Darby Bible
3 John 1:11
11Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He that does good is of 1God. He that does evil has not seen 2God.
3 John 1:11 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)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.
- New International Version (NIV)Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God.
Context of 3 John 1:11
9I wrote something to the assembly; but Diotrephes, who loves to have the first place among them, receives us not. 10For this reason, if I come, I will bring to remembrance his works which he does, babbling against us with wicked words; and not content with these, neither does he himself receive the brethren; and those who would he prevents, and casts [them] out of the assembly. Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He that does good is of God. He that does evil has not seen God. 12Demetrius has witness borne to him by all, and by the truth itself; and we also bear witness, and thou knowest that our witness is true. 13I had many things to write to thee, but I will not with ink and pen write to thee;
Read all of 3 John 13 John 1:11 word by word
Ἀγαπητέ, μὴ μιμοῦ τὸ κακὸν ἀλλὰ τὸ ἀγαθόν. ὁ ἀγαθοποιῶν ἐκ τοῦ θεοῦ ἐστιν· ὁ κακοποιῶν οὐχ ἑώρακεν τὸν θεόν.Read the interlinear
Cross-references for 3 John 1:11
- Exodus 23:2Thou shalt not follow the multitude for evil; neither shalt thou answer in a cause, to go after the multitude to pervert [judgment].
- Psalms 37:27Depart from evil, and do good, and dwell for evermore;
- Proverbs 12:11He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread; but he that followeth the worthless is void of understanding.
- Isaiah 1:16Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; — cease to do evil,
- John 10:27My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me;
- John 12:26If any one serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there also shall be my servant. [And] if any one serve me, him shall the Father honour.
- 1 Corinthians 4:16I entreat you therefore, be my imitators.
- 1 Corinthians 11:1Be my imitators, even as I also [am] of Christ.
- Ephesians 5:1Be ye therefore imitators of God, as beloved children,
- Philippians 3:17Be imitators [all] together of me, brethren, and fix your eyes on those walking thus as you have us for a model;
- 1 Thessalonians 1:6and ye became our imitators, and of the Lord, having accepted the word in much tribulation with joy of [the] Holy Spirit,
- 1 Thessalonians 2:14For ye, brethren, have become imitators of the assemblies of God which are in Judaea in Christ Jesus; for ye also have suffered the same things of your own countrymen as also they of the Jews,
- 2 Timothy 3:10But thou hast been thoroughly acquainted with my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, endurance,
- Hebrews 6:12that ye be not sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience have been inheritors of the promises.
- 1 Peter 3:13And who shall injure you if ye have become imitators of that which [is] good?
- 1 Peter 3:11And let him avoid evil, and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it;
Commentaries on 3 John 1:11
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 11Follow not that which is evil - · Do not imitate that wicked man, i.e., the conduct of Diotrephes; be merciful, loving, and kind. For whatever profession any man may make, it will ever appear that he who doeth good is of God - he alone is the person who uses rightly the grace received from God, and he alone shall enjoy the Divine approbation; While he that doeth evil - He who is unfeeling, unmerciful, unkind, hath not seen God - has no proper knowledge of…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 11Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good - There can be no doubt that in this exhortation the writer had Diotrephes particularly in his eye, and that he means to exhort Gaius not to imitate his example. He was a man of influence in the church, and though Gaius had shown that he was disposed to act in an independent manner, yet it was not improper to exhort him not to be influenced by the example of any one who did wrong. John wished…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. 11the 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.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1111. follow not that which is evil--as manifested in Diotrephes (3Jo 9, 10). but ... good--as manifested in Demetrius (3Jo 12). is of God--is born of God, who is good. hath not seen God--spiritually, not literally.Read the comment
Topics related to 3 John 1:11
In the dictionaries
Notes
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
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