1.1 KiB
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 act like their leader"
does not receive us
The word "us" refers to John and those with him. It does not include Gaius. (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive)
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"
and forbids those who desire to
There are some words in this phrase that are left out, but they are understood. Alternate translation: "and he stops those who want to welcome the believers." (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis)
and drives them out
"and he forces them out." The word "them" refers to those who want to welcome the fellow believers.