📖WEB · 3 John 1:11
What does 3 John 1:11 mean?
"Beloved, 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."
— 3 John 1:11 (World English Bible)
Surrounding context
We therefore ought to receive such, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.
I wrote to the assembly, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, doesn’t accept what we say.
Therefore if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words. Not content with this, neither does he himself receive the brothers, and those who would, he forbids and throws out of the assembly.
Beloved, 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.
Demetrius has the testimony of all, and of the truth itself; yes, we also testify, and you know that our testimony is true.
I had many things to write to you, but I am unwilling to write to you with ink and pen;
but I hope to see you soon, and we will speak face to face. Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.
Explanation
3 John 1:11 comes near the end of a very short, personal letter written by the apostle John—identified simply as "the elder"—to a beloved friend named Gaius. It is one of the shortest books in the Bible, and unlike John's other writings, it deals with a specific, concrete situation in a local church rather than broad theological themes. In this verse, John is urging Gaius directly: do not imitate evil, but imitate good. He then gives the reasoning behind this command—the person who does good demonstrates that they belong to God, while the person who does evil shows that they have not truly known or seen God.
The context leading up to this verse is important. Earlier in the letter, John commends Gaius for his faithfulness and hospitality toward traveling teachers and missionaries who came through his community. But John also names a man called Diotrephes, who "loves to be first," refuses to acknowledge John's authority, spreads malicious gossip, and even goes so far as to refuse hospitality to fellow believers and expel from the church those who do welcome them. John contrasts this behavior with that of another man, Demetrius, who has a good reputation and is spoken well of by everyone. So when John tells Gaius not to imitate evil but good, he has these two examples fresh in mind—Diotrephes as an example of evil behavior to avoid, and Demetrius as an example of good behavior to follow.
Theologically, this verse makes a striking and searching claim: our actions reveal something real about our relationship with God. John isn't suggesting that good works earn salvation: rather, he's pointing
Compare translations
Go deeper with ScriptureCompanion AI
Ask questions about any verse, follow reading plans, write personal prayers, and track your daily habit — all grounded in verified scripture text.