursuit of personal glory, which is the motivation for selfish ambition. Lowliness of mind translates a Greek word that Paul and other NT writers apparently coined. It was a term of derision, with the idea of being low, shabby, and humble. John MacArthur also says that ‘esteeming others as better than himself’ is the basic definition of true humility.”
Philippians 2 continues with these words:
5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.—Philippians 2:5-8
Beloved, let this mind be in you! Trust God with your pre-eminence, your position and your prestige. He cares for you, thinks on you, intercedes for you and fights for you. He is your strong habitation to which you may continually resort, and He has given the commandment to save you. Dwell in the land and feed on His faithfulness. Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord and He will lift you up.
So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you? 13 You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. 16 Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.—John 13:12-17
If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.—1 Peter 4:11
