約翰參書 1:11-12 RCUVTS

The Pulpit Commentary - 3 John 1:11

This is the moral to which St. John has been leading up. Diotrephes will at least serve as a warning. A Christian gentleman will note such behaviour in order to avoid it. Strengthened by his own previous walk in the truth (verse 3), and encouraged by the apostle (verses 5-8), with Diotrephes as a warning on the one hand, and Demetrius as an example on the other, he ought not to fail in proving his heavenly birth by doing good and avoiding evil (see on 1 John 3:6 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 3 John 1:11-12

Imitating the good. "Beloved, follow not that which is evil," etc. This exhortation occurs here very naturally after the mention of Diotrephes. "Beloved, imitate not that which is evil;" do not copy Diotrephes; regard him not as an example, but as a beacon. But imitate the good; take Demetrius as a pattern; copy his conduct. I. MAN IMITATES . It is implied here that Gaius would imitate either the good or the evil—either Demetrius or Diotrephes. The propensity to imitation is one of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 3 John 1:12

Respecting Demetrius we know no more than is told us here. All that we can safely infer from what is stated is that he is a person of whom Gaius has not hitherto known much; otherwise this elaborate commendation would scarcely be necessary. Conjectures about him are read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 3 John 1:11

Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good - There can be no doubt that in this exhortation the writer had Diotrephes particularly in his eye, and that he means to exhort Gaius not to imitate his example. He was a man of influence in the church, and though Gaius had shown that he was disposed to act in an independent manner, yet it was not improper to exhort him not to be influenced by the example of any one who did wrong. John wished to excite him to acts of liberal and... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 3 John 1:12

Demetrius hath good report of all men - Little is known of Demetrius. Lucke supposes that he resided near the place where the author of this Epistle lived, and was connected with the church there, and was probably the bearer of this Epistle. It is impossible to determine with certainty on this point, but there is one circumstance which seems to make it probable that he was a member of the same church with Gaius, and had united with him in showing Christian hospitality to these strangers. It is... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 3 John 1:9-11

3 John 1:9-11. I wrote Or have written; to the church Probably that to which they came; but Diotrephes &c. As if he had said, But I fear lest my letter should not produce the desired effect; for Diotrephes, perhaps the pastor of it, who loveth to have the pre-eminence among them To govern all things according to his own will; receiveth us not Neither them nor me; or, does not acknowledge my authority as an apostle of Christ. So did the mystery of iniquity already begin to work!... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 3 John 1:12

3 John 1:12. Demetrius, on the contrary, hath good report Hath a good testimony from all that know him; and of the truth The gospel; itself His temper and conduct being conformable to its precepts, and he having exerted himself greatly to propagate it. Yea, and we also bear record I, and they that are with me; and ye know that our record is true That every commendation I give is well founded. read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 3 John 1:11

follow . See 2 Thessalonians 3:7 . evil . App-128 . doeth good . Greek. agathopoieo. See Acts 14:17 . of . App-104 . God . App-98 . doeth evil . Greek. kakopoieo. See Mark 3:4 . seen . App-133 . read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 3 John 1:12

hath good report = is borne witness to. See 3 John 1:6 . of = by. App-104 . bear record = testify, 3 John 1:3 . ye know . The texts read, "thou knowest". App-132 . record = testimony. See p. 1511. true . App-175 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 3 John 1:11

Beloved, imitate not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: he that doeth evil hath not seen God.Sinclair observed in this connection that there might have been many human considerations which would have encouraged Gaius to follow the lead of Diotrephes. "Peace, good fellowship, popular example, the dislike of singularity, and the indolent indifference which ordinary men feel for truth and right"[35] - all such things would have entered into the minds of... read more