3 John 1:10

So if I come, I will call attention to his malicious slander against us. And unsatisfied with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers and forbids those who want to do so, even putting them out of the church.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — John addresses a church leader in response to Diotrephes rejecting prior correspondence and asserting dominance over the local congregation. He frames this warning immediately before his planned physical visit to the community.

The words — ὑπομνὴσω (hupomnēsō) means I will bring to remembrance, and ἔργα (erga) translates to works. These terms ground John’s upcoming confrontation in a direct accounting of Diotrephes’ specific actions.

The thread — The theme of unjust exclusion for religious reasons appears in Isaiah 66:5, where brothers hate and exclude others because of God’s name. The contrast between receiving instruction and facing ruin through foolish speech runs through Proverbs 10:8 and Proverbs 10:10.

Why it lands — The text states that John will publicly address Diotrephes’ slander, refusal to host traveling missionaries, and expulsion of those who comply. It demands that readers distinguish between authoritarian rejection and communal hospitality, aligning conduct with the principle that doing good identifies one as belonging to God.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.

Cross-references

Isaiah 66:5 You who tremble at His word, hear the word of the LORD: “Your brothers who hate you and exclude you because of My name have said, ‘Let the LORD be glorified that we may see your joy!’ But they will be put to shame.”
Proverbs 10:8 A wise heart will receive commandments, but foolish lips will come to ruin.
Proverbs 10:10 He who winks the eye causes grief, and foolish lips will come to ruin.
Luke 6:22 Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil because of the Son of Man.
2 Corinthians 13:2 I already warned you the second time I was with you. So now in my absence I warn those who sinned earlier and everyone else: If I return, I will not spare anyone,
John 9:22 His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews. For the Jews had already determined that anyone who confessed Jesus as the Christ would be put out of the synagogue.
John 9:34 They replied, “You were born in utter sin, and you are instructing us?” And they threw him out.
1 Corinthians 5:1 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is intolerable even among pagans: A man has his father’s wife.
2 Corinthians 10:1 Now by the mildness and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am humble when face to face with you, but bold when away.
3 John 1:5 Beloved, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers, and especially since they are strangers to you.