3 John 1:11

Diotrephes and Demetrius · 3 John 1:9–12
Read 3 John 1

Translations

Modern
Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God.
Traditional
Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.
Literal
Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one doing good is of God; the one doing evil has not seen God.
Latin
Carissime, noli imitari malum, sed quod bonum est. Qui benefacit, ex Deo est: qui malefacit, non vidit Deum.

Original

Greek
English
Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God.

Notes

the one who does evil: John condemns Diotrephes for not living by the Christian rule of love (1 John 3:10–14). This was how Gaius could be sure that Diotrephes was not living according to the truth. This applies to all who refuse to accept the apostolic teaching about Jesus Christ and refuse to live in fellowship with others who do.

In these verses, John condemns Diotrephes and presents Demetrius as the model of a faithful Christian who lives according to the truth. John encourages Gaius to follow the example of Demetrius.

Theme notes and profiles

Early Christian Heresies Knowing God

Topics

Acting Being a Blessing to Others Being Unequally Yoked Celebrating Halloween Commandments: Other Apostles: Precepts of, Explicitly Stated or Implied in Didactic Epistles Evil Thoughts Example: Bad, Admonitions Against Righteousness: Fruits of