3 John 1:11
What does 3 John 1:11 mean?
A plain-English look at 3 John 1:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 3 John 1:11 means
John exhorts Gaius not to imitate evil but good, grounding the appeal in spiritual reality: those who practice good show they are “of God,” while those who persist in evil show they have “not seen God.” He is not teaching salvation by works, but the evidential nature of deeds. The warning implicitly addresses Diotrephes’s behavior, urging Gaius to resist its influence. Imitation is powerful; Christians learn by examples. Therefore, fix your pattern on what reflects God’s character. The verse balances doctrine and ethics: knowing God produces goodness, and persistent evil betrays a lack of true knowledge of Him, regardless of position or claims.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Beloved, 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Beloved, 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Beloved, 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949My 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.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Beloved, 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;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Dearly beloved, follow not that which is evil: but that which is good. He that doth good is of God: he that doth evil hath not seen God.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He that does good is ofGod. He that does evil has not seenGod.
Context
After exposing Diotrephes’s abuses (v. 10), John steps back to give a general principle for discernment and conduct (v. 11). This provides a lens through which to evaluate leaders and ourselves—by the fruit of deeds. It also transitions naturally to a positive model. The next verse introduces Demetrius as a trustworthy example with strong testimony (v. 12). Thus, the flow moves from warning to wise imitation, from negative patterns to commendable ones, guiding the church toward health.
v.10Therefore, if I come, I will bring to remembrance his works which he doeth, prating against us with wicked words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and them that would he forbiddeth and casteth them out of the church.
v.11This passage
v.12Demetrius hath the witness of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, we also bear witness; and thou knowest that our witness is true.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Ephesians 5:1
Be ye therefore imitators of God, as beloved children;
- 1 Thessalonians 2:14
For ye, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judæa in Christ Jesus: for ye also suffered the same things of your own countrymen, even as they did of the Jews;
- Exodus 23:2
Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to turn aside after a multitude to wrest justice:
- Psalms 37:27
Depart from evil, and do good; And dwell for evermore.
- John 10:27
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
- 1 Thessalonians 1:6
And ye became imitators of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit;
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