Bible Dictionary
Diotrephes
Diotrephes was a man in a Christian congregation who loved prominence, resisted John’s authority, spoke maliciously, and rejected Christian hospitality. John rebuked his conduct and warned against imitating his evil.
Definition
Diotrephes was a man in a Christian congregation who sought prominence and resisted the authority of John. He is mentioned only in the Third Epistle of John.
Biblical Usage
Diotrephes spoke maliciously against John and his fellow workers, refused Christian hospitality, and prevented others from showing it. John condemned his conduct and warned against imitating evil.
Historical Background
His desire for preeminence may indicate that he held a position of authority in the church, though the supplied material does not establish this with certainty.
Scripture References
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Jove-nourished, rebuked by John for his pride (3 John 1:9). He was a Judaizer, prating against John and his fellow-labourers “with malicious words” (7).
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(nourished by Jove), a Christian mentioned in (3 John 1:9) but of whom nothing is known.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>di-ot'-re-fez (Diotrephes): A person mentioned in 3Joh 1:9,10 as contentiously resisting the writer's authority and forbidding others from exercising the Christian hospitality which he himself refused to show.</p><p>The words "who loveth to have the preeminence, among them" may indicate that he was a church official, abusing his position, chief stars in the constellation of the Twins. Some 4,000 years BC they served as pointers to mark the beginning of the new year by setting together with the first new moon of springtime. The constellation of the Twins was supposed to be especially favorable to sailors, hence, ships were often placed under the protection of the twin gods.</p>