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 if I do come, I will call attention to what he is doing—slandering us with wicked words. Not even content with that, he refuses to welcome the brethren, and even forbids those who want to do so— throwing them out of the community! 11Loved ones, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God. Demetrius has a good testimony from everyone, even from the truth itself. We also vouch for him—and you know that our testimony is true. 13I have much to write you, but I don’t want to write to you with ink and pen. 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 10:22And they said, “Cornelius, a centurion, a righteous and God-fearing man well-spoken of by all the Jewish people, was directed by a holy angel to summon you to his house and to hear a message from you.”
• Acts 22:12Then a certain Ananias—a devout man according to the Torah, well spoken of by all the Jewish people living there—
• 1 Thessalonians 4:12so you may behave properly toward outsiders and not have need of anything.
• 1 Timothy 3:7Furthermore, he must have a good reputation with those outside, so that he will not fall into disgrace and the devil’s trap.
• John 19:35He who has seen it has testified, and his testimony is true. He knows that he is telling the truth, so that you also may believe.
• John 21:24This is the disciple who is an eyewitness of these things and wrote these things. 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