I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.
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.
- BSB I was overjoyed to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father has commanded us.
- 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 rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.
- Eph 5:8For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
- 1 Jn 2:6He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
- Eph 5:2And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
- Hos 14:9Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the LORD are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein.
- 1 Jn 1:6–7If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
- Mal 2:6The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips: he walked with me in peace and equity, and did turn many away from iniquity.
- 1 Th 3:6–10But 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:
- Gal 2:14But 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?
- Phil 4:10But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.
- 1 Th 2:19–20For 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?
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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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