3 John 1:11

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Beloved {G27}, follow {G3401} not {G3361} that which is evil {G2556}, but {G235} that which is good {G18}. He that doeth good {G15} is {G2076} of {G1537} God {G2316}: but {G1161} he that doeth evil {G2554} hath {G3708} not {G3756} seen {G3708} God {G2316}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Dear friend, don’t imitate the bad, but the good. Those who do what is good are from God; those who do what is bad are not from God.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

Beloved, 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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
The Apostle John, in his third epistle, delivers a profound moral imperative in this verse, urging believers to actively imitate goodness and reject evil. It establishes a fundamental principle of Christian conduct, asserting that righteous living is an outward manifestation of a genuine relationship with God, while persistent evil reveals a lack of true spiritual knowledge and communion with Him. The verse serves as a crucial criterion for discerning authentic faith and spiritual character.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Third John is a highly personal letter from the Apostle John to his beloved friend, Gaius. The epistle primarily addresses issues of hospitality, truth, and authority within the early church. John commends Gaius for his faithful support of traveling missionaries, who were vital for spreading the Gospel. In stark contrast, John condemns Diotrephes, a self-aggrandizing leader who refused to welcome missionaries, slandered the apostles, and excommunicated those who showed hospitality. Against this backdrop of contrasting behaviors—Gaius's Christ-like hospitality versus Diotrephes's ungodly arrogance—[3 John 1:11](/3_john/1-11 "3 John 1:11 - The Call to Goodness") functions as a general, overarching principle. It implicitly highlights the spiritual chasm between Gaius's actions, which demonstrate a true knowledge of God, and Diotrephes's actions, which betray a profound spiritual blindness, even within the church. The verse serves as a moral compass, guiding Gaius and the readers to discern true spiritual character through observable conduct.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The early Christian movement relied heavily on itinerant missionaries and teachers who traveled from city to city, often dependent on the hospitality of believers. Providing lodging, food, and financial support for these "fellow workers for the truth" (as mentioned in [3 John 1:8](/3_john/1-8 "3 John 1:8 - Supporting Fellow Workers")) was a vital expression of Christian fellowship and a practical means of advancing the Gospel. In this context, Diotrephes's refusal of hospitality and his attempts to control the church by excommunicating those who welcomed missionaries were not merely social slights but direct affronts to apostolic authority and the very mission of the church. The concept of "seeing God" or "knowing God" was deeply rooted in Old Testament thought, where it often referred to an experiential, covenantal relationship rather than a literal physical sight (e.g., [Exodus 33:18-23](/exodus/33-18-23 "Exodus 33:18-23 - Moses' Request to See God's Glory")). John draws on this rich tradition, emphasizing that genuine spiritual insight and relationship with God are intrinsically linked to righteous living.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes prevalent in John's writings. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Discernment and Truth**, emphasizing that one's actions are the ultimate test of their spiritual allegiance and whether they genuinely walk in the truth, as highlighted throughout [3 John](/3_john/1 "The Third Epistle of John"). Secondly, it reinforces the **Divine Origin of Goodness**, positing that doing good is not merely a moral choice but an outflow of one's spiritual parentage—being "of God." This connects strongly with the broader Johannine theme that true children of God are characterized by righteousness, as seen in [1 John 3:10](/1_john/3-10 "1 John 3:10 - Children of God and Children of the Devil"). Thirdly, the verse addresses the theme of **Spiritual Knowledge and Relationship**, asserting that persistent evil indicates a profound lack of true experiential knowledge of God. This echoes John's consistent teaching that knowing God is demonstrated through obedience and love, not merely intellectual assent (e.g., [1 John 2:3-4](/1_john/2-3-4 "1 John 2:3-4 - Knowing God Through Obedience")). Finally, it touches upon the **Importance of Conduct as Witness**, implying that a believer's actions serve as a visible testimony to their spiritual state and relationship with God before the world and within the community.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **follow (Greek, _miméomai'_):** This verb means "to imitate" or "to mimic." It implies a deliberate and active choice to pattern one's behavior after something or someone. Here, it is an imperative to actively emulate goodness, not merely to avoid evil passively. This calls for a dynamic pursuit of righteous character and actions.
* **good (Greek, _agathós'_):** This word describes something that is intrinsically good, beneficial, and morally excellent. It refers to a quality that is inherently valuable and serves a positive purpose. In this context, it encompasses actions, character, and outcomes that align with God's righteous nature.
* **seen (Greek, _horáō'_):** While literally meaning "to stare at" or "to discern clearly" physically, in this theological context, it extends to a profound spiritual perception or experiential knowledge. To "not have seen God" means to lack a true, intimate, and transformative understanding or relationship with God, which would naturally lead to a life reflecting His character.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good."**: John begins with an affectionate address, "Beloved" (Gaius, and by extension, all who love the truth), setting a pastoral tone. The core of this clause is a direct moral imperative: do not imitate or pattern your life after evil, but rather actively pursue and emulate that which is good. This is a call to intentional, proactive righteousness, not merely a passive avoidance of sin. It implies a conscious choice to align one's conduct with divine standards.
* **"He that doeth good is of God"**: This clause establishes the source and nature of genuine goodness. The one who consistently practices good (G15, _agathopoiéō_, "to be a well-doer") demonstrates that their origin or spiritual parentage is "of God" (G1537 _ek_ G2316 _theós_). This signifies that righteous living is not merely human effort but a natural outflow of a regenerated heart and a true relationship with God, reflecting His character and nature. It is an internal reality made manifest externally.
* **"but he that doeth evil hath not seen God."**: This stark contrast reveals the spiritual consequence of persistent evil. The one who consistently practices evil (G2554, _kakopoiéō_, "to be a bad-doer") demonstrates a profound spiritual deficiency: they "have not seen God." As explored in the Key Word Analysis, "seen" here means a lack of true, experiential, and transformative knowledge or perception of God. It implies that genuine acquaintance with God's holy and loving character would inevitably lead to a rejection of evil, and thus, a life characterized by evil reveals an absence of such true spiritual sight.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices. **Contrast** is the most prominent, setting "evil" against "good" and the one who "doeth good" against the one who "doeth evil," leading to diametrically opposed spiritual outcomes ("is of God" vs. "hath not seen God"). This stark opposition clarifies the moral choice and its profound implications. **Parallelism** is also evident in the balanced structure of the two halves of the verse, with the second half providing the theological rationale for the imperative in the first. The use of the **Imperative** ("follow not... but...") provides a direct command, emphasizing the urgency and non-negotiable nature of the instruction. Finally, the phrase "hath not seen God" functions as a **Metaphor** or an **Idiom** for a lack of true spiritual knowledge, understanding, or experiential relationship with God, rather than a literal physical sight. This metaphorical language powerfully conveys the spiritual blindness of those who persist in evil.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse encapsulates a profound theological truth: genuine faith is inextricably linked to righteous conduct. John consistently teaches that one's actions serve as a litmus test for their spiritual state and relationship with God. It is not merely about avoiding sin, but actively pursuing and embodying goodness, which flows from being "of God." Conversely, a life characterized by evil indicates a fundamental disconnect from God, a failure to truly "see" or experientially know Him in a transformative way. This aligns with the biblical emphasis on "fruit" as evidence of spiritual life and the understanding that true knowledge of God is demonstrated through obedience and love, not just intellectual assent.

* [1 John 3:10](/1_john/3-10 "1 John 3:10 - How to Distinguish Children of God")
* [Matthew 7:16-20](/matthew/7-16-20 "Matthew 7:16-20 - You Will Know Them By Their Fruits")
* [James 2:17-26](/james/2-17-26 "James 2:17-26 - Faith Without Works Is Dead")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
For believers today, [3 John 1:11](/3_john/1-11 "3 John 1:11 - A Call to Righteous Living") serves as a timeless and vital reminder that our actions are not peripheral to our faith but are deeply indicative of our spiritual reality and relationship with God. It challenges us to move beyond mere theological assent to a vibrant, active pursuit of goodness in every sphere of life. This verse calls us to honest self-reflection, prompting us to examine whether our daily choices, attitudes, and behaviors genuinely reflect the character of the God we claim to know. Furthermore, it empowers us with a critical lens for discernment, urging us to evaluate others, especially those in positions of spiritual leadership, not merely by their words or charisma, but by the tangible "fruit" of their lives. Living out this truth means striving for holiness, actively seeking opportunities to do good, and allowing our lives to be a consistent, compelling testimony to the transformative power of God's presence within us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of my life am I actively "following that which is good" and intentionally rejecting "that which is evil"?**
* **How does my daily conduct demonstrate that I am truly "of God" and that I have "seen" Him in a transformative way?**
* **Considering the example of Diotrephes, how can I apply the principle of discerning character by actions when evaluating leaders or teachings within the church today?**
* **What practical steps can I take this week to more fully embody the goodness of God in my interactions and decisions?**

### FAQ
**What does "hath not seen God" truly mean in this context?**
Answer: The phrase "hath not seen God" (Greek: _ou horáō_) does not refer to a literal physical sight of God, which is impossible for humans in their mortal state ([Exodus 33:20](/exodus/33-20 "Exodus 33:20 - No One Can See God and Live")). Instead, it signifies a profound lack of true spiritual perception, intimate knowledge, or experiential relationship with God. It implies that one whose life is characterized by persistent evil has not genuinely apprehended or understood God's holy, loving, and righteous character. True knowledge of God is transformative and would naturally lead to a life that reflects His goodness, as seen in passages like [1 John 4:7-8](/1_john/4-7-8 "1 John 4:7-8 - God Is Love"). Therefore, to "not have seen God" means to be spiritually blind to His nature and to lack the intimate fellowship that produces righteous living.

**Does this verse imply that salvation is earned by doing good works?**
Answer: No, this verse does not teach salvation by works. Rather, it describes the *evidence* or *fruit* of a genuine relationship with God. John's broader theology, consistent with the New Testament, emphasizes that salvation is by grace through faith ([Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Salvation By Grace Through Faith")). However, true faith is never barren; it always produces good works as a natural and necessary outflow of a transformed heart. As [James 2:17](/james/2-17 "James 2:17 - Faith Without Works Is Dead") states, "faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead." So, "He that doeth good is of God" means that righteous actions are a characteristic mark of those who are truly born of God, demonstrating that they have indeed "seen" and truly know Him.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The imperative to "follow that which is good" finds its ultimate fulfillment and perfect embodiment in Jesus Christ. He is the quintessential "Good One," the very [Son of God](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World") who perfectly mirrored the Father's character in all His actions and teachings. Jesus consistently "did good" ([Acts 10:38](/acts/10-38 "Acts 10:38 - Jesus Went About Doing Good")), demonstrating divine goodness through His healing, teaching, and sacrificial love. He is the [Truth](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus Is the Way, the Truth, and the Life") and the [Light of the World](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World"), revealing God to humanity in a way no one else could. Through His atoning work on the cross, Christ not only redeems us from the power of evil but also empowers us, through the indwelling Holy Spirit, to "follow that which is good." We are called to imitate Christ's example ([Philippians 2:5-8](/philippians/2-5-8 "Philippians 2:5-8 - The Humility of Christ")), to walk as He walked ([1 John 2:6](/1_john/2-6 "1 John 2:6 - Walking as Jesus Walked")), and to bear the fruit of the Spirit, which is inherently good ([Galatians 5:22-23](/galatians/5-22-23 "Galatians 5:22-23 - The Fruit of the Spirit")). Thus, "he that doeth good is of God" because it is Christ, living in and through the believer, who enables such a life, making us God's "workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works" ([Ephesians 2:10](/ephesians/2-10 "Ephesians 2:10 - Created for Good Works")). Conversely, those who persist in evil truly "have not seen God" because they have not encountered or embraced the transformative light and truth revealed in Jesus Christ.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 1:16

¶ Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;

Isaiah 1:17

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.

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.