1003 B

Raw Blame History

General Information:

The word "us" refers to John and those with him and does not include Gaius. (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive)

congregation

This refers to Gaius and the group of believers who met together to worship God.

Diotrephes

He was a member of the congregation. (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names)

who loves to be first among them

"who loves to be the most important one among them" or "who loves to act as though he's their leader"

how he says ridiculous things against us with evil words

"and how he says evil things about us that certainly are not true"

he himself

The word "himself" emphasizes that it is Diotrephes who does these things. (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rpronouns)

does not receive the brothers

"does not welcome the fellow believers"

forbids those who desire to do so

"stops those who want to welcome the believers"

drives them out of the congregation

"he forces them to leave the congregation"