Verse 11.— Beloved, follow not that which is evil. The course pursued by Diotrephes he regarded as evil. His desire was that the saints should pursue an exactly opposite course— that which is good— and he proceeds to give the all-important reason. He that doeth good is of God. He is begotten of God. God is good, and that which is begotten of him must necessarily be good. But he that doeth evil hath not seen God. That is to say, possesses no right knowledge of God, for God is good, and one who knows God must of necessity do good if he seeks acceptance with God. Doing evil, the reverse of what God desires, shows a fearful lack of knowledge of God, of his character, and of his requirements.