3 John 11-14

 

3 John 1:11 (KJB)

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.

 

Follow - Imitate or mimic

 

There may have been a problem on the part of Gaius where he might have stopped helping the missionaries in hopes that he would not get thrown out of the church and it seems that John is addressing Gaius that he should not follow the evil ways of Diotrephes. John points out that there is a great difference between those who do good and those who don’t. Those who do not do good are giving evidence they are unsaved, which would be the case of Diotrephes because he did what he could to hinder or stop the spread of the Gospel. John contrasts that mindset with those who do good, which would have been the case of Gaius, who did what he could to further the Gospel. John wants to make sure that if Gaius fell prey to the works of Diotrephes, then John wanted to warn Gaius not to follow the evil works of the unsaved but continue the course he was on.

 

3 John 1:12 (KJB)

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.

 

Hath good report - A good witness

Record - Testimony

 

Here John contrasts the unsaved Diotrephes with a new brother Demetrius. This is the only place in the New Testament where he is mentioned. This verse is an introduction verse of Demetrius to the church. It states that he has a very good Christian testimony and that he walks in the truth of the Gospel. John also gives his personal commendation to Demetrius and emphasizes the fact that these people know very well the testimony of John and those who associate with him. Therefore they can initially take his word for it but because of the testimony of Demetrius, they will see his Christian character in person as he begins to work among them.

 

3 John 1:13 (KJB)

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

 

As in the previous letter, John apparently had much more to say to them but he was not going to include it in this letter. It might have increased the size of the letter and if Diotrephes got hold of the letter, he might destroy it so it was wise on John’s part to come to them and deal with the situation in person.

 

3 John 1:14 (KJB)

But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name.

 

Shortly - Immediately or at once

 

Apparently John was planning to visit them in a very short time and he would have probably beat the letter there. So he wanted to speak with them in person and I imagine that he was going to face Diotrephes and all his evil works. John wished them peace, the peace that accompanies salvation. John then passed greeting on to them from those Christians in his own area where he was. He also told them that they should greet each other by name because this is a biblical principle laid down by the Lord Jesus in John’s Gospel. (John 10:3 KJV) To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. As Christ knows the name of every one of His sheep, then we are to call other sheep by their name.

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