3 John 1:11
Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
This verse isn't just about "doing good deeds" versus "bad deeds." The original Greek implies a deep internal posture: imitating good is about aligning your inner motivations and actions with God's character, not just outward behavior, while imitating evil suggests a fundamental disconnect from God's ways. It's a call to a Christ-like way of living that flows from a genuine connection with Him.
In this letter, John is addressing a beloved leader named Gaius who is known for his hospitality and support of traveling missionaries. John is praising Gaius for his faithfulness, contrasting him with a man named Diotrephes who is causing division and refusing to welcome others. This verse serves as a direct exhortation to Gaius, urging him to continue in good deeds and to reject the harmful example set by Diotrephes.
John throws down a challenge: our actions aren't neutral. They either mimic darkness or reflect light. What does this stark choice mean for how we live?
Two Paths, One Source
John doesn't leave us guessing. He presents a clear, undeniable choice between imitating evil and imitating good. This isn't about minor preferences; it's about fundamental alignment.
John connects our actions directly to our spiritual sight. If you've truly 'seen' God, it should fundamentally change how you 'do'.
The Test of True Sight
John makes a profound statement: "Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God." This isn't a judgment on whether someone claims to know God, but on the evidence of that knowledge in their life.
Understand the original words
agapētos · Greek Adjective
A term of endearment and spiritual connection used by New Testament writers to address fellow believers, emphasizing their status as loved by God.
kakos · Greek Adjective/Noun
In a biblical context, moral wrongdoing, rebellion against God’s character, and conduct that is contrary to His will.
agathos · Greek Adjective/Noun
Conduct or character that aligns with God’s nature and commands; that which is morally excellent, beneficial, and pleasing to God.
This passage directly calls believers to follow the example of Christ, mirroring the call in 3 John to imitate 'good' which is God Himself.
Matthew 5:16Jesus instructs us to let our light shine so that others may see our good deeds and glorify God, highlighting the outward expression of God's work within us that 3 John also emphasizes.
Romans 12:2Paul urges believers not to be conformed to this world but to be transformed by the renewal of their minds, which is the internal work that enables us to 'imitate good' rather than evil.
1 John 3:10This verse starkly contrasts those who practice righteousness with those who practice sin, echoing 3 John's assertion that our actions reveal whether we are 'from God' or not.
This verse isn't just about "doing good deeds" versus "bad deeds." The original Greek implies a deep internal posture: imitating good is about aligning your inner motivations and actions with God's character, not just outward behavior, while imitating evil suggests a fundamental disconnect from God's ways. It's a call to a Christ-like way of living that flows from a genuine connection with Him.
In this letter, John is addressing a beloved leader named Gaius who is known for his hospitality and support of traveling missionaries. John is praising Gaius for his faithfulness, contrasting him with a man named Diotrephes who is causing division and refusing to welcome others. This verse serves as a direct exhortation to Gaius, urging him to continue in good deeds and to reject the harmful example set by Diotrephes.
In this letter, John is addressing a beloved leader named Gaius who is known for his hospitality and support of traveling missionaries. John is praising Gaius for his faithfulness, contrasting him with a man named Diotrephes who is causing division and refusing to welcome others. This verse serves as a direct exhortation to Gaius, urging him to continue in good deeds and to reject the harmful example set by Diotrephes.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about 3 John 1:11 is available in the Sola app.
"Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God." — This verse isn't just about "doing good deeds" versus "bad deeds." The original Greek implies a deep internal posture: imitating good is about aligning your inner motivations and actions with God's…
