3 John 1:13

3 John 1:13 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee:
• New International Version (NIV)I have much to write you, but I do not want to do so with pen and ink.
• English Standard Version (ESV)I had much to write to you, but I would rather not write with pen and ink.
• New King James Version (NKJV)I had many things to write, but I do not wish to write to you with pen and ink;

Context of 3 John 1:13

11Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but [imitate] what is good. The one who practices good [exhibiting godly character, moral courage and personal integrity] is of God; the one who practices [or permits or tolerates] evil has not seen God [he has no personal experience with Him and does not know Him at all]. 12Demetrius has received a good testimony and commendation from everyone—and from the truth [the standard of God’s word] itself; and we add our testimony and speak well of him, and you know that our testimony is true. I had many things [to say when I began] to write to you, but I prefer not to put it down with pen (reed) and black (ink); 14but I hope to see you soon, and we will speak face to face. 15Peace be to you. The friends [here] greet you. Greet the friends [personally] by name.

3 John 1:13 word by word

Πολλὰ εἶχον γράψαι σοι, ἀλλ᾽ οὐ θέλω διὰ μέλανος καὶ καλάμου σοι γράφειν·Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• I hadἔχωechō · to have/beG2192
• many thingsπολύςpolus polos · muchG4183
• to writeγράφωgraphō · to writeG1125
• butἀλλάalla · butG235
• I willθέλωthelō ethelō · to will/desireG2309
• notοὐou · noG3756
• withδιάdia · through/because ofG1223
• inkμέλανmelan · inkG3188
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• penκάλαμοςkalamos · reed/stick/penG2563
• unto theeσύsu · youG4771

Cross-references for 3 John 1:13

• 2 John 1:12I have many things to write to you, but I prefer not to do so with paper (papyrus) and black (ink); but I hope to come to you and speak with you face to face, so that your joy may be complete.

Commentaries on 3 John 1:13

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 13I had many things to write - That is, I have many things that I might write; but having the hope of seeing thee shortly, I will not commit them to paper. Ink and pen are here mentioned; paper and ink in the preceding epistle.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 13I had many things to write … - This Epistle closes, as the second does, with a statement that he had many things to say, but that he preferred waiting until he should see him rather than put them on paper. Perhaps there were some things which he wished to say which he would not like to have exposed to the possibility of being seen by the public eye. But I will not with ink and pen … - Notes at 2 John 1:12.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 13-14Verses 13-14 Here is the character of Demetrius. A name in the gospel, or a good report in the churches, is better than worldly honour. Few are well spoken of by all; and sometimes it is ill to be so. Happy those whose spirit and conduct commend them before God and men. We must be ready to bear our testimony to them; and it is well when those who commend, can appeal to the consciences of such as know most of those who are commended. A personal…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 13with pen and ink (literally ink and reed): n ancient times, people often wrote with a pen made from a reed and with black carbon ink (see also 2 John 1:12).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1313. I will not--rather as Greek, "I wish not ... to write" more.Read the comment

Topics related to 3 John 1:13

• Ink
• Pen

In the dictionaries

• Ink
• New Testament
• Writing

Commentaries on 3 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
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings