This verse further develops “I greatly rejoiced.”

No greater joy can I have than this, to hear that … may have to be restructured; for example, “nothing makes me happier than to hear that…” (Good News Translation), ‘the greatest joy I can have is to hear that…,’ or in two sentences, ‘I always rejoice when I hear that…; there is nothing else I rejoice over so much (or this is the greatest joy I ever have).’ For joy see 1 John 1.4.

For to hear that, or ‘to be told that,’ ‘to learn that,’ compare also comments on 1 John 2.7. The connection with the next clause may have to be specified; for example, ‘to hear a report that,’ ‘to hear (other) people tell that.’

For my children, or ‘those who are to me like children,’ ‘those who belong to (or follow) me,’ ‘my followers/disciples,’ compare also comments on the diminutive form, “my little children,” in 1 John 2.1.

Quoted with permission from Haas, C., de Jonge, M. and Swellengrebel, J.L. A Handbook on The Third Letter of John. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1972. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .