English Standard Version
2 John 1:4
4I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we were commanded by the Father.
2 John 1:4 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.
- New International Version (NIV)It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us.
- New King James Version (NKJV)I rejoiced greatly that I have found some of your children walking in truth, as we received commandment from the Father.
- New Living Translation (NLT)How happy I was to meet some of your children and find them living according to the truth, just as the Father commanded.
Context of 2 John 1:4
2because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever: 3Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father's Son, in truth and love. I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we were commanded by the Father. 5And now I ask you, dear lady—not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but the one we have had from the beginning—that we love one another. 6And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it.
Read all of 2 John 12 John 1:4 word by word
Ἐχάρην λίαν ὅτι εὕρηκα ἐκ τῶν τέκνων σου περιπατοῦντας ἐν ἀληθείᾳ καθὼς ἐντολὴν ἐλάβομεν παρὰ τοῦ πατρός.Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- I rejoicedχαίρωchairō · to rejoiceG5463
- greatlyλίανlian · greatlyG3029
- thatὅτιhoti · that/since: thatG3754
- I foundεὑρίσκωheuriskō · to find/meetG2147
- ofἐκek ex · out fromG1537
- thyσύsu · youG4771
- childrenὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- childrenτέκνονteknon · childG5043
- walkingπεριπατέωperipateō · to walkG4043
- inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
- truthἀλήθειαalētheia · truthG225
- asκαθώςkathōs · as/just asG2531
- we have receivedλαμβάνωlambanō · to takeG2983
- a commandmentἐντολήentolē · commandmentG1785
- fromπαράpara · from/with/besideG3844
- the Fatherπατήρpatēr · fatherG3962
Cross-references for 2 John 1:4
- Philippians 4:10I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:19For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you?
- 1 Thessalonians 3:6But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, as we long to see you—
- 3 John 1:3For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified to your truth, as indeed you are walking in the truth.
- Hosea 14:9Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them; for the ways of the Lord are right, and the upright walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them.
- Malachi 2:6True instruction was in his mouth, and no wrong was found on his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness, and he turned many from iniquity.
- Galatians 2:14But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, "If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?"
- Ephesians 5:2And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
- 1 John 1:6If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.
- 1 John 2:6whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.
Commentaries on 2 John 1:4
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 4That I found of thy children walking in truth - I have already supposed this Christian matron to be mother of a family, probably a widow, for no mention is made of her husband; and that she was also a deaconess in the church, and one in those house the traveling evangelists preached, and there they were entertained. The children mentioned here may either be her own children, or those members of the Church which were under her care, or some of both. The…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 4I rejoiced greatly that I found - That I learned this fact respecting some of thy children. The apostle does not say how he had learned this. It may have been that he had become personally acquainted with them when they were away from their home, or that he had learned it from others. The word used ̔́ heurēkawould apply to either method. Grotius supposed that some of the sons had come to Ephesus on business, and that John had become acquainted with…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 4-6Verses 4-6 It is good to be trained to early religion; and children may be beloved for their parents' sake. It gave great joy to the apostle to see children treading in their parents' steps, and likely in their turn to support the gospel. May God bless such families more and more, and raise up many to copy their example. How pleasing the contrast to numbers who spread irreligion, infidelity, and vice, among their children! Our walk is true, our converse…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 4-11John now applies the truth and love that he mentioned in the introduction (1:1–3) to the situation of those he is writing to. Living in truth and love means maintaining unity or fellowship with true Christians (1:4–6). It also involves recognizing false teachers and choosing not to listen to or support them (1:7–11).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 44. I found--probably in one of his missionary tours of superintendence. See Introduction, at the end, and 2Jo 12; 3Jo 10, 14. of thy children--some. in truth--that is, in the Gospel truth. as--even as. "The Father's commandment" is the standard of "the truth."Read the comment
Topics related to 2 John 1:4
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on 2 John 1
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries