THE TRUTH TESTIFIES
Friday – December 19, 2025
Video link: https://youtu.be/DlBO0RHzfDo
Welcome saint and sinner alike to this ongoing study of 3rd John. I have covered most of the substantive material contained in this epistle. You will recall that the Apostle John is writing to a spiritual or natural son by the name of Gaius. John has gotten reports from other brothers in Christ concerning Gaius. They reported that he not only knows the Truth but is walking in the Truth. People can know about the Truth but not walk in it, at least not consistently. It has to become a rhema Word, a revelation, a light and then the person will walk in it as the only way to walk (think, talk, live).
Then the Apostle commends Gaius for his excellent treatment and support, financial and otherwise, of Evangelists that visited the Church of which Gaius is a member. The Apostle then turns his attention to the head of this unnamed Church. He tells Gaius things that Gaius already knows because he is a firsthand witness. John then admonishes Gaius not to follow after the evil ways of this man, Diotrephes. Instead, he recommends another man named Demetrius as an excellent example.
3 John 1:11-12 (ESV)
11 Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God.
12 Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself. We also add our testimony, and you know that our testimony is true.
It appears that perhaps this man Demetrius is a leader in this same Church as Diotrephes and Gaius. In any event they are presented as contrasts, good and evil, to this spiritual son Gaius. Let’s look at this twelfth verse in the Amplified Bible.
3 John 1:12 (AMP)
12 Demetrius has warm commendation from everyone—and from the Truth itself; we add our testimony also, and you know that our testimony is true.
We see that Demetrius is well thought of by all and “the Truth itself”. This is the phrase I wanted to draw attention to. We see in the Amplified translation that the word Truth is capitalized. This is important for the Truth is, when all is said and done, the Word of God. This man, Demetrius, is walking (thinking, speaking, living) according to the Word of God, the Truth. What a wonderful testimony. He is the good example the Apostle John recommends following. The Apostle apparently has firsthand knowledge of this man, Demetrius, and adds his own commendation and that of those with him. We now come to the valediction.
3 John 1:13-14 (AMP)
13 I had much [to say to you when I began] to write, but I prefer not to put it down with pen (a reed) and ink;
14 I hope to see you soon, and we will talk together face to face.
There is much more that the Apostle wants to convey to Gaius but thinks it best to do in person. This no doubt is by the leadership of the Holy Spirit. Perhaps the further things he wants to say were temporal in nature and not eternal. That is to say they were not Truth for all people, for all time, for all circumstances.
TAKE HOME:
- We don’t seek the approval of man but God, simultaneously we must seek after a good report by all especially the Truth.
- We are not to follow after evil people in the Church but follow after those with a good report especially of the Truth.
- Do the leaders in your life speak well of you?
Lord willing, I will return with fresh revelation from the throne next Friday. Remember, we love you, the Lord loves you, and there is nothing you can do about either one.
By: Dr. David R. Wood, Bible Teacher, and Prophetic Voice
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