New King James Version
3 John 1:12
12Demetrius has a good testimony from all, and from the truth itself. And we also bear witness, and you know that our testimony is true.
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 Living Translation (NLT)Everyone speaks highly of Demetrius, as does the truth itself. We ourselves can say the same for him, and you know we speak the truth.
Context of 3 John 1:12
10Therefore, if I come, I will call to mind his deeds which he does, prating against us with malicious words. And not content with that, he himself does not receive the brethren, and forbids those who wish to, putting them out of the church. 11Beloved, 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. 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. 13I had many things to write, but I do not wish to write to you with pen and ink; 14but I hope to see you shortly, and we shall speak face to face. Peace to you. Our friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.
Read all of 3 John 13 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 10:22And they said, “Cornelius the centurion, a just man, one who fears God and has a good reputation among all the nation of the Jews, was divinely instructed by a holy angel to summon you to his house, and to hear words from you.”
- Acts 22:12“Then a certain Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good testimony with all the Jews who dwelt there,
- 1 Thessalonians 4:12that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.
- 1 Timothy 3:7Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
- John 19:35And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you may believe.
- John 21:24This is the disciple who testifies of these things, and wrote 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
In the dictionaries
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
New King James Version — © 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc
Commentaries