3 John 1:4
What does 3 John 1:4 mean?
A plain-English look at 3 John 1:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 3 John 1:4 means
John declares that his greatest joy is hearing that his “children” are walking in the truth. He regards believers nurtured under his ministry as his spiritual offspring, and their faithful living confirms the fruit of his labor. This is not pride in personal success but delight that God’s truth is shaping real lives. For John, truth is not just doctrine to be recited; it is a path to be walked. The verse reveals pastoral priorities: the measure of ministry is not numbers or novelty, but disciples who continue in truth. It also frames the letter’s encouragements and warnings as a fatherly effort to keep children on the right path.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Greater joy have I none than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.
KJV
King James Version · 1611I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Greater joy have I none than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949I have no greater joy than to have news that my children are walking in the true way.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862greater than these things I have no joy, that I may hear of my children in truth walking.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752I have no greater grace than this, to hear that my children walk in truth.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890I have no greater joy than these things that I hear of my children walking in the truth.
Context
Building on the happy report of Gaius’s consistent life (v. 3), John generalizes the joy he feels whenever believers endure in truth. This heightens the significance of the practical instructions that follow regarding hospitality (vv. 5–8). The pastoral heartbeat here also intensifies the sorrow and seriousness of what John will say about Diotrephes (vv. 9–10), whose actions threaten believers’ walk. The contrast underscores why John cares so deeply: walking in truth is the church’s true health, and it must be guarded.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Kings 20:3
Remember now, O Jehovah, I beseech thee, 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 3:6
And Solomon said, Thou hast showed unto thy servant David my father great lovingkindness, 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 lovingkindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day.
- Isaiah 38:3
and said, Remember now, O Jehovah, I beseech thee, 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.
- 2 Timothy 1:2
to Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
- John 12:35
Jesus therefore said unto them, Yet a little while is the light among you. Walk while ye have the light, that darkness overtake you not: and he that walketh in the darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.
- Philemon 1:10
I beseech thee for my child, whom I have begotten in my bonds, Onesimus,
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