3 John 1:9 - An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

I wrote a letter to the church [there], but Diotrephes, who loves to be first [in importance] among the members [of the body there], does not receive us [i.e., he did not listen to or acknowledge the authority of us apostles].

More versions

King James Version (Oxford) 1769

I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.

Amplified Bible - Classic Edition

I have written briefly to the church; but Diotrephes, who likes to take the lead among them and put himself first, does not acknowledge my authority and refuses to accept my suggestions or to listen to me.

American Standard Version (1901)

I wrote somewhat unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.

Common English Bible

I wrote something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, doesn’t welcome us.

Catholic Public Domain Version

As it happens, I had written to the church. But Diotrephes, who loves to bear the highest rank among them, would not accept us.

Douay-Rheims version of The Bible - 1752 version

I had written perhaps to the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the pre-eminence among them, doth not receive us.

3 John 1:9 Cross References

Matthew 7:8

For every person who asks will [certainly] receive; and the one who looks will [certainly] find; and to the person who knocks, the door will [certainly] be opened.

Mark 9:34

But they kept quiet for they had been arguing with one another over which one of them was the greatest.

Mark 9:37

“Whoever welcomes one such little child [as this] for my sake, welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me, does not welcome me [only], but [also] the One who sent me.”

Luke 9:48

and said to the disciples, “The person who welcomes this little child in my name [i.e., because he belongs to me], welcomes me [also]. And the person who welcomes me [i.e., into his life (?)] welcomes God, who sent me. For that person who is the least [significant] among you men is the one who is the greatest [in importance].”

Romans 12:10

In your love for your brothers, show tender affection toward one another. Try to outdo one another in showing respect [for each other].

Colossians 1:18

And He is the head of the [spiritual] body, the church. He is [its] source, the firstborn One from the dead [i.e., the first one to return to life, never to die again], so that He could rank first [in importance] over all things.

2 John 1:9

Every person who does not continue to follow the teaching of Christ, but goes beyond it, does not have God [in his life]. [But], the person who continues to follow in the teaching [of Christ] has both the Father and the Son [in his life].

3 John 1:8

Therefore, we should show hospitality to such men, so that we can be fellow-workers [with them] in [the cause of] the truth.