How do Gaius and Diotrephes treat the traveling brothers differently?

Atlas of Saints · Chapter summary

The writer praises Gaius for welcoming and helping the brothers. Diotrephes refuses them, stops others from welcoming them, and puts those who do out of the church. The letter calls Gaius to follow what is good.

Chapter breakdown

The writer calls himself the Ancient and greets Gaius, whom he loves in truth. He prays that Gaius will prosper and fare well, as his soul prospers. Visiting brothers have reported that Gaius lives in truth. Hearing that his children do so gives the writer great joy, as Challoner explains the phrase about having no greater grace.

Gaius has helped the brothers, including strangers. They have told the church about his charity. The writer urges him to help them continue their journey in a way worthy of God. They have gone out for God’s name and accepted nothing from the Gentiles. Challoner explains that they avoided the appearance of preaching for money. Welcoming such people makes their hosts fellow helpers of the truth.

Diotrephes wants to be first and does not receive the writer. The letter says that the writer had written perhaps to the church. If he comes, he will make Diotrephes’s conduct known. Diotrephes speaks maliciously, refuses the brothers, forbids others to receive them, and puts those who do out of the church. Challoner cautiously says that he seems to hold power and that this passage might be a warning to him.

Gaius is told to follow good, not evil. Demetrius has the testimony of everyone, of the truth itself, and of the writer. The writer has more to say but prefers a meeting to pen and ink. He hopes to visit soon, sends peace and his friends’ greetings, and asks Gaius to greet the friends by name.

The story inside

The brothers’ reports make Gaius an example of truth expressed through welcome and help. Diotrephes does the reverse: he refuses the brothers and punishes their hosts. The writer then points to Demetrius’s good testimony and hopes for a personal visit. His planned response to Diotrephes depends on coming.

Lessons worth keeping

1
Helping the traveling brothers makes their hosts fellow helpers of the truth (1:5–8).
2
Diotrephes’s conduct goes beyond refusing help: he forbids other people to welcome the brothers (1:9–10).
3
The writer hopes to visit; the letter does not report that the meeting or confrontation has already happened (1:10, 13–14).

Test your recall

Why does Challoner commend the brothers for accepting nothing from the Gentiles?

Show answer

They avoided the appearance of preaching the Gospel in order to make money (the note on 1:7).

Source edition and notes

Douay–Rheims, revised by Richard Challoner (1749–1752). Project Gutenberg no. 1581. Locators refer to lines in the admitted pg1581.txt edition. Source notes may include Challoner commentary.

Lines 138210–138220
1:1. The Ancient, to the dearly beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth. 1:2. Dearly beloved, concerning all things I make it my prayer that thou mayest proceed prosperously and fare well, as thy soul doth prosperously. 1:3. I was exceedingly glad when the brethren came and gave testimony to the truth in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth. 1:4. I have no greater grace than this, to hear that my children walk in truth.
Lines 138225–138240
1:5. Dearly beloved, thou dost faithfully whatever thou dost for the brethren: and that for strangers, 1:6. Who have given testimony to thy charity in the sight of the church. Whom thou shalt do well to bring forward on their way in a manner worthy of God: 1:7. Because, for his name they went out, taking nothing of the Gentiles. Taking nothing of the Gentiles.... These ministers of the gospel are commended by St. John, who took nothing from the Gentiles, lest they should seem to preach in order to get money by it. 1:8. We therefore ought to receive such: that we may be fellow helpers of the truth.
Lines 138242–138249
1:9. I had written perhaps to the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, doth not receive us. 1:10. For this cause, if I come, I will advertise his works which he doth, with malicious words prating against us. And as if these things were not enough for him, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and them that do receive them he forbiddeth, and casteth out of the church.
Lines 138255–138267
1:11. Dearly beloved, follow not that which is evil: but that which is good. He that doth good is of God: he that doth evil hath not seen God. 1:12. To Demetrius, testimony is given by all, and by the truth itself: yea and we also give testimony. And thou knowest that our testimony is true. 1:13. I had many things to write unto thee: but I would not by ink and pen write to thee. 1:14. But I hope speedily to see thee: and we will speak mouth to mouth. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Salute the friends by name.