Lovers of Preeminence

"And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence." (Colossians 1: 18 KJV)

The Greek word for preeminence is prōteuō and means "to be first, hold the first place."

"I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not." (III John 1: 9 KJV)

The Greek word for preeminence is philoprōteuō and means "to aspire to pre-eminence, to desire to be first."

In this verse, the Greek word used by John, in regard to the heretic Diotrephes, is a compound word, having "philos" attached to it, while the word used by Paul, in regard to Christ, lacks it.

Unlike Diotrephes, the Lord Jesus Christ did not aspire to or covet "preemininence." Paul stated this so clearly elsewhere, writing:

"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped (or aspired to), but made himself nothing (or "of no reputation" KJV), taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness." (Philippians 2: 5-7 NIV)

Unlike Diotrephes, the Lord Jesus Christ actually had the preeminence. Diotrephes was only a pretender to it.

Diotrephes wanted to be a "big shot" among the Christian community. He wanted "a name that is above every name," yet this belongs only to Christ. (verse 9) He wanted men to "bow" to him, but this honor also belongs to Christ. (verse 10)

Diotrephes was cocksure and proud, but Jesus was "meek and lowly in heart." (Matthew 11: 29 KJV)

"Lift not up your horn on high: speak not with a stiff neck. For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another." (Psalm 75: 5-7 KJV)

"And Samuel said unto the people, It is the LORD that advanced Moses and Aaron..." (I Samuel 12: 6 KJV)

Those who aspire to preeminence are lovers of themselves, first and foremost, and not lovers of Christ.

Even the apostles managed to get into the "spirit" and "mindset" of men like Diotrephes, Korah, (See Numbers 16 and Jude 1: 11), and Simon Magus (See Acts 8: 9-24)

"Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest. And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him, And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great." (Luke 9: 46-48 KJV)

Father, in Jesus name, save us from ourselves! From our false pride and ambition! Keep us humble and give us the "attitude" of the Lord Jesus, and not of Diotrephes.