I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
I. John receives a good report of Gaius's faith and charity from the brethren. Gaius’s love for the brethren and hospitality to strangers proves his sincerity in the faith. II. Gaius is commended for his hospitality, a virtue extended to strangers and those of different churches. III. John expresses great joy in hearing of Gaius's walk in truth.
Commenting on 3 John 1:3-8
I have no greater joy,.... Nothing that causes greater joy. The Vulgate Latin version reads "grace" or "thanks"; and then the sense is, that he had nothing to be more thankful for: than to hear that my children walk in truth; meaning his spiritual children, those whose conversion he had been the instrument of; and among these it seems Gaius was one.
Verse 4. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. That they adhere steadfastly to the truth, and that they live in accordance with it. This is such language as would be used by an aged apostle when speaking of those who had been converted by his instrumentality, and who looked up to him as a father; and we...