3 John 1 · Verse 11

3 John 1:11

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.
3 John 1:11, King James Version

3 John 1:11 in other translations

BSBBeloved, 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.
WEBBeloved, don’t imitate that which is evil, but that which is good. He who does good is of God. He who does evil hasn’t seen God.
ASVBeloved, imitate not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: he that doeth evil hath not seen God.
YLTBeloved, be not thou following that which is evil, but that which is good; he who is doing good, of God he is, and he who is doing evil hath not seen God;
DARBYBeloved, 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.
BBEMy loved one, do not be copying what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God: he who does evil has not seen God.
WebsterBeloved, 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.

What does 3 John 1:11 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
11. 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.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 11. Beloved, 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 to excite him to acts of liberal and generous hospitality.

He that doeth good is of God. He shows that he resembles God, for God continually does good. See the sentiment explained 1Jn 3:7.

He that doeth evil hath not seen God. 1Jn 1:8 3Jn 1:9. 3Jn 1:10

(*) "follow" "imitate" (b) "not" Ps 37:27 (c) "He" 1Jn 3:6-9

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 11 Follow not that which is evil - Μμ μιμου το κακον· 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 that God whose Name is mercy, and whose Nature is love.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 3 John 1:9-12

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…

Read the full comment on 3 John 1:9-12 →

3 John 1:11 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

Ἀγαπητέ,AgapēteBeloved,G27
μὴmēnotG3361
μιμοῦmimoudo imitateG3401
τὸtowhat [is]G3588
κακὸνkakonevilG2556
ἀλλὰallabutG235
τὸtowhat [is]G3588
ἀγαθόν.agathongood.G18
ὁhoThe [one]G3588
ἀγαθοποιῶνagathopoiōndoing goodG15
ἐκekofG1537
τοῦtou<the>G3588
θεοῦtheouGodG2316
ἐστιν·estinis;G1510
ὁhothe [one]G3588
κακοποιῶνkakopoiōndoing evilG2554
οὐχouchnotG3756
ἑώρακενhe'ōrakenhas seenG3708
τὸνton<the>G3588
θεόν.theonGod.G2316

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 3 John 1:11

  • Isaiah 1:16-17

    Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.

  • Psalms 37:27

    Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore.

  • Ephesians 5:1

    Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;

  • 1 Peter 3:11

    Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.

  • 1 Peter 3:13

    And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?

  • John 3:20

    For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

  • Psalms 34:14

    Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.

  • 1 John 3:6-9

    Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

  • 2 Timothy 3:10

    But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,

  • 1 John 2:29

    If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.

  • John 12:26

    If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.

  • Exodus 23:2

    Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment:

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Beloved.Beloved, [agapetos ,] is in the vocative singular, and therefore refers to Gaius.
follow.Rather, imitate [mimou.]
Ex 23:2; Ps 37:27; Pr 12:11; Isa 1:16,17; Joh 10:27; 12:26
1Co 4:16; 11:1; Eph 5:1; Php 3:17; 1Th 1:6; 2:14; 2Ti 3:10; *marg:
Heb 6:12; 1Pe 3:13
He that doeth good.
1Pe 3:11; 1Jo 2:29; 3:6-9
he that doeth evil.
Joh 3:20

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 3 John 1:10

    Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.

  • 3 John 1:11

    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.

  • 3 John 1:12

    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.

Read all of 3 John 1

3 John 1:11 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Amado, no sigas lo que es malo, sino lo que es bueno. El que hace bien es de Dios: mas el que hace mal, no ha visto á Dios.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Bien-aimé, n’imite pas le mal, mais le bien. Celui qui fait le bien est de Dieu; celui qui fait le mal n’a pas vu Dieu.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Geliebter, ahme nicht das Böse nach, sondern das Gute. Wer Gutes tut, ist aus Gott; wer Böses tut, hat Gott nicht gesehen.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Carissime, noli imitari malum, sed quod bonum est. Qui benefacit, ex Deo est: qui malefacit, non vidit Deum.