Verse 11
John’s encouragement doubtless strengthened Gaius’ resolve to resist Diotrephes. "Of God" and "seen God" are terms John used in his first epistle (cf. 1 John 3:6; 1 John 3:10; 1 John 4:1-4; 1 John 4:6-7). God’s children do good works because God is their Father and they share His nature (1 John 3:9). The person who does evil may be a Christian, but he is behaving like Satan when he does evil. John was not accusing Diotrephes of being unsaved but of behaving like an unsaved person. One who knows God intimately (abides in Him) does not do evil (1 John 3:6; 1 John 5:18).
"The expression ’he is of God’ in this context does not mean ’he is a Christian.’ Rather, it means, ’he is a godly person, or ’he is a man of God.’ In this context it is a fellowship expression." [Note: Robert N. Wilkin, "He Who Does Good Is of God (3 John 1:11)," Grace Evangelical Society News 5:9 (September 1990):2.]
Be the first to react on this!
