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본문의 중심내용

요한은 악한 행실을 본받지 말고 선한 길을 따르라고 권하며 두 사람을 언급합니다. 환대해야 할 이들을 박대했던 디오드레베와 선을 행한 데메드리오입니다.

[ 요한3서 1:9 - 1:15 ] (찬송516장)

디오드레베를 책망함 

9내가 두어 자를 교회에 썼으나 그들 중에 으뜸되기를 좋아하는 디오드레베가 우리를 맞아들이지 아니하니 10그러므로 내가 가면 그 행한 일을 잊지 아니하리라 그가 악한 말로 우리를 비방하고도 오히려 부족하여 형제들을 맞아들이지도 아니하고 맞아들이고자 하는 자를 금하여 교회에서 내쫓는도다

 데메드리오를 추천함 

 11사랑하는 자여 악한 것을 본받지 말고 선한 것을 본받으라 선을 행하는 자는 하나님께 속하고 악을 행하는 자는 하나님을 뵈옵지 못하였느니라 12데메드리오는 뭇 사람에게도, 진리에게서도 증거를 받았으매 우리도 증언하노니 너는 우리의 증언이 참된 줄을 아느니라

 장로의 방문계획 

 13내가 네게 쓸 것이 많으나 먹과 붓으로 쓰기를 원하지 아니하고 14속히 보기를 바라노니 또한 우리가 대면하여 말하리라

 문안 인사 

 15평강이 네게 있을지어다 여러 친구가 네게 문안하느니라 너는 친구들의 이름을 들어 문안하라

[ 3 John 1:9 - 1:15 ]

9I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority.10 So if I come, I will bring up what he is doing, talking wicked nonsense against us. And not content with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers, and also stops those who want to and puts them out of the church.11 Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God.12 Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself. We also add our testimony, and you know that our testimony is true.13 I had much to write to you, but I would rather not write with pen and ink.14 I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face.15 Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends, each by name. 

Who is God like?

Thinking & Understanding

The elder told Gaius not to align himself with the tyranny of the arrogant and wicked Diotrephes. The elder planned to visit the church and rebuke Diotrephes for his wrongdoings (vv. 9,10). The elder encouraged Gaius to imitate Demetrius, who was a person of God, by continuing the good work of welcoming and warmly sending away travelling missionaries. Although Diotrephes would make this work difficult, it was a work worthy of praise, the way of life demanded by the truth and a work approved by the elder. Finally, the elder prayed for peace and expressed his hope that he would soon be united with the believers (vv. 11-15). 

What lesson is God teaching me?

Vv. 9-10 Coveting a high seat can lead to a corrupt heart and a wicked way of life. Diotrephes slandered the leaders and banished fellow believers because of his desire to become the head of the church. Are you guilty of trying to bring others down to raise yourself up? In order to become a true leader, we need to become a servant to others (Matt. 20:27). By doing so, our hearts and lives will be made clean. 

Vv. 11-12 We must wisely decide whose example we want to follow. No matter how difficult it may be to act against a wicked person in a position of power, we mustn’t follow their ways. Let’s align ourselves with those who do good in accordance with God’s will even if they are weak and small in number. Who will you choose between the powerful and the good? 

Prayer

Lord, help us to thoughtfully consider who we are following and imitate only good examples.