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

10Therefore, if I come, I will call attention to the deeds he is doing – the bringing of unjustified charges against us with evil words! And not being content with that, he not only refuses to welcome the brothers himself, but hinders the people who want to do so and throws them out of the church! 11Dear friend, do not imitate what is bad but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does what is bad has not seen God. Demetrius has been testified to by all, even by the truth itself. We also testify to him, and you know that our testimony is true. 13I have many things to write to you, but I do not wish to write to you with pen and ink. 14But I hope to see you right away, 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 the centurion, a righteous and God-fearing man, well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by a holy angel to summon you to his house and to hear a message from you.”
• Acts 22:12A man named Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well spoken of by all the Jews who live there,
• 1 Thessalonians 4:12In this way you will live a decent life before outsiders and not be in need.
• 1 Timothy 3:7And he must be well thought of by those outside the faith, so that he may not fall into disgrace and be caught by the devil’s trap.
• John 19:35And the person who saw it has testified (and his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth), so that you also may believe.
• John 21:24This is the disciple who testifies about these things and has written these things, and we know 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