How could "the truth itself" speak in 3 John 1:12?

[tonychanyt]

1 John 4:

6 We are from God. The one who knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of deceit.

3 John 1:

1 The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth.
2 Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul. 3 For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified to your truth, as indeed you are walking in the truth. 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

Gaius was walking in the truth. In contrast:

9 I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority.

Diotrephes was not walking in the truth.

12 Demetrius is well spoken of by everyone--and even by the truth itself. We also speak well of him, and you know that our testimony is true.

How could the truth itself speak? Was the truth a person? A document? What was it?

John used the word 'truth' six times in 3J 1 in various senses. The truth could be an objective, truthful fact or a personification of the Holy Spirit. John used the term here mostly to contrast falsehood or deceit. Metaphorically, the truth itself spoke of Demetrius's life being in accordance with the truth of Christ's teaching.

 

[Mark Quayle]

1 John 4:


3 John 1:


Gaius was walking in the truth. In contrast:


Diotrephes was not walking in the truth.


How could the truth itself speak? Was the truth a person? A document? What was it?

John used the word 'truth' six times in 3J 1 in various senses. The truth could be an objective, truthful fact or a personification of the Holy Spirit. John used the term here mostly to contrast falsehood or deceit. Metaphorically, the truth itself spoke of Demetrius's life being in accordance with the truth of Christ's teaching.

Yes, I think it is a figure-of-speech, a spoken 'literary device'. However, it brings to mind what I think will be such an amazing play on facts —I guess one way to put it would be, that the truth 'himself' is testifying continually during this life. And we think WE are the purveyors of fact!