2 John 1:4
New International Version
It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us.

New Living Translation
How happy I was to meet some of your children and find them living according to the truth, just as the Father commanded.

English Standard Version
I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we were commanded by the Father.

Berean Standard Bible
I was overjoyed to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father has commanded us.

Berean Literal Bible
I rejoiced exceedingly that I have found some of your children walking in truth, just as we have received a commandment from the Father.

King James Bible
I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.

New King James Version
I rejoiced greatly that I have found some of your children walking in truth, as we received commandment from the Father.

New American Standard Bible
I was overjoyed to find some of your children walking in truth, just as we have received a commandment to do from the Father.

NASB 1995
I was very glad to find some of your children walking in truth, just as we have received commandment to do from the Father.

NASB 1977
I was very glad to find some of your children walking in truth, just as we have received commandment to do from the Father.

Legacy Standard Bible
I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in truth, just as we received commandment from the Father.

Amplified Bible
I was greatly delighted to find some of your children walking in truth, just as we have been commanded by the Father.

Christian Standard Bible
I was very glad to find some of your children walking in truth, in keeping with a command we have received from the Father.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
I was very glad to find some of your children walking in the truth, in keeping with a command we have received from the Father.

American Standard Version
I rejoice greatly that I have found certain of thy children walking in truth, even as we received commandment from the Father.

Contemporary English Version
I was very glad to learn that some of your children are obeying the truth, as the Father told us to do.

English Revised Version
I rejoice greatly that I have found certain of thy children walking in truth, even as we received commandment from the Father.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I was very happy to find some of your children living in the truth as the Father has commanded us.

Good News Translation
How happy I was to find that some of your children live in the truth, just as the Father commanded us.

International Standard Version
I was overjoyed to find some of your children living truthfully, just as the Father has commanded us.

Majority Standard Bible
I was overjoyed to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father has commanded us.

NET Bible
I rejoiced greatly because I have found some of your children living according to the truth, just as the Father commanded us.

New Heart English Bible
I rejoice greatly that I have found some of your children walking in truth, even as we have been commanded by the Father.

Webster's Bible Translation
I rejoiced greatly, that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.

Weymouth New Testament
It is an intense joy to me to have found some of your children living true Christian lives, in obedience to the command which we have received from the Father.

World English Bible
I rejoice greatly that I have found some of your children walking in truth, even as we have been commanded by the Father.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
I rejoiced exceedingly that I have found of your children walking in truth, even as we received a command from the Father;

Berean Literal Bible
I rejoiced exceedingly that I have found some of your children walking in truth, just as we have received a commandment from the Father.

Young's Literal Translation
I rejoiced exceedingly that I have found of thy children walking in truth, even as a command we did receive from the Father;

Smith's Literal Translation
I was greatly rejoiced that I found of thy children walking about in the truth, as we received a command from the Father.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
I was exceeding glad, that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.

Catholic Public Domain Version
I was very glad because I discovered some of your sons walking in the truth, just as we received the commandment from the Father.

New American Bible
I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth just as we were commanded by the Father.

New Revised Standard Version
I was overjoyed to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we have been commanded by the Father.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
I rejoiced greatly that I found some of your children living in the truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
I rejoiced much when I found some of your children walking in truth, according to the commandment which we have received from The Father.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
I rejoiced greatly because I found some of your children walking in the truth, as we received commandment from the Father.

Godbey New Testament
I rejoice exceedingly because I have found some of thy children walking about in truth, as we received commandment from the Father.

Haweis New Testament
I rejoiced greatly that I found thy children walking in truth, as we have received commandment from the Father.

Mace New Testament
It was a great satisfaction to me, to see the conduct of your children, was so agreeable to the directions, we received from the father.

Weymouth New Testament
It is an intense joy to me to have found some of your children living true Christian lives, in obedience to the command which we have received from the Father.

Worrell New Testament
I rejoiced exceedingly, because I have found some of your children walking in truth, even as we received commandment from the Father.

Worsley New Testament
I rejoiced greatly that I found among thy children such as walked in truth, as we received commandment from the Father.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Walking in the Truth
3Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, will be with us in truth and love. 4I was overjoyed to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father has commanded us. 5And now I urge you, dear lady—not as a new commandment to you, but one we have had from the beginning—that we love one another.…

Cross References
3 John 1:3-4
For I was overjoyed when the brothers came and testified about your devotion to the truth, in which you continue to walk. / I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

1 John 2:4-6
If anyone says, “I know Him,” but does not keep His commandments, he is a liar, and the truth is not in him. / But if anyone keeps His word, the love of God has been truly perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him: / Whoever claims to abide in Him must walk as Jesus walked.

John 14:6
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

John 8:31-32
So He said to the Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples. / Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

1 John 1:6-7
If we say we have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. / But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

Ephesians 5:8-10
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light, / for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth. / Test and prove what pleases the Lord.

1 John 3:18-19
Little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth. / And by this we will know that we belong to the truth, and will assure our hearts in His presence:

1 John 5:3
For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome,

John 17:17
Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth.

1 Peter 1:22
Since you have purified your souls by obedience to the truth so that you have a genuine love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from a pure heart.

1 John 2:24
As for you, let what you have heard from the beginning remain in you. If it does, you will also remain in the Son and in the Father.

1 John 4:6
We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. That is how we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of deception.

1 Corinthians 13:6
Love takes no pleasure in evil, but rejoices in the truth.

Psalm 119:1-3
Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the Law of the LORD. / Blessed are those who keep His testimonies and seek Him with all their heart. / They do no iniquity; they walk in His ways.

Psalm 86:11
Teach me Your way, O LORD, that I may walk in Your truth. Give me an undivided heart, that I may fear Your name.


Treasury of Scripture

I rejoiced greatly that I found of your children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.

rejoiced.

Philippians 4:10
But 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 Thessalonians 2:19,20
For 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? …

1 Thessalonians 3:6-10
But 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: …

walking.

Hosea 14:9
Who 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.

Malachi 2:6
The 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.

Galatians 2:14
But 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?

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2 John 1
1. He exhorts a certain honorable matron, with her children, to persevere in Christian love and belief,
8. lest they lose the reward of their former profession;
10. and to have nothing to do with those seducers that bring not the true doctrine of Christ Jesus.














I was overjoyed
The Greek word for "overjoyed" is "χαίρω" (chairō), which conveys a deep sense of joy and gladness. This expression of joy is not merely a fleeting emotion but a profound spiritual satisfaction. In the context of the early church, where believers faced persecution and doctrinal challenges, the apostle John's joy reflects the triumph of faith and truth in the lives of the believers. It underscores the importance of spiritual victories and the encouragement they bring to church leaders and fellow believers.

to find
The term "to find" comes from the Greek "εὑρίσκω" (heuriskō), which implies a discovery or realization. This suggests that John's encounter with the faithful children was not just expected but a delightful surprise. It highlights the active role of church leaders in seeking out and nurturing the faith of their congregations. The discovery of faithfulness among believers serves as a testament to the enduring work of the Holy Spirit in guiding and preserving the church.

some of your children
The phrase "some of your children" indicates that John is addressing a specific community, likely a local church or group of believers. The term "children" is often used metaphorically in the New Testament to refer to spiritual offspring or disciples. This reflects the familial nature of the early Christian communities, where believers were bound together as a spiritual family. The use of "some" suggests that not all were walking in truth, which serves as both an encouragement for those who are faithful and a gentle admonition for those who may have strayed.

walking in the truth
"Walking" in the Greek is "περιπατέω" (peripateō), which means to conduct one's life or to live. "In the truth" refers to living according to the teachings of Christ and the apostles. This phrase emphasizes the practical outworking of faith in daily life. It is not enough to merely know the truth; one must live it. This concept of walking in truth is central to Johannine theology, where truth is both a doctrinal and ethical reality. It calls believers to a consistent and authentic Christian lifestyle.

just as the Father has commanded us
This phrase underscores the divine authority behind the call to live in truth. The "Father" refers to God, emphasizing the relationship between believers and God as one of obedience and love. The use of "commanded" (Greek "ἐντολή" - entolē) indicates that walking in truth is not optional but a divine mandate. This reflects the covenantal relationship between God and His people, where His commands are given for their good and His glory. It also ties back to the teachings of Jesus, who emphasized obedience to God's commandments as a demonstration of love for Him (John 14:15).

(2) St. John had lately had opportunity of observing bow some of the matron's children proved their adherence to the truth by their daily conduct. Having congratulated her about this, he states the chief thing which he desires of her: the pure Christian love which implies every other grace and virtue; in other words, walking after the divine commandments. That this love should be pure, that these commandments should be unimpaired, it was necessary to remember that nothing new could be added to the original message of Christ. This warning was timely, because many errors had already appeared, especially that greatest error which denied the Incarnation. The family must, therefore, be on its guard, lest it should be cheated of its reward. The test was very simple: any advance beyond the doctrine of Christ. It would be better for the family not to entertain in their house any who had committed themselves to these doctrines of development (2John 1:4-11).

(2 a.) (4) I rejoiced . . .--Comp. Romans 1:8; 1Corinthians 1:4; 2Corinthians 1:3; Ephesians 1:3; Philippians 1:3; Colossians 1:3. . . .

Verse 4. - I rejoice greatly that I have found (certain) of thy children walking in truth. The Revised Version is certainly right in rendering εὕρηκα "I have found" rather than "I found;" and it is probably right in rendering ἐχάρην "I rejoice" rather than "I rejoiced." It looks like the idiomatic "epistolary aorist," of which we have had probable instances in 1 John 2:21 and 26. In this idiom the point of view of the recipient of the letter is taken instead of that of the writer. In Latin the imperfect is used in a similar way - scribebam, dabamus; and sometimes the perfect, scripsi, misi, and the like (comp. Acts 23:30; Philippians 2:25, 28; Philemon 1:11, 19, 21. See Moulton's Winer, page 347). We are probably to understand this verse as a gentle intimation on the part of the elder that he has reason to know that certain others of her children are not walking in truth. Through the elect lady's too indiscriminate hospitality, some of her children have been seduced by the deceivers who have come to her bringing other doctrine than that of Christ.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
I was overjoyed
Ἐχάρην (Echarēn)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 5463: A primary verb; to be 'cheer'ful, i.e. Calmly happy or well-off; impersonally, especially as salutation, be well.

to
ὅτι (hoti)
Conjunction
Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.

find
εὕρηκα (heurēka)
Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 2147: A prolonged form of a primary heuro, which heureo is used for it in all the tenses except the present and imperfect to find.

[some] of
ἐκ (ek)
Preposition
Strong's 1537: From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.

your
σου (sou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

children
τέκνων (teknōn)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 5043: A child, descendent, inhabitant. From the base of timoria; a child.

walking
περιπατοῦντας (peripatountas)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4043: From peri and pateo; to tread all around, i.e. Walk at large; figuratively, to live, deport oneself, follow.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

[the] truth,
ἀληθείᾳ (alētheia)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 225: From alethes; truth.

just as
καθὼς (kathōs)
Adverb
Strong's 2531: According to the manner in which, in the degree that, just as, as. From kata and hos; just as, that.

the
τοῦ (tou)
Article - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Father
Πατρός (Patros)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3962: Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a 'father'.

has commanded
ἐντολὴν (entolēn)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1785: An ordinance, injunction, command, law. From entellomai; injunction, i.e. An authoritative prescription.

[us].
ἐλάβομεν (elabomen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 2983: (a) I receive, get, (b) I take, lay hold of.


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NT Letters: 2 John 1:4 I rejoice greatly that I have found (2J iiJ 2Jn ii jn 2 jo)
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