For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.
Parallel translations
- WEB For I rejoiced greatly, when brothers came and testified about your truth, even as you walk in truth.
- BSB For I was overjoyed when the brothers came and testified about your devotion to the truth, in which you continue to walk.
- NKJV For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth.
- NASB For I was overjoyed when brothers came and testified to your truth, that is, how you are walking in truth.
- NLT 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.
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
Traveling Christians reported how Gaius was walking faithfully in the truth, which brought John great joy. Consistency between confessed faith and daily life is cause for rejoicing.
Overview
John's joy rests not merely on Gaius holding sound doctrine but on his 'walking in truth,' living it out. The phrase ties together right belief and right conduct, a recurring theme across John's letters. A life shaped by the truth of the gospel becomes visible testimony to others and gladdens those who care for the church.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 11
- 2 Jn 1:4I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.
- 1 Th 3:6–9But 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:
- 2 Jn 1:2For the truth’s sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever.
- Rom 1:8–9First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.
- 3 Jn 1:4I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
- 2 Cor 7:6–7Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;
- Ps 119:11Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
- 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?
- Col 1:7–8As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ;
- Phil 1:4Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,
- Eph 1:15–16Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,
Resources, by level
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Christ at the center
Faithful love shown for the sake of 'the Name' is service rendered to Christ, who is the truth in which his people walk.
How 3 John 1:3 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
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.