3 John 9-11
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
9 I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to dominate,[a] does not acknowledge us. 10 Therefore, if I come,[b] I will draw attention to what he is doing, spreading evil nonsense about us. And not content with that, he will not receive the brothers, hindering those who wish to do so and expelling them from the church.
11 Beloved, do not imitate evil[c] but imitate good. Whoever does what is good is of God; whoever does what is evil has never seen God.(A)
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- 9 Who loves to dominate: the Presbyter does not deny Diotrephes’ place as leader but indicates that his ambition may have caused him to disregard his letter and his influence.
- 10 If I come: the Presbyter may visit the community to challenge the actions of Diotrephes toward himself and the missionaries. Will not receive the brothers: Diotrephes may have been critical of the teachings of the Presbyter and sought to maintain doctrinal purity; cf. 1 Jn 2:19 and 2 Jn 10–11.
- 11 Do not imitate evil: Gaius should not be influenced by the behavior of Diotrephes.
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