3 John 1:11

Analysis & Commentary

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. Pivoting from Diotrephes' negative example, John exhorts Gaius directly. "Beloved" (ἀγαπητέ, agapēte) introduces tender pastoral appeal. "Follow not" (μὴ μιμοῦ, mē mimou) uses the verb μιμέομαι (mimeomai), meaning to imitate or mimic—we derive "mimic" from this root. John warns against imitating "that which is evil" (τὸ κακόν, to kakon), clearly referencing Diotrephes' behavior. Instead, "follow that which is good" (τὸ ἀγαθόν, to agathon), exemplified by faithful ministers and Gaius himself.

John then provides theological grounding: "He that doeth good is of God" (ὁ ἀγαθοποιῶν ἐκ τοῦ θεοῦ ἐστιν, ho agathopoiōn ek tou theou estin). The present participle ἀγαθοποιῶν (agathopoiōn, "doing good") indicates continuous action—habitual goodness, not isolated acts. The phrase "is of God" (ἐκ τοῦ θεοῦ) indicates source and identity: those who consistently practice goodness demonstrate divine origin, having been born of God (see 1 John 2:29, 3:9-10, 4:7).

Conversely, "he that doeth evil hath not seen God" (ὁ κακοποιῶν οὐχ ἑώρακεν τὸν θεόν, ho kakopoiōn ouch heōraken ton theon). Again, the present participle indicates habitual action—characteristic evil-doing. "Hath not seen" (οὐχ ἑώρακεν, ouch heōraken) doesn't mean physical sight but spiritual knowledge and relationship. This echoes 1 John 3:6: "Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him." Habitual, unrepentant evil-doing provides evidence of unregenerate state, regardless of religious profession. While believers still sin, their overall life pattern shows increasing righteousness; those whose lives characteristically display evil demonstrate they've never truly known God.

Historical Context

First-century churches faced constant challenge discerning genuine from counterfeit Christianity. Without New Testament Scripture yet compiled, Christians relied on apostolic teaching, observable life transformation, and the Spirit's witness to identify true believers. John's epistles repeatedly emphasize tests of genuine faith: right doctrine (confessing Jesus as Christ come in flesh), right behavior (keeping God's commands), and right relationships (loving fellow believers).

The phrase "of God" (ἐκ τοῦ θεοῦ) carries significant theological weight in John's writings. It indicates spiritual birth from above (John 3:3-8), reception of divine nature (2 Peter 1:4), and fundamental identity transformation. Unlike mere moral reformation, biblical conversion creates new creatures (2 Corinthians 5:17) whose deepest identity shifts from "in Adam" to "in Christ." This ontological change produces observable ethical change—not perfect sinlessness but definite, progressive sanctification.

John's stark either/or categories (doing good versus doing evil, of God versus not having seen God) reflect biblical realism about human nature's fallen state apart from grace. While we all sin and fall short (Romans 3:23), there exists genuine distinction between those walking in light versus darkness (1 John 1:5-7), those born of God versus children of the devil (1 John 3:10), and sheep versus goats (Matthew 25:31-46). Life patterns reveal heart reality; persistent evil-doing, especially when coupled with religious profession, indicates self-deception requiring urgent repentance.

Questions for Reflection

• Whose example are you following—people who genuinely practice goodness or those who merely appear religious?
• Does your life's overall pattern demonstrate being 'of God' through increasing righteousness and decreasing sin?
• How do you respond when confronted with your own sin—with repentance or with defensiveness and rationalization?