3 John 1:11

Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.

Cross-reference

Psalm 37:27 Parallel

Psalm 37:27 similarly exhorts to turn from evil and do good — directly echoing the main verse's command to imitate good, not evil.

1 John 3:6-9 expands: no one born of God continues in sin, while the one who does evil has not seen God — same teaching.

1 John 2:29 Parallel

1 John 2:29 states that everyone practicing righteousness is born of Him, echoing that whoever does good is from God.

Isaiah 1:16 Parallel

Isaiah 1:16 calls to stop doing wrong and wash — a clear parallel to the main verse's command to not imitate evil but do good.

1 Peter 3:11 directly commands turning from evil and doing good — the same twofold pattern as 'imitate good, not evil'.

Galatians 6:10 likewise commands doing good to all, especially believers, reinforcing the call to imitate good.

1 John 3:10 Parallel

In 1 John 3:10, doing good or evil reveals one's spiritual parentage — the same test of God's children that 3 John applies to imitating good.

James 1:22 Parallel

James 1:22 calls for being doers of the word, not just hearers, aligning with 'whoever does good is from God'.

Hebrews 13:16 Related theme

Hebrews 13:16 commands not to neglect doing good, directly supporting the exhortation to imitate good.

Hebrews 12:14 says without holiness no one sees the Lord, closely echoing 'whoever does evil has not seen God'.

2 Timothy 2:22 instructs fleeing evil passions and pursuing righteousness, paralleling the call to imitate good.

1 Timothy 6:18 Related theme

1 Timothy 6:18 urges doing good and being rich in good works, directly reinforcing the command to do good.

1 Thessalonians 5:15 explicitly commands seeking to do good to everyone, echoing the exhortation to imitate good in 3 John.

John 8:47 Parallel

John 8:47 states those from God hear His words, complementing 3 John's test of doing good as evidence of being from God.

John 3:21 Parallel

John 3:21 says those who do truth come to light, reinforcing 3 John's claim that doing good proves one is from God.

Amos 5:15 Parallel

Amos 5:15 commands to hate evil and love good, directly paralleling 3 John's instruction to imitate good and avoid evil.

Psalm 53:3 Contrast

Psalm 53:3 declares no one does good, highlighting the universal sinfulness that makes 3 John's call to imitate good a radical transformation.

Psalm 34:14 Parallel

Psalm 34:14 commands 'depart from evil and do good' — an exact parallel to the dual exhortation in 3 John.

John 3:20 Parallel

John 3:20 says evildoers hate the light, paralleling that evil-doers have not seen God (the light).

Luke 6:27 Parallel

Luke 6:27 expands 'doing good' to include enemies, deepening 3 John's call to imitate good with radical love.

Exodus 23:2 Parallel

Exodus 23:2 warns not to follow the crowd in doing wrong — a specific application of the general command in the main verse to not imitate evil.

Ephesians 5:9 describes the fruit of light as all that is good, linking goodness to divine origin similar to 'whoever does good is from God'.

2 Thessalonians 2:12 shows the condemnation of those who delight in unrighteousness, paralleling 'whoever does evil has not seen God'.

2 Thessalonians 3:6 commands avoiding idle brothers, a specific application of not imitating evil behavior.

Luke 8:21 Parallel

Luke 8:21 defines true family as those who practice God's word, aligning with 3 John's link between doing good and being from God.

Isaiah 1:17 Parallel

In Isaiah 1:17, doing good is defined concretely as seeking justice and defending the oppressed — expanding the general call to imitate good.

Proverbs 2:20 promises wisdom leads to walking in good ways, echoing 3 John's exhortation to imitate good as evidence of belonging to God.