Limitless Word
Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself. We also testify for him, and you know that our testimony is true.
3 John 1:12 · Berean Standard Bible
Parallel translations
  • WEB Demetrius has the testimony of all, and of the truth itself; yes, we also testify, and you know that our testimony is true.
  • KJV 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.
  • NKJV Demetrius has a good testimony from all, and from the truth itself. And we also bear witness, and you know that our testimony is true.
  • NASB Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself; and we testify too, and you know that our testimony is true.
  • NLT Everyone speaks highly of Demetrius, as does the truth itself. We ourselves can say the same for him, and you know we speak the truth.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Quick answer

Demetrius, by contrast, is well attested by everyone, by the truth itself, and by John. A consistent, godly reputation is a powerful commendation of a believer.

Overview

Demetrius, possibly the bearer of this letter, stands as a positive counterexample to Diotrephes. His character is confirmed by the testimony of all who knew him, by the truth his life embodied, and by John's own trustworthy witness. Such genuine commendation reflects the fruit that abiding in the truth of Christ produces in a life worth imitating.

Cross-references & the web

Cross-references · 6

  • 1 Tim 3:7Furthermore, he must have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the snare of the devil.
  • John 21:24This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who has written them down. And we know that his testimony is true.
  • Acts 22:12There a man named Ananias, a devout observer of the law who was highly regarded by all the Jews living there,
  • Acts 10:22“Cornelius the centurion has sent us,” they said. “He is a righteous and God-fearing man with a good reputation among the whole Jewish nation. A holy angel instructed him to request your presence in his home so he could hear a message from you.”
  • John 19:35The one who saw it has testified to this, and his testimony is true. He knows that he is telling the truth, so that you also may believe.
  • 1 Th 4:12Then you will behave properly toward outsiders, without being dependent on anyone.

Themes, concepts, people & topics

Topics (1)

Resources, by level

Commentaries & study tools

  • VideoBibleProject — 3 John videosBibleProject · Lay · Free · evangelical

    Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.

  • VideoWatch teaching on 3 John 1:12YouTube · Lay · Free

    Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.

  • CommentaryEnduring Word — verse-by-verseDavid Guzik · Lay · Free · evangelical

    Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.

  • CommentaryClassic commentaries for this verseBibleHub (20+ works) · Pastoral · Free

    Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.

  • CommentaryMatthew Henry on 3 JohnMatthew Henry · Pastoral · Free · evangelical

    The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).

  • ReferenceInterlinear, lexicon & Strong'sBlue Letter Bible · Seminary · Free

    Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.

Christ at the center

Faithful love shown for the sake of 'the Name' is service rendered to Christ, who is the truth in which his people walk.

How 3 John 1:12 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.

Original language

Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.