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3Jn_1:11. From the special case the apostle deduces an exhortation of general import.
μὴ μιμοῦ τὸ κακόν , ἀλλὰ τὸ ἀγαθόν ] On μιμεῖσθαι , comp. especially Heb_13:7.
The expressions: τὸ κακόν and τὸ ἀγαθόν , can so much the less be regarded as un-Johannean (de Wette) as in Joh_5:29 the corresponding antithesis: τὰ ἀγαθά and τὰ φαῦλα , is found, and in Joh_18:23 the neuter singular τὸ κακόν . The additional sentence: ὁ ἀγαθοποιῶν … τὸν Θεόν , expresses the same thought that frequently appears in the First Epistle of John, especially in chap. 3:6.
The ideas: ἀγαθοποιεῖν and κακοποιεῖν , are to be taken quite generally, and must not be limited to the special virtue of benevolence (a Lapide, Lorinus, Grotius, Paulus); comp. 1Pe_2:14-15; 1Pe_2:20; 1Pe_3:6; 1Pe_3:17.
The corresponding expressions: ἐκ τοῦ Θεοῦ εἶναι and ἑωρακέναι τὸν Θεόν , are used also in the First Epistle of John; but why the Johannean: οὐκ ἔγνω τὸν Θεόν (1Jn_4:8), should be more conformable to the style of John than the equally Johannean: οὐχ ἑώρακε τὸν Θεόν (1Jn_3:6), as Lücke and de Wette think, is not quite perceptible.