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.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — The author writes to a recipient he addresses as "Beloved" to confront a local figure's refusal to welcome traveling brothers and his malicious slander. He places this instruction directly between a warning about that disruptive leader and a commendation of Demetrius's good reputation.

The words — μιμοῦ (mimou) literally means "do imitate," and κακόν (kakon) means "evil." The text commands active behavioral alignment with what is good rather than what is evil.

The thread — This moral dichotomy runs through Isaiah 1:16 and Psalms 37:27 as direct commands to cease wickedness and pursue righteousness. It parallels Ephesians 5:1, which instructs believers to imitate God as beloved children.

Why it lands — The text states that the one who does good is of God, while the one who does evil has not seen God. It demands a practical choice to reject the divisive conduct described in the context and adopt conduct that evidences divine fellowship.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

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.

Cross-references

Isaiah 1:16 Wash and cleanse yourselves. Remove your evil deeds from My sight. Stop doing evil!
Psalms 37:27 Turn away from evil and do good, so that you will abide forever.
Ephesians 5:1 Be imitators of God, therefore, as beloved children,
1 Peter 3:11 He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it.
John 3:20 Everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come into the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.
1 Peter 3:13 Who can harm you if you are zealous for what is good?
Psalms 34:14 Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
1 John 3:6 No one who remains in Him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has seen Him or known Him.
2 Timothy 3:10 You, however, have observed my teaching, my conduct, my purpose, my faith, my patience, my love, my perseverance,
1 John 2:29 If you know that He is righteous, you also know that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of Him.