The True Method of Eminence
3 John 1:9-11
I wrote to the church: but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, receives us not.…


Men are not so much mistaken in desiring to advance, as in judging what will be an advance, and what the right method of it. A man proves himself fit to go higher who shows that he is faithful where he is. When workmen are building the foundation of vast structures they must needs labour far below the surface, and in disagreeable conditions. But every course of stone which they lay raises them higher, and, at length, when they reach the surface, they have laid such solid work under them that they need not fear now to carry up their walls, through towering storeys, till they overlook the whole neighbourhood. A man that will not do well in his present place because he longs to be higher is already too high, and should be put lower.



Parallel Verses
KJV: I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.

WEB: I wrote to the assembly, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, doesn't accept what we say.




Love of Pre-Eminence
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