Bible/3 John/1

3 John 1:12

1:11 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.
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.

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Demetrius has the testimony of all, and of the truth itself; yes, we also testify, and you know that our testimony is true.

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.

Demetrius has good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yes, and we also bear record; and you know that our record is true.

1:13 I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee:

What does 3 John 1:12 mean?

3 John 1:12 is a verse in the book of 3 John, in the New Testament. In the original Greek, key words include Δημήτριος (Demetrios), μαρτυρέω (martureo), ὑπό (hupo). It connects to 13 cross-referenced passages elsewhere in Scripture.

Greek interlinear

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DemetriusΔημήτριοςDemetrios/day-may'-tree-os/G1216from Demeter (Ceres); Demetrius, the name of an Ephesian and of a Christian:--Demetrius.
hath
good
reportμαρτυρέωmartureo/mar-too-reh'-o/G3140from 3144; to be a witness, i.e. testify (literally or figuratively):--charge, give (evidence), bear record, have (obtain, of) good (honest) report, be well reported of, testify, give (have) testimony, (be, bear, give, obtain) witness.
ofὑπόhupo/hoop-o'/G5259a primary preposition; under, i.e. (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (underneath) or where (below) or time (when (at)):--among, by, from, in, of, under, with. In the comparative, it retains the same general applications, especially of inferior position or condition, and specially, covertly or moderately.
allπᾶςpas/pas/G3956including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole:--all (manner of, means), alway(-s), any (one), X daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, + no(-thing), X thoroughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever.
men,
andκαίkai/kahee/G2532apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
ofὑπόhupo/hoop-o'/G5259a primary preposition; under, i.e. (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (underneath) or where (below) or time (when (at)):--among, by, from, in, of, under, with. In the comparative, it retains the same general applications, especially of inferior position or condition, and specially, covertly or moderately.
the
truthἀλήθειαaletheia/al-ay'-thi-a/G225from 227; truth:--true, X truly, truth, verity.
itself:αὐτόςautos/ow-tos'/G846from the particle au (perhaps akin to the base of 109 through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative 1438) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare 848.
yea,δέde/deh/G1161a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).
andκαίkai/kahee/G2532apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
weἐγώhemeis/hay-mice'/G2249nominative plural of 1473; we (only used when emphatic):--us, we (ourselves).
also
bear
record;μαρτυρέωmartureo/mar-too-reh'-o/G3140from 3144; to be a witness, i.e. testify (literally or figuratively):--charge, give (evidence), bear record, have (obtain, of) good (honest) report, be well reported of, testify, give (have) testimony, (be, bear, give, obtain) witness.
andκαίkai/kahee/G2532apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
ye
knowοἶδα οιδα ὁράωeidoG1492a primary verb; used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent 3700 and 3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by implication, (in the perfect tense only) to know:--be aware, behold, X can (+ not tell), consider, (have) know(-ledge), look (on), perceive, see, be sure, tell, understand, wish, wot. Compare 3700.
thatὅτιhoti/hot'-ee/G3754neuter of 3748 as conjunction; demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because:--as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why.
ourἐγώhemon/hay-mone'/G2257genitive case plural of 1473; of (or from) us:--our (company), us, we.
recordμαρτυρίαmarturia/mar-too-ree'-ah/G3141from 3144; evidence given (judicially or genitive case):--record, report, testimony, witness.
isεἰμίesti/es-tee'/G2076third person singular present indicative of 1510; he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are:--are, be(-long), call, X can(-not), come, consisteth, X dure for a while, + follow, X have, (that) is (to say), make, meaneth, X must needs, + profit, + remaineth, + wrestle.
true.ἀληθήςalethes/al-ay-thace'/G227from 1 (as a negative particle) and 2990; true (as not concealing):--true, truly, truth.

Commentary on 3 John 1:12

HENRY_FULL · 3 John 1:12–13
="x-p" Caution against Seducers. ( a. d. 90.) 10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: 11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds. Here, I. Upon due warning given concerning seducers, the apostle gives direction concerning the treatment of such. They are not to be entertained as the ministers of Christ. The Lord Christ will distinguish them from such, and so would he have his disciples. The direction is negative. 1. "Support them not: If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine (concerning Christ as the Son of God, the Messiah and anointed of God for our redemption and salvation), receive him not into your house. " Possibly this lady was like Gaius, of whom we read in the next epistle, a generous housekeeper, and hospitable entertainer of travelling ministers and Christians. These deceivers might possibly expect the same reception with others, or with the best who came there (as the blind are often bold enough), but the apostle allows it not: "Do not welcome them into your family." Doubtless such may be relieved in their pressing necessities, but not encouraged for ill service. Deniers of the faith are destroyers of souls; and it is supposed that even ladies themselves should have good understanding in the affairs of religion. 2. "Bless not their enterprises: Neither bid him God speed. Attend not their service with your prayers and good wishes." Bad work should not be consecrated or recommended to the divine benediction. God will be no patron of falsehood, seduction, and sin. We ought to bid God speed to evangelical ministration; but the propagation of fatal error, if we cannot prevent, we must not dare to countenance. Then, II. Here is the reason of such direction, forbidding the support and patronage of the deceiver: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds. Favour and affection partake of the sin. We may be sharers in the iniquities of others. How judicious and how cautious should the Christian be! There are many ways of sharing the guilt of other people's transgressions; it may be done by culpable silence, indolence, unconcernedness, private contribution, public countenance and assistance, inward approbation, open apology and defence. The Lord pardon our guilt of other persons' sins!

Cross-references

Related passages from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

Numbers 12:8

With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?

John 15:11

These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

John 16:12

I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.

John 16:24

Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

John 17:13

And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.

Romans 15:24

Whensoever I take my journey into Spain, I will come to you: for I trust to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way thitherward by you, if first I be somewhat filled with your company. with: Gr. with you

1 Corinthians 16:5

Now I will come unto you, when I shall pass through Macedonia: for I do pass through Macedonia.

2 Timothy 1:4

Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy; Greatly: or, remembering thy tears, I greatly desire to see thee that

Philemon 1:22

But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.

Hebrews 13:19

But I beseech you the rather to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.

Hebrews 13:23

Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you.

1 John 1:4

And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.

3 John 1:13

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

Topics

EpistlesGaius

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with 3 John 1:12.

Matthew 2:16

Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.

Matthew 2:3

When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

Matthew 1:11

And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon: Josias: some read, Josias begat Jakim, and Jakim begat Jechonias

Matthew 1:19

Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.

Matthew 1:2

Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren;

Matthew 1:21

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. JESUS: that is, Saviour, Heb

Matthew 1:24

Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:

Matthew 2:13

And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.

Frequently asked questions

What does 3 John 1:12 say?

3 John 1:12 (King James Version) reads: "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."

Is 3 John 1:12 in the Old or New Testament?

3 John 1:12 is in the New Testament of the Bible, in the book of 3 John.

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As you read 3 John 1:12, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

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