3 John 1:12

3 John 1:12 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true.
• New International Version (NIV)Demetrius is well spoken of by everyone—and even by the truth itself. We also speak well of him, and you know that our testimony is true.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself. We also add our testimony, and you know that our testimony is true.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Demetrius has a good testimony from all, and from the truth itself. And we also bear witness, and you know that our testimony is true.

Context of 3 John 1:12

10For this reason, if I come, I will call attention to what he is doing, unjustly accusing us with wicked words and unjustified charges. And not satisfied with this, he refuses to receive the [missionary] brothers himself, and also forbids those who want to [welcome them] and puts them out of the church. 11Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but [imitate] what is good. The one who practices good [exhibiting godly character, moral courage and personal integrity] is of God; the one who practices [or permits or tolerates] evil has not seen God [he has no personal experience with Him and does not know Him at all]. Demetrius has received a good testimony and commendation from everyone—and from the truth [the standard of God’s word] itself; and we add our testimony and speak well of him, and you know that our testimony is true. 13I had many things [to say when I began] to write to you, but I prefer not to put it down with pen (reed) and black (ink); 14but I hope to see you soon, and we will speak face to face.

3 John 1:12 word by word

Δημητρίῳ μεμαρτύρηται ὑπὸ πάντων καὶ ὑπὸ αὐτῆς τῆς ἀληθείας· καὶ ἡμεῖς δὲ μαρτυροῦμεν, καὶ οἶδας ὅτι ἡ μαρτυρία ἡμῶν ἀληθής ἐστιν.¶Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• DemetriusΔημήτριοςDēmētrios · DemetriusG1216
• hath good reportμαρτυρέωmartureō · to testifyG3140
• ofὑπόhupo · by/under: byG5259
• allπᾶςpas · allG3956
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• the truthὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• the truthἀλήθειαalētheia · truthG225
• itselfαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• yeaδέde · thenG1161
• weἐγώegō · I/weG1473
• ye knowεἴδωeidō · to perceive: understandG1492
• thatὅτιhoti · that/since: thatG3754
• recordμαρτυρίαmarturia · testimonyG3141
• isεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• trueἀληθήςalēthēs · trueG227

Cross-references for 3 John 1:12

• Acts 10:22They said, “Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man well spoken of by all the Jewish people, was divinely instructed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and hear what you have to say.”
• Acts 22:12“And one Ananias, a devout man according to the standard of the Law, and well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there,
• 1 Thessalonians 4:12so that you will behave properly toward outsiders [exhibiting good character, personal integrity, and moral courage worthy of the respect of the outside world], and be dependent on no one and in need of nothing [be self-supporting].
• 1 Timothy 3:7And he must have a good reputation and be well thought of by those outside the church, so that he will not be discredited and fall into the devil’s trap.
• John 19:35And he (John, the eyewitness) who has seen it has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you also [who read this] may believe.
• John 21:24This is the same disciple who is testifying to these things and has recorded them; and we know [without any doubt] that his testimony is true.

Commentaries on 3 John 1:12

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 12Demetrius hath good report - Perhaps another member of the Church where Caius was; or he might have been one of those whom the apostle recommends to Caius; or, possibly, the bearer of this letter from John to Caius. He seems to have been an excellent person: all testified of his righteousness; the truth - Christianity, itself bore testimony to him; and the apostles themselves added theirs also.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 12Demetrius hath good report of all men - Little is known of Demetrius. Lucke supposes that he resided near the place where the author of this Epistle lived, and was connected with the church there, and was probably the bearer of this Epistle. It is impossible to determine with certainty on this point, but there is one circumstance which seems to make it probable that he was a member of the same church with Gaius, and had united with him in showing…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 9-12Verses 9-12 Both the heart and mouth must be watched. The temper and spirit of Diotrephes was full of pride and ambition. It is bad not to do good ourselves; but it is worse to hinder those who would do good. Those cautions and counsels are most likely to be accepted, which are seasoned with love. Follow that which is good, for he that doeth good, as delighting therein, is born of God. Evil-workers vainly pretend or boast acquaintance with God. Let us not…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 12Demetrius was the opposite of Diotrephes. Demetrius was a clear example of a person who knows the truth and lives according to it (1:3). His name appears at the end of the letter. This suggests that he was the person who carried John’s letter to Gaius (compare Colossians 4:7–9; 1 Peter 5:12). you know that our testimony is true: John wanted to protect his honor as a trustworthy elder for these churches. He did not want Diotrephes or other false teachers…Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1212. of all men--who have had opportunity of knowing his character. of the truth itself--The Gospel standard of truth bears witness to him that he walks conformably to it, in acts of real love, hospitality to the brethren (in contrast to Diotrephes), &c. Compare Joh 3:21 "He that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest that they are wrought in God." we also--besides the testimony of "all men," and "of the truth itself." ye…Read the comment

Topics related to 3 John 1:12

• Demetrius

In the dictionaries

• Demetrius
• Demetrius (2)
• testimony, testify, witness, eyewitness, evidence

Commentaries on 3 John 1

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings