3 John 1:4

4 I could have no greater joy than to hear that my children are following the truth.

3 John 1:4 Meaning and Commentary

3 John 1:4

I have no greater joy
Nothing that causes greater joy. The Vulgate Latin version reads "grace" or "thanks"; and then the sense is, that he had nothing to be more thankful for:

than to hear that my children walk in truth;
meaning his spiritual children, those whose conversion he had been the instrument of; and among these it seems Gaius was one.

3 John 1:4 In-Context

2 Dear friend, I hope all is well with you and that you are as healthy in body as you are strong in spirit.

3 Some of the traveling teachers recently returned and made me very happy by telling me about your faithfulness and that you are living according to the truth.

4 I could have no greater joy than to hear that my children are following the truth.

5 Dear friend, you are being faithful to God when you care for the traveling teachers who pass through, even though they are strangers to you.

6 They have told the church here of your loving friendship. Please continue providing for such teachers in a manner that pleases God.