4 I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.
This reinforces the statement John had just made, but he takes his praise here one step further. In verse three he had great joy to know Gaius was in the truth, but to John he took his greatest joy in seeing his children (the churches in Asia minor who were under his pastoral care, or possibly ones he helped to convert) give their lives in service to Christ. Children in this context is plural, and this was often a term Paul used when referring to his own converts (see 1 Cor 4:14, Gal 4:19, Phil 2:22). He had a father like love for all of the saints who were within his sphere of influence in his ministry and so should any good pastor. The ultimate goal of a pastor is to see those entrusted to him know, believe, and live out the gospel message in their lives. He was not one who acted as a lord over God's heritage, but looked after his flock with tender care. If the Christian desires to be an effective servant there should be a harmony between profession and practice which was exactly what John had heard from those who came into contact with Gaius.
This reinforces the statement John had just made, but he takes his praise here one step further. In verse three he had great joy to know Gaius was in the truth, but to John he took his greatest joy in seeing his children (the churches in Asia minor who were under his pastoral care, or possibly ones he helped to convert) give their lives in service to Christ. Children in this context is plural, and this was often a term Paul used when referring to his own converts (see 1 Cor 4:14, Gal 4:19, Phil 2:22). He had a father like love for all of the saints who were within his sphere of influence in his ministry and so should any good pastor. The ultimate goal of a pastor is to see those entrusted to him know, believe, and live out the gospel message in their lives. He was not one who acted as a lord over God's heritage, but looked after his flock with tender care. If the Christian desires to be an effective servant there should be a harmony between profession and practice which was exactly what John had heard from those who came into contact with Gaius.
