John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 4. I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children , etc.] Not all, but some of them; for good parents have not always good children, or at least not all of them; Adam had a Cain, Abraham an Ishmael, and Isaac an Esau:
God is pleased to show his discriminating grace in tribes and families, by taking some, and leaving others: it is a great mercy when any are called by grace, and instead of the fathers are the children: and this was the case of some of the children of this elect lady, they were walking in the truth : in Christ, the truth, by faith, as they had received him; and in the truth of the Gospel, as they had embraced and professed it; they abode in it, and by it, and made a proficiency in the knowledge of it, which may be signified by walking, that being a progressive action: as also they walked according to it, and as became it; and likewise they walked in the truth of Gospel worship, discipline, and ordinances: as we have received a commandment from the Father ; and which has been made known by Jesus Christ, as his mind and will. Now as it is matter of joy and gladness to godly parents when their children walk in the paths of faith, truth, and holiness, so it is also to ministers of the Gospel, as well as to the angels in heaven; it gives them an inward pleasure and joy, and which is not only expressed by them, to such children and their parents, but is also abundant by many thanksgivings unto God.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 4-6 - It is good to be trained to early religion; and children may be belove for their parents' sake. It gave great joy to the apostle to se children treading in their parents' steps, and likely in their turn to support the gospel. May God bless such families more and more, an 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 right, when according to the word of God. This commandment of mutual Christian love, may be said to be a new one, in respect of its being declared by the Lord Christ; yet as to the matter, it is old. And this is love to our own souls, that we obey the Divine commands. The foresight of the decay of this love, a well as of other apostacies, or fallings away, might engage the apostl to urge this duty, and this command, frequently and earnestly.
Greek Textus Receptus
εχαρην 5463 5644 V-2AOI-1S λιαν 3029 ADV οτι 3754 CONJ ευρηκα 2147 5758 V-RAI-1S εκ 1537 PREP των 3588 T-GPN τεκνων 5043 N-GPN σου 4675 P-2GS περιπατουντας 4043 5723 V-PAP-APM εν 1722 PREP αληθεια 225 N-DSF καθως 2531 ADV εντολην 1785 N-ASF ελαβομεν 2983 5627 V-2AAI-1P παρα 3844 PREP του 3588 T-GSM πατρος 3962 N-GSM
Vincent's NT Word Studies
4. I rejoiced. Expressions of thankful joy are common in the Pauline salutations. See Romans, 1 Corinthians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, Philemon.Greatly (lian). The word is found in John's writings only here and 3 John 3.
I found (eurhka). See on John i. 41. Rev., I have found.
Of thy children (ek twn teknwn). The rendering is obscure. Rev., rightly, supplies certain. Compare John xvi. 17.
In truth (en alhqeia). Compare 3 John 3. See on 1 John i. 8.
