To his dear friend Gaius, whom he sincerely loves, From the Officer of the Church.

They themselves have testified before the Church to your love; and you will do well to help them on their way in a manner worthy of the service of God.

I wrote a few lines to the Church; but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, declines to recognize us.

Therefore, when I come, I shall not forget his conduct in ridiculing us with his wicked tongue. Not content with that, he not only declines to recognize our Brothers himself, but actually prevents those who would, and expels them from the Church.