Case File: Diotrephes

Kingdom Archives // Covenant Records Archive Node 14-DI · Sheet 1 of 1

KINGDOM
ARCHIVES
DIVISION

Covenant Records Office
Asia District

ARCHIVE NODE 14-DI / APOSTOLIC RECORDS

Subject Erac. AD 90

From the Desk OfTHE CHIEF ARCHIVIST
[ OFFICE OF COVENANT RECORDS ]

Case FileJHN-0003-D

ClearanceCOVENANT X

COVENANT CLASSIFIEDSEALED UNDER OATH

DECLASSIFIED

Name	DIOTREPHES
Aliases	WHO LOVED TO BE FIRST
Status	LIVING (AT LAST RECORD) / A DIVISIVE MAN

Birth	1st Century AD	Marks & Identifiers	NONE RECORDED
Place of Birth	ASIA MINOR	Hair	DARK
Tribe	GENTILE PROFESSOR	Eyes	DARK
Parentage	UNRECORDED	People	GENTILE / PROFESSING CHRISTIAN
Occupation	SELF-EXALTING CHURCH LEADER	Species	HUMAN
Affiliation	A LOCAL CHURCH	Calling	A MAN WHO GRASPED PREEMINENCE
Primary Mission	SEEK THE FIRST PLACE FOR HIMSELF	Known Signs	THE REJECTED LETTER / THE BRETHREN CAST OUT
Covenant Role	WARNING OF PRIDE IN THE CHURCH	Divine Access	NONE / RESISTED APOSTOLIC AUTHORITY

// Field Assessment

Divine Encounter Level	NONE RECORDED	Classification	LEADER / SELF-EXALTER
Covenant Status	WALKED IN PRIDE	Known Miracles	NONE RECORDED
Divine Commission	REJECTED THE APOSTLE'S WORD	Threat Assessment	DIVISION / EXPULSION OF THE FAITHFUL
Mission Status	OPPOSED THE TRUTH	Archive Category	PRIDE / DIVISION

// Administrative Notes

What he loved above all: TO PUT HIMSELF FIRST AMONG THEM

What he did to those who received the brethren: HE PUT THEM OUT OF THE CHURCH

Remarks:

The subject was a man within a local church to which the apostle John wrote. Though a professing believer and a figure of influence, his heart was set on his own preeminence.

John recorded that the subject loved to put himself first and would not acknowledge the apostle's authority. When John had written to the church, the subject did not receive what was written.

Not content with rejecting the apostle's word, he spoke against John with wicked words, sowing suspicion and pride where there should have been fellowship.

He refused to welcome the traveling brethren who carried the gospel, and he stopped those who wished to, even putting them out of the church for their hospitality.

The subject stands as a warning of a peril within the household of faith: not open heresy, but the love of first place, which resists correction, wounds fellowship, and drives out the faithful. John promised to deal with his deeds when he came.

Primary Sources:

3 JOHN 9-10

Secondary References:

3 JOHN 9-10

COVENANT
EYES ONLYRestricted // Sacred Record

// Lessons Learned

The love of first place is a poison within the church.
Pride resists correction and drives out the faithful.
True leaders welcome the brethren; they do not lord it over them.

Kingdom Archives // Covenant Records

Authorized Scriptural Record

Ephesus Archival Office // Collection: Apostolic