3 John 1:11

“Beloved, follow not that which is evil, etc] Follow not evil in general, it being hateful to God, contrary to his nature and will, and bad in itself, as well as pernicious in its consequences; and particularly follow not, or do not imitate the particular evil or evils in Diotrephes; as his pride, ambition, love of preeminence, and tyrannical government in the church, and especially his hard heartedness, cruelty, and inhospitality to the poor saints; and so the Arabic version reads, “do not imitate him in evil”; the examples of persons in office and authority have great influence, especially in cases of charity, when men can be excused thereby, and save their money, or be freed from an…”

“follow not that which is evil--as manifested in Diotrephes (Jo3 1:9-10). but . . . good--as manifested in Demetrius (Jo3 1:12). is of God--is born of God, who is good. hath not seen God--spiritually, not literally.”

“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 generous hospitality. He that doeth good is of God - He shows that he resembles God, for God continually does good. See the sentiment explained in the notes at 1 John 3:7. He that doeth evil hath not seen…”

“Follow not that which is evil - In Diotrephes. But that which is good - In Demetrius. He hath not seen God - Is a stranger to him. 3 John 1:12”

“1:11 those who do evil: Diotrephes was condemned for his failure to live by the Christian rule of love (1 Jn 3:10-14). This was how Gaius could be sure that Diotrephes was not living according to the truth. This applies to all who refuse to accept the apostolic teaching about Jesus Christ and refuse to live in fellowship with others who do.”

“Beloved: Beloved, αγαπητε \[Strong's G27\], is in the vocative singular, and therefore refers to Gaius. follow: Rather, imitate μιμου. Exo 23:2; Psa 37:27; Pro 12:11; Isa 1:16, Isa 1:17; Joh 10:27, Joh 12:26; Co1 4:16, Co1 11:1; Eph 5:1; Phi 3:17; Th1 1:6, Th1 2:14; Ti2 3:10 \*marg. Heb 6:12; Pe1 3:13 He that doeth good: Pe1 3:11; Jo1 2:29, Jo1 3:6-9 he that doeth evil: Joh 3:20 3 John 1:12”