I was overjoyed to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father has commanded us.
Parallel translations
- WEB I rejoice greatly that I have found some of your children walking in truth, even as we have been commanded by the Father.
- KJV I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.
- NKJV I rejoiced greatly that I have found some of your children walking in truth, as we received commandment from the Father.
- NASB I was overjoyed to find some of your children walking in truth, just as we have received a commandment to do from the Father.
- NLT How happy I was to meet some of your children and find them living according to the truth, just as the Father commanded.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
John rejoices to have found some of the lady's children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded. Faithful obedience to the gospel brings real joy to those who shepherd God's people.
Overview
John's joy is pastoral, delighting that members of this community are living out the truth they profess. "Walking in truth" means a life of ongoing obedience and faithfulness, not merely correct belief. The phrase "some of your children" may simply reflect those John has personally encountered rather than implying others had fallen away, and it sets up his coming appeal to love and to guard against error.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 11
- 3 Jn 1:3–4For I was overjoyed when the brothers came and testified about your devotion to the truth, in which you continue to walk.
- Eph 5:8For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light,
- 1 Jn 2:6Whoever claims to abide in Him must walk as Jesus walked.
- Eph 5:2and walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant sacrificial offering to God.
- Hos 14:9Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them. For the ways of the LORD are right, and the righteous walk in them but the rebellious stumble in them.
- 1 Jn 1:6–7If we say we have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.
- Mal 2:6True instruction was in his mouth, and nothing false was found on his lips. He walked with Me in peace and uprightness, and he turned many from iniquity.
- 1 Th 3:6–10But just now, Timothy has returned from his visit with the good news about your faith, your love, and the fond memories you have preserved, longing to see us just as we long to see you.
- Gal 2:14When I saw that they were not walking in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in front of them all, “If you, who are a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?”
- Phil 4:10Now I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.
- 1 Th 2:19–20After all, who is our hope, our joy, our crown of boasting, if it is not you yourselves in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming?
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
To walk in truth and love is to abide in 'the teaching of Christ'; whoever has the Son has both the Father and life.
How 2 John 1:4 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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