Imitate What Is Good
Believers must imitate what reflects God's character because conduct reveals spiritual reality.
3 John 1:11 (BSB)
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.
What is the big idea of 3 John 1:11?
Believers must imitate what reflects God's character because conduct reveals spiritual reality.
How does 3 John 1:11 point to Christ?
The gospel transforms believers so that their lives increasingly reflect the goodness and character of God.
Authorial Intent
To exhort believers to imitate what is good rather than evil and to affirm that moral conduct reveals one's relationship to God.
Historical Context
John's exhortation likely addresses the contrasting examples within the letter, encouraging believers to imitate faithful examples such as Gaius rather than the harmful conduct of figures like Diotrephes.
Chapter: 3 John 1
Walking in the Truth Through Faithful Hospitality
The truth of Christ must be walked, welcomed, defended, and embodied in humble fellowship rather than obstructed by prideful control.