Diotrephes: "A Dog In The Manger" ? (3 Jhn.9-10)
- Olusegun Emosu
- 4 days ago
- 8 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
Text: "I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have preeminence among them, does not receive us. 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 Jhn.9-10).
INTRODUCTION:
Diotrephes! Yes, that is one name that may likely sound unfamiliar from the scriptures. He was mentioned just this one time on the pages of the scriptures, where his infamous acts occupied a substantial portion. His conduct and behavior were repulsive to the apostle and the church. Everything he did in the church was completely contrary to the set rules in the church. His overall attitude to the things of God and His people is better encapsulated in the idiomatic expression, "a dog in the manger."
EXPLANATION OF TERMS:
Diotrephes is not a dog. No, we cannot address him as one . Neither was he born in a manger. The literal interpretation of this idiomatic expression, "a dog in the manger", is a person who is intentionally standing in the way of others from achieving what would be of benefit to them. And by extension, since he has nothing to lose, he positions himself as a barrier and an obstacle in their way. "A dog in the manger" does everything possible against a team or an individual, not to have what would be of value to them simply because he derives no gain from it or that he is not interested in that particular course, himself. A character so described, then, is someone that has nothing to lose at the loss or failure of others. He relishes in the eventual pain and confusion. Essentially, the loss and pains that emanate from the stakes make no difference to him. The presence of such a character in any particular situation, within a group, portends nothing but obstruction, frustration, and division.
The likes of Diotrephes in our contemporary times are ubiquitous in all departments in whatever organizations they are found. Their unwanted and unappreciated presence is in multiples and palpable in their social milieu, in a negative sense. Whatever energy in them is used to fuel negativity into the team. The little strength and influence they have are geared towards a total break down of standard operating rules and procedures. This is so because they are always simply in love with disorder. His (Diotrephes) matter was a major concern for John, that he, (John), had to call the attention of elder Gaius to it, in this letter. This he did pending when he himself, (John), would be in their midst to address it personally.
HIS OVERBEARING ATTITUDES IN HIS LOCAL CHURCH:
Diotrephes held an overwhelmingly negative impacts in his local assembly, that if not properly checked, and on time too, could jeopardize the peace and progress in this local assembly. And really, these attitudes were a concern to John to the extent that he highlighted these, in his letter to the elder- Gaius, in this particular local church. In the said letter, while he (John) commended the efforts of Gaius, and Demetrius for obtaining "good testimony from all ", he simultaneously bemoaned and lamented the excesses of Diotrephes in drawing the hand of the clock backwards. For all he cared, the progress of the local church was not his interest. As much as the parishioners were making all efforts to place the church in the right footing, Diotrephes was working in the reverse mode. He was not interested in the betterment of the church and would not allow those who wanted to, have their way.
John highlighted Diotrephes' erratic behavior as follows:
He loved preeminence and was hostile to the apostles. Darkness and light do not stay together, anyway. By this, he had his mouth negatively on important matters that would benefit the church. He was self-opinionated and poked his nose in every issue arising, no matter how irrelevant his views were. John said, in this letter to Gaius, "...prating against us with malicious words." (3 Jhn. 10).
Talkativeness / excessive talking. What a cheap avenue to spread propaganda, wield strange and unusual influence to conspiracies, and sow seed of discord in the assembly of believers. He was obviously loquacious with the gift of oratory to win people to his side. He is the Absalom of the New Testament.
He was malicious and provocative in his unguarded utterances to the apostles. From his mouth and of his likes, unprintable words are not wanting.
In addition, he was repulsive and unfriendly to the brethren. The aura around him was totally abhorrent. This was his core strength- cashing in on existing strained relationships in the fellowship, and ultimately strengthening grounds for exiting devout worshippers from the church, "...he himself does not receive the brethren, and forbids those who wish to, putting them out of the church." ( 3 Jhn. 10).
Diotrepheses In Our World:
The person of Diotrephes is not uncommon in our real world, both in the spiritual and secular contexts. Given all he represented, with no means of stemming these inglorious acts, all hell is let loose in our space. Ours churches would be marred with complete chaos, uproar, and menace. Such acts bring nothing to our larger society but discord, mistrust, lack of coherence and unity of purpose, rancor and bitterness. There would be no respect for the rule of law and even the God-head. Palpable fear and tremor would invade our space while orderliness automatically becomes a mirage.
HANDLING DIOTREPHES' ANOMALIES IN OUR WORLD:
Diotrephes' anomalies are no strange sights in our world. Preempting these type of people and their unwholesome acts in our daily interactions; churches, ministries, organizations, usually at inceptions, have set rules and regulations crafted, and made binding on all members. Compulsory and specific trainings of such drafts and updates (at regular intervals: monthly, quarterly, and on annual bases as the case might be), are incorporated into the fabrics of these institutions, with consequences for violations. Consequences may vary from punitive measures to suspension, and outright excommunication, with room for reinstatement in the event (an) indicted person(s) show penitence.
These (set rules and regulations), over time, become standard operational procedures that must be adhered to. While secular organizations might tag it "Policies and Procedures" , Churches call it Doctrines, and within the frameworks of the policies and procedures, and doctrines, are the aforementioned trainings, in bits and pieces. These doctrines as well as the layers of trainings are taught and imparted to both the new and substantive members on an on-going bases. [ These trainings are given different nomenclatures by different churches, ministries, in a manner that suits their set ups]. The essence of both the spiritual and secular trainings include, but not limited to - be sure we are well behaved by conforming to the organizational hierarchies, rules and regulations, bring out the best in us, foster a better society, and largely a world void of misconducts. And with particular reference to the christian faith, it ultimately is a path to our piety and a determinant of our place in the hereafter, on the long run.
However, in our context, brother Diotrephes seemed to lack whatever it took to prepare him for a role that could foster harmony and unity in the church. He seemed to have charted a course for himself in a way completely contrary to a serene and pious atmosphere expected in a fellowship. He was all out for anything negative and disruptive to the progress and general well - being of the church. He rather chose to trail the path of what Apostle Paul referred to as features of "perilous times" that would accompany the last days. He said, "...in the last days,.....men will be proud, blasphemers, slanderers, without self-control, despisers of good, headstrong, haughty.....having a form of godliness.....and from such people run away!" (2 Tim.3:1, 2-5).
While NOT passing judgement on brother Diotrephes, his conducts were apparently in direct consonance with the verses in 2 Timothy, above. Did the spirit of pride in him not put him at loggerheads with Apostle Paul and his missionary team? Yes, it did. He was apparently in insubordination to their authority. Did he not slander them by the word of his mouth? From the testimony of Paul, he did. And truly, his presence in the church gave his person a "form of godliness." Appearance could be deceptive. Being in the church must not be equated with being in His presence or having the salvation experience.
Brother Diotrephes, if at all he had submitted to the church doctrines and layers of trainings before now, undoubtedly had, at some point backslidden. This is most unfortunate! He at this point, was on the verge of not only renouncing the "faith", he strove to take as many with him. He was, out of desperation, ready to show the few members left in the church, the door. He was on a speed and apostle Paul had better come to save the situation before it is too late! "A dog in the Manger" is let loose. Hopefully, Apostle Paul will be able to salvage his destructive mandate!
SIDEBAR:
The likes of Diotrephes in our contemporary times are ubiquitous in all departments in whatever organizations they are found. Their unwanted and unappreciated presence is in multiples and palpable in their social milieu, in a negative sense.
The person of Diotrephes is not uncommon in our real world, both in the spiritual and secular contexts. Given all he represented, with no means of stemming these inglorious acts, all hell is let loose in our space.
Brother Diotrephes seemed to lack whatever it took to prepare him for a role that could foster harmony and unity in the church.
 He was on a speed and apostle Paul had better come to save the situation before it is too late! "A dog in the Manger" is let loose. Hopefully Apostle Paul will be able to salvage his destructive mandate!
CONCLUSION:
The experience and story of brother Diotrephes are no fictions in our world. It is not uncommon either. And of a truth, we live by this everyday. For reasons best known to him, he put up these alleged actions in the midst of fellow believers in his local assembly. His matter called for urgent action and Paul did not hesitate to call the attention of Gaius to it, in a timely fashion. Paul communicating Gaius ahead of his proposed visit to the church, on this matter was a right step in the right directions, to call Diotrephes to order, and also to be sure the virus did not spread to the rest of the fold.
Necessity is laid on us to be our brother's keepers, and keep ourselves in prayers simultaneously, watch and pray not to be used of the devil as the black sheep in whatever gathering we find ourselves. The book of 1 Peter 5:8 implores us, to, "be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." We must as a matter of vigilance not let down our guards. The race ahead of us is important and we cannot afford to fall by the way. May the LORD deliver our world from the spirit of "A Dog In The Manger." Amen !
PRAYER OF SALVATION:
Peradventure you want to accept the LORD as your Savior, you may please pray thus: LORD JESUS, I repent, confess, and forsake my sins and surrender my life to You. From this day, I accept You as my LORD and Saviour. Wash me clean with Your blood and accept me as Your child. Amen!
NOTE: Please, be my guest at my autobiography book launch in about 17 days from now, Saturday September 13th, 2025, 2pm, EST. Details in the attached invite.
PRAYERS:
LORD, help me to NOT be a stumbling block, (by my conducts and attitudes), to advancement of the kingdom.
LORD, help me to NOT take undue advantage of brethren in the fellowship.
LORD, help me to NOT cause divisions, disruptions, and confusion in the church.
LORD, let me NOT be the reason for brethren to go back to the world.
I refuse to be a dog in the manger.