3 John 1:11

Beloved, 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.

Study Bible

Beloved
The term "beloved" is a common address in the New Testament, often used by the Apostle John to express deep affection and spiritual kinship. It reflects the close relationship between John and the recipients of his letters, emphasizing the love and unity that should characterize the Christian community. This term is also used by other apostles, such as Paul, to convey a sense of familial love among believers (e.g., Romans 12:19, 1 Corinthians 4:14).

Do not imitate what is evil
The exhortation to avoid imitating evil is a recurring theme in Scripture. The concept of imitation is significant in the biblical context, as discipleship often involves emulating the character and actions of Christ and other godly examples (1 Corinthians 11:1). The warning against imitating evil suggests the presence of negative influences within the community, possibly referring to individuals like Diotrephes mentioned earlier in the letter, who were acting contrary to the teachings of Christ.

But what is good
The call to imitate what is good aligns with the biblical emphasis on righteousness and holiness. Goodness is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22) and is often associated with God's nature (Psalm 34:8). The pursuit of goodness involves aligning one's actions with God's will and commands, reflecting His character in daily life. This directive encourages believers to seek out and follow godly examples within their community.

The one who does good is of God
This phrase underscores the connection between righteous actions and one's relationship with God. Doing good is evidence of a transformed life and a genuine relationship with God (Matthew 7:16-20). It reflects the biblical principle that faith without works is dead (James 2:26). The phrase suggests that those who consistently practice goodness demonstrate their divine origin and connection to God.

The one who does evil has not seen God
The assertion that those who do evil have not seen God highlights the incompatibility of sin with a true knowledge of God. In biblical terms, "seeing" God often implies a deep, experiential knowledge of Him (John 1:18, 1 John 3:6). This phrase suggests that persistent evil behavior indicates a lack of genuine relationship with God, as true knowledge of Him results in transformation and a departure from sin. The contrast between good and evil here serves as a test of authentic faith and spiritual insight.

Persons / Places / Events

1. John the Apostle
The author of the letter, one of Jesus' original twelve disciples, known for his close relationship with Christ and his emphasis on love and truth.

2. Gaius
The recipient of the letter, a beloved member of the early Christian community, commended for his faithfulness and hospitality.

3. Diotrephes
Mentioned earlier in the letter as someone who loves to be first and does not acknowledge the authority of John, representing the "evil" that should not be imitated.

4. Demetrius
Another individual mentioned in the letter, who is well spoken of and serves as an example of someone doing good.

5. The Early Church
The broader context in which this letter was written, dealing with issues of leadership, authority, and the behavior of believers.

Teaching Points

Imitation as a Form of Discipleship
As believers, we are called to imitate Christ and those who exemplify His character. This involves a conscious choice to follow good examples and reject evil influences.

Discernment in Leadership
The early church faced challenges with leaders like Diotrephes. We must discern and follow leaders who align with biblical truth and demonstrate godly character.

The Evidence of True Faith
Doing good is evidence of being "of God." Our actions reflect our relationship with God and our understanding of His nature.

The Danger of Spiritual Blindness
Those who do evil have "not seen God," indicating a lack of spiritual insight and relationship with Him. We must seek to know God deeply to avoid spiritual blindness.

Community and Accountability
The Christian community plays a vital role in encouraging good and holding each other accountable. We should foster environments where good is celebrated and evil is challenged.

Bible Study Questions

1. How can we practically discern between good and evil in our daily lives, and what role does Scripture play in this process?

2. In what ways can we ensure that we are imitating Christ and not the negative influences around us?

3. How does the example of Gaius and Demetrius inspire us to live out our faith in our communities?

4. What steps can we take to address and correct behaviors in our church communities that resemble those of Diotrephes?

5. How can we cultivate a deeper relationship with God to ensure that our actions reflect His goodness and not spiritual blindness?

Connections to Other Scriptures

1 John 3:10
This verse discusses the distinction between the children of God and the children of the devil, emphasizing the importance of doing righteousness and loving one's brother.

Matthew 7:17-20
Jesus teaches about recognizing people by their fruits, which aligns with the idea of imitating good and not evil.

Romans 12:9
Paul instructs believers to abhor what is evil and cling to what is good, reinforcing the message of 3 John 1:11.

1 Peter 3:11
Encourages believers to turn away from evil and do good, seeking peace and pursuing it.

James 1:22
Stresses the importance of being doers of the word and not hearers only, which relates to the active choice of imitating good.