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

10So, when I arrive there myself, I will speak to the believers about this. I will tell them clearly about the bad things that Diotrephes is doing. He tells other people bad things about us that are not true. Even that is not enough for him. He himself refuses to welcome the believers who are visiting. He also stops anyone else who wants to welcome those visitors. Instead, he sends them away from the group of believers. 11My friend, do not copy what bad people do. Instead, you should copy the good things that people do. The person who does good things shows that he belongs to God. But anyone who does bad things does not know God. All the believers say that Demetrius is a good person. He obeys God's true message. That also shows clearly that he is a good person. We also say the same thing about him. You know very well that what we say about him is true. 13I would like to tell you many more things. But I do not want to write them in a letter. 14Instead, I hope to come and visit you soon. Then I can see you and we can talk together.

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 10:22The men answered him, ‘The Roman officer who is called Cornelius has sent us to you. He is a good man and he obeys God's Law. All the Jewish people respect him. An angel from God told him to send us to you with a message. Then we should bring you to Cornelius's house so that he could hear what you have to say.’
• Acts 22:12In Damascus, there was a man called Ananias. He worshipped God and he obeyed our Law. All the Jews in Damascus said good things about him.
• 1 Thessalonians 4:12If you live in this way, other people who are not believers will respect you. Also, you will not have to ask anyone else to give you the things that you need.
• 1 Timothy 3:7Also, people outside the church should agree that the leader is a good person. Then nobody can say anything bad against him. And so, he will not come under the Devil's power.
• John 19:35The man who saw these things has spoken about them. What he says is true. He knows that it really happened. He is telling you the truth so that you can believe.
• John 21:24I am the disciple who saw these things. I am the one who wrote them down. We all know that what I have written about them 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