What does 3 John 1:11 mean?

Explanation

3 John 1:11 is a concise exhortation from the writer, traditionally understood to be the Apostle John, to the recipient of his letter, a man named Gaius.

The instruction is to "follow not that which is evil, but that which is good." This is a clear and universal moral directive to choose good actions over evil ones.

The second part of the verse, "He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God," explains the rationale behind the instruction: those who do good deeds are aligned with God, and their actions reflect His nature, whereas those who do evil demonstrate a lack of understanding or experience of God.

Historical Context

The 3 John epistle is a personal letter written in the context of the early Christian church.

Composed in the late first century A.D., the epistle addresses issues of hospitality, church leadership, and the behavior of believers.

During this time, the Christian community was dealing with false teachers and divisions within the church.

John emphasizes the importance of truth and love within the community of believers.

Theological Insights

From a theological standpoint, this verse echoes themes found throughout the biblical narrative, such as the distinction between good and evil and the way actions reflect one's relationship with God.

The verse suggests that moral behavior is a sign of divine affiliation or knowledge of God.

Some theological viewpoints might further interpret this as an insight into the evidence of God's transformative work in an individual.

Practical Applications

Practically speaking, this verse serves as encouragement for believers to adhere to moral behavior as a testimony of their faith. It can be taken as a call to personal reflection on one's actions and their alignment with God's will, and as a reminder to strive for goodness in all aspects of life.

Cross-References

• 1 John 2:29: "If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him."
• James 4:17: "Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin."
• Matthew 7:17: "Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit."
• Romans 12:21: "Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good."
• Galatians 6:10: "As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith."

Language Study

The key words in this verse are "evil" (Greek: κακός, kakos) and "good" (Greek: ἀγαθός, agathos). Kakos generally refers to that which is morally bad or wicked, while agathos represents that which is good in nature, beneficial, or morally upright.

The phrase "hath not seen God" (Greek: θεὸν οὐχ ἑώρακεν) uses the Greek word for "seen" (heōraken), which implies experience or perception, not merely visual sight.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The delineation between good and evil is not unique to Christianity and can be found in various ancient religions and myths.

In Zoroastrianism, for example, there is a clear divide between the good spirit, Ahura Mazda, and the evil spirit, Angra Mainyu.

Confucianism stresses the importance of virtuous living.

This alignment with good as a reflection of closeness to the divine is a theme that transcends many cultural and religious boundaries.

Scientific Perspectives

The concept of good and evil as described in this verse doesn't directly interface with scientific understandings, as these are moral categories rather than empirical ones.

However, the study of ethics and morality intersects with psychology and neuroscience, which seek to understand the basis for human behavior, including the capacity for both good and evil acts.

Commentaries

Various biblical commentaries interpret this verse within the larger Johannine tradition that emphasizes love, truth, and ethical living as markers of true faith.

Matthew Henry's Commentary stresses the importance of imitating what is good because the actions of a person are indicative of their spiritual health.

The Expositor's Bible Commentary notes that knowing God is reflected in one's behavior, and thus John contrasts those who do good with those who haven't truly understood God's nature.