King James Version

What Does 3 John 1:11 Mean?

3 John 1:11 in the King James Version says “Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hat...” — study this verse from 3 John chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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.”

3 John 1:11 · KJV

Context

9

I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.

10

Wherefore , if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith , neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.

11

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.

12

Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true.

13

I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee:

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Commentary

KJV Study 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.

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Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

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

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 21 words
Ἀγαπητέ,1 of 21

“Beloved”

G27

beloved

μὴ2 of 21

“not”

G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

μιμοῦ3 of 21

“follow”

G3401

to imitate

τὸ4 of 21
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κακὸν5 of 21

“that which is evil”

G2556

worthless (intrinsically, such; whereas g4190 properly refers to effects), i.e., (subjectively) depraved, or (objectively) injurious

ἀλλὰ6 of 21

“but”

G235

properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)

τὸ7 of 21
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀγαθόν8 of 21

“that which is good”

G18

"good" (in any sense, often as noun)

ὁ9 of 21
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀγαθοποιῶν10 of 21

“He that doeth good”

G15

to be a well-doer (as a favor or a duty)

ἐκ11 of 21

“of”

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

τοῦ12 of 21
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Θεόν13 of 21

“God”

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

ἐστιν·14 of 21

“is”

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

ὁ15 of 21
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δὲ16 of 21

“but”

G1161

but, and, etc

κακοποιῶν17 of 21

“he that doeth evil”

G2554

to be a bad-doer, i.e., (objectively) to injure, or (genitive) to sin

οὐχ18 of 21

“not”

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

ἑώρακεν19 of 21

“hath”

G3708

by extension, to attend to; by hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear

τὸν20 of 21
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Θεόν21 of 21

“God”

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 3 John. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

3 John 1:11 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 3 John 1:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 1:16-17Psalms 37:27Ephesians 5:11 Peter 3:11John 3:201 Peter 3:13

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