Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 3 John 1:4

"Greater joy have I none than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth." — 3 John 1:4 (ASV)

John now comments on his reaction to Gaius’s stand for the truth. There is no more important news he can receive, no greater joy he can experience, than that his own “children” (i.e., his own converts to the faith) are living in faithfulness “to the truth.” The word “children” could, of course, designate any for whom John feels pastoral responsibility (cf. 1Jn 2:13a).