3 John 1 · Verse 3

3 John 1:3

For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.
3 John 1:3, King James Version

3 John 1:3 in other translations

BSBFor I was overjoyed when the brothers came and testified about your devotion to the truth, in which you continue to walk.
WEBFor I rejoiced greatly when brothers came and testified about your truth, even as you walk in truth.
ASVFor I rejoiced greatly, when brethren came and bare witness unto thy truth, even as thou walkest in truth.
YLTfor I rejoiced exceedingly, brethren coming and testifying of the truth in thee, even as thou in truth dost walk;
DARBYFor I rejoiced exceedingly when the brethren came and bore testimony to thy holding fast the truth, even as thou walkest in truth.
BBEFor it gave me great joy when some of the brothers came and gave witness that you had the true faith and were walking in the true way.
WebsterFor I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.

What does 3 John 1:3 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
3. testified of the truth that is in thee--Greek, "of" (or 'to') thy truth": thy share of that truth in which thou walkest [Alford]. even as thou--in contrast to Diotrephes (3Jo 9).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 3. For I rejoiced greatly when the brethren came. Who these were is not certainly known. They may have been members of the same church with Gaius, who, for some reason, had visited the writer of this epistle; or they may have been the "brethren" who had gone from him with a letter of commendation to the church, (1Jn 1:9,) and had been rejected by the church through the influence of Diotrephes, and who, after having been hospitably entertained by Gaius, had again returned to the writer of this epistle. In that case, they would of course bear honourable testimony to the kindness which they had received from Gaius, and to his Christian character.

And testified of the truth that is in thee. That you adhere steadfastly to the truth, notwithstanding the fact that errors abound, and that there are many false teachers in the world.

Even as thou walkest in the truth. Livest in accordance with the truth. The writer had made the same remark of the children of Cyria, to whom the second epistle was directed. 2Jn 1:4.

(a) "walkest" 2Jn 1:4

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 3 When the brethren came - Probably the same of whom he speaks in the fifth (3Jn 1:5) and following verses, and who appear to have been itinerant evangelists. The truth that is in thee - The soundness of thy faith and the depth of thy religion.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 3 John 1:1-8

Those who are beloved of Christ, will love the brethren for his sake. Soul prosperity is the greatest blessing on this side heaven. Grace and health are rich companions. Grace will employ health. A rich soul may be lodged in a weak body; and grace must then be exercised in submitting to such a dispensation. But we may wish and pray that those who have prosperous souls, may have healthful bodies; that their grace may…

Read the full comment on 3 John 1:1-8 →

3 John 1:3 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ἐχάρηνecharēnI rejoicedG5463
γὰρgarforG1063
λίανlianexceedinglyG3029
ἐρχομένωνerchomenōnwhen were comingG2064
ἀδελφῶνadelphōn[the] brothersG80
καὶkaiandG2532
μαρτυρούντωνmarturountōnthose bearing witnessG3140
σουsoufrom youG4771
τῇtēato theG3588
ἀληθείᾳ,alētheiato truth,G225
καθὼςkathōseven asG2531
σὺsuyou yourselfG4771
ἐνeninG1722
ἀληθείᾳalētheiatruthG225
περιπατεῖς.peripateisare walking.G4043

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 3 John 1:3

  • 2 John 1:4

    I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.

  • 1 Thessalonians 3:6-9

    But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you: Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith: For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord. For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God;

  • Psalms 119:11

    Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

  • 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20

    For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? For ye are our glory and joy.

  • Romans 1:8-9

    First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;

  • 2 John 1:2

    For the truth’s sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever.

  • 2 Corinthians 7:6-7

    Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus; And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.

  • 3 John 1:4

    I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

  • Colossians 1:7-8

    As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ; Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit.

  • Philippians 1:4

    Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,

  • Ephesians 1:15-16

    Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
I.
4; 2Jo 1:4; Php 1:4; 1Th 2:19,20
when.
Ro 1:8,9; 2Co 7:6,7; Eph 1:15,16; Col 1:7,8; 1Th 3:6-9
the truth.
2Jo 1:2,4; Ps 119:11

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 3 John 1:2

    Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

  • 3 John 1:3

    For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.

  • 3 John 1:4

    I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

Read all of 3 John 1

3 John 1:3 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Ciertamente me gocé mucho cuando vinieron los hermanos y dieron testimonio de tu verdad, así como tú andas en la verdad.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		car je me suis très fort réjoui quand des frères sont venus et ont rendu témoignage à ta vérité, comment toi tu marches dans la vérité.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Denn ich freute mich sehr, als Brüder kamen und Zeugnis gaben von deinem Festhalten an der Wahrheit, gleichwie du in der Wahrheit wandelst.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Gavisus sum valde venientibus fratribus, et testimonium perhibentibus veritati tuæ, sicut tu in veritate ambulas.