3 John 1 · Verse 4

3 John 1:4

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
3 John 1:4, King James Version

3 John 1:4 in other translations

BSBI have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
WEBI have no greater joy than this: to hear about my children walking in truth.
ASVGreater joy have I none than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.
YLTgreater than these things I have no joy, that I may hear of my children in truth walking.
DARBYI have no greater joy than these things that I hear of my children walking in the truth.
BBEI have no greater joy than to have news that my children are walking in the true way.
WebsterI have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

What does 3 John 1:4 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
4. my children--members of the Church: confirming the view that the "elect lady" is a Church.

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

Barnes' Notes
Verse 4. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. That they adhere steadfastly to the truth, and that they live in accordance with it. This is such language as would be used by an aged apostle when speaking of those who had been converted by his instrumentality, and who looked up to him as a father; and we may, therefore, infer that Gaius had been converted under the ministry of John, and that he was probably a much younger man than he was. John, the aged apostle, says that he had no higher happiness than to learn, respecting those who regarded him as their spiritual father, that they were steadfast in their adherence to the doctrines of religion. The same thing may be said now

(a.) of all the ministers of the gospel, that their highest comfort is found in the fact that those to whom they minister, whether still under their care or removed from them, persevere in a steadfast attachment to the true doctrines of religion, and live accordingly; and

(b.) of all Christian parents respecting their own children. The highest joy that a Christian parent can have is to know that his children, whether at home or abroad, adhere to the truths of religion, and live in accordance with the requirements of the gospel of Christ. If a child wished to confer the highest possible happiness on his parents when with them, it would be by becoming a decided Christian; if, when abroad, in foreign lands or his own, he wished to convey intelligence to them that would most thrill their hearts with joy, it would be to announce to them that he had given his heart to God. There is no joy in a family like that when children are converted; there is no news that comes from abroad that diffuses so much happiness through the domestic circle as the intelligence that a child is truly converted to the Saylout. There is nothing that would give more peace to the dying pillow of the Christian parent, than to be able to leave the world with the assurance that his children would always walk in truth.

(b) "joy" Prov 23:24

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 4 To hear that my children - From this it has been inferred that Caius was one of St. John's converts, and consequently not the Corinthian Caius, who was converted, most probably, by St. Paul. But the apostle might use the term children here as implying those who were immediately under his pastoral care, and, being an old man, he had a right to use such terms in addressing his juniors both in age and grace; and there is much both of propriety and dignity in the appellation coming from such a person.

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 1:4 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.

μειζοτέρανmeizoteranGreaterG3173
τούτωνtoutōnthan these thingsG3778
οὐκouknotG3756
ἔχωechōI haveG2192
χαρὰνcharanjoyG5479
ἵναinathatG2443
ἀκούωakouōI may hear ofG191
τὰta<the>G3588
ἐμὰemamyG1473
τέκναteknachildrenG5043
ἐνeninG1722
ἀληθείᾳalētheiatruthG225
περιπατοῦντα.peripatountawalking.G4043

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

Cross references for 3 John 1:4

  • Galatians 4:19

    My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,

  • Proverbs 23:24

    The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him.

  • 2 Timothy 1:2

    To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

  • 1 Timothy 1:2

    Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.

  • 2 Kings 20:3

    I beseech thee, O Lord, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.

  • 1 Kings 2:4

    That the Lord may continue his word which he spake concerning me, saying, If thy children take heed to their way, to walk before me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, there shall not fail thee (said he) a man on the throne of Israel.

  • Galatians 2:14

    But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?

  • Philemon 1:10

    I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:

  • 1 Kings 3:6

    And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day.

  • John 12:35-36

    Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.

  • Psalms 26:1-3

    A Psalm of David. Judge me, O Lord; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the Lord; therefore I shall not slide. Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; try my reins and my heart. For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth.

  • Isaiah 8:18

    Behold, I and the children whom the Lord hath given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the Lord of hosts, which dwelleth in mount Zion.

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
have.
Pr 23:24
that.
Isa 8:18; 1Co 4:15; Ga 4:19; Phm 1:10
walk.
1Ki 2:4; 3:6; 2Ki 20:3; Ps 26:1-3; Isa 38:3; Joh 12:35,36; Ga 2:14

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

Context

  • 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.

  • 3 John 1:5

    Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;

Read all of 3 John 1

3 John 1:4 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		No tengo yo mayor gozo que éste, el oir que mis hijos andan en la verdad.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Je n’ai pas de plus grande joie que ceci, c’est que j’entende dire que mes enfants marchent dans la vérité.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Ich habe keine größere Freude als dies, daß ich höre, daß meine Kinder in der Wahrheit wandeln.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Majorem horum non habeo gratiam, quam ut audiam filios meos in veritate ambulare.