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Bible topic
Imitating Good, Not Evil in the Bible
Context coverage
Passages in context
Current coverage includes 3 John. More books are being added.
Theological Definition
The letter calls believers to pattern their lives after what is good, recognizing that evil deeds contradict knowing God.
In context
This theme appears in passages such as 3 John, where the Bible develops it through story, instruction, warning, and promise. In 3 John 9–10 the writer explains why cooperation with traveling believers has broken down in a local group. He had previously written to the assembly, but a man named Diotrephes refuses to accept the writer’s message because he wants the top place. In 3 John 9–10 the writer explains why cooperation with traveling believers has broken down in a local group. He had previously written to the assembly, but a man named Diotrephes refuses to accept the writer’s message because he wants the top place.
Where to keep reading
Start with 3 John 1:9, 3 John 1:10, 3 John 1:11, then follow the related passages in their own setting before drawing broad conclusions.
Reading guardrail
A theme page is strongest when it follows the Bible's own contexts. The goal is not to collect matching words, but to see how repeated ideas develop across passages, books, and the whole biblical story.
Coverage by Book
3 John 1:10
10Therefore, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words. Not content with this, neither does he himself receive the brothers, and those who would, he forbids and throws out of the assembly.
3 John 1:11
11Beloved, don`t imitate that which is evil, but that which is good. He who does good is of God. He who does evil hasn`t seen God.
3 John 1:12
12Demetrius has the testimony of all, and of the truth itself; yes, we also testify, and you know that our testimony is true.
3 John 1:4
4I have no greater joy than this, to hear about my children walking in truth.
3 John 1:9
9I wrote to the assembly, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, doesn`t accept what we say.