READ: 3 John 9–15: “… loves to have the preeminence among them …”
Now the actual congregation comes into view for which John wrote this letter, likely one in Asia over which Diotrephes exercises much influence. This man apparently has no regard for John, but acts independently.
John has even written a letter to the congregation in which he instructs them not to receive the traveling brothers. He therefore plans to come to the congregation himself. He seeks to expose the works of this false shepherd before the congregation.
This whole congregation is now in danger. The congregation seems to be walking in two directions. John’s good intention comes too late. Diotrephes has already succeeded in dividing the congregation. Diotrephes and the brothers who agree with him continue as a congregation without the deposed brothers. He shuts the door to them, and if they wish to remain faithful to the congregation, he casts them out as schismatics.
He is a false shepherd who, like the ungodly shepherds described by the prophet Ezekiel, thinks only of himself (Ezek. 34). Therefore John warns also the apostle Peter (1 Pet. 5:2,3). In verse 11 John gives a stern warning: do not imitate evil. Evil may indeed sometimes appear religious. That worked schemingly. Whoever behaves wickedly, “has not seen God.” But evil may not be confused with what is judged good (Rom. 12:17; Thess. 5:15,22).
The “evil” in verse 11 is more than merely acting improperly, exercising abuse of power, and sowing division. Such conduct also has a spiritual root in what is present in the person’s heart. We are born evil.
What follows immediately afterward allows us to understand God better. By contrast it says of good: “He who does good is of God.” Goodness is a fruit of the Spirit, proceeding from God, a reflection of God in Christ. In good works only God can be seen in a true way (see also John 10:20; Gal. 2:11). But without exercising discernment there is no brotherly love.
John also rightly opposes this evil and its consequences. John’s final wish in the letter is to come to them soon in order to speak with them face to face in peace.
Which “division” is of God and which is not?
Singing: Ps. 34:5