Berean Standard Bible
2 John 1:12
12I have many things to write to you, but I would prefer not to do so with paper and ink. Instead, I hope to come and speak with you face to face,1 so that our joy may be complete.
2 John 1:12 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.
- New International Version (NIV)I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Though I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink. Instead I hope to come to you and talk face to face, so that our joy may be complete.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Having many things to write to you, I did not wish to do so with paper and ink; but I hope to come to you and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.
Context of 2 John 1:12
10If anyone comes to you but does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your home or even greet him. 11Whoever greets such a person shares in his evil deeds. I have many things to write to you, but I would prefer not to do so with paper and ink. Instead, I hope to come and speak with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete. 13The children of your elect sister send you greetings.
Read all of 2 John 12 John 1:12 word by word
Πολλὰ ἔχων ὑμῖν γράφειν οὐκ ἐβουλήθην διὰ χάρτου καὶ μέλανος· ἀλλ᾽ ἐλπίζω γενέσθαι πρὸς ὑμᾶς καὶ στόμα πρὸς στόμα λαλῆσαι ἵνα ἡ χαρὰ ἡμῶν ᾖ.Read the interlinear
- I haveἔχωechō · to have/beG2192
- many thingsπολύςpolus polos · muchG4183
- to writeγράφωgraphō · to writeG1125
- to youσύsu · youG4771
- I would preferβούλομαιboulomai · to planG1014
- notοὐou · noG3756
- withδιάdia · through/because ofG1223
- paperχάρτηςchartēs · paperG5489
- andκαίkai · andG2532
- inkμέλανmelan · inkG3188
- Insteadἀλλάalla · butG235
- I hopeἐλπίζωelpizō · to hope/expectG1679
- to comeγίνομαιginomai · to beG1096
- speakλαλέωlaleō · to speakG2980
- withπρόςpros · to/withG4314
- ·στόμαstoma · mouthG4750
- so thatἵναhina · in order that/toG2443
- ourἐγώegō · I/weG1473
- ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- joyχαράchara · joyG5479
- may beεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
- completeπληρόωplēroō · to fulfillG4137
Cross-references for 2 John 1:12
- John 16:12I still have much to tell you, but you cannot yet bear to hear it.
- 3 John 1:13I have many things to write to you, but I would prefer not to do so with pen and ink.
- Romans 15:24I hope to see you on my way to Spain. And after I have enjoyed your company for a while, you can equip me for my journey.
- 1 Corinthians 16:5After I go through Macedonia, however, I will come to you; for I will be going through Macedonia.
- Philemon 1:22In the meantime, prepare a guest room for me, because I hope that through your prayers I will be restored to you.
- Hebrews 13:19And I especially urge you to pray that I may be restored to you soon.
- Numbers 12:8I speak with him face to face, clearly and not in riddles; he sees the form of the LORD. Why then were you unafraid to speak against My servant Moses?”
- John 15:11I have told you these things so that My joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.
- John 16:24Until now you have not asked for anything in My name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.
- John 17:13But now I am coming to You; and I am saying these things while I am in the world, so that they may have My joy fulfilled within them.
- 2 Timothy 1:4Recalling your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy.
- 1 John 1:4We write these things so that our joy may be complete.
Commentaries on 2 John 1:12
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 12Having many things to write - That is, I have many things that I might write to thee, but I think it best not to commit them to paper, because I hope to visit thee shortly, and speak fully of those matters, which will be a means of increasing the comfort both of thee and thy family, as well as my own. There is more comfort in mutual interviews among friends than in epistolaty correspondence,Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 12Having many things to write unto you - That I would wish to say. This language is such as would be used by one who was hurried, or who was in feeble health, or who hoped soon to see the person written to. In such a case only the points would be selected which were of most immediate and pressing importance, and the remainder would be reserved for a more free personal interview. I would not write with paper - The word “paper” here conveys an idea which is…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 12-13Verses 12-13 The apostle refers many things to a personal meeting. Pen and ink were means of strengthening and comforting others; but to see each other is more so. The communion of saints should be maintained by all methods; and should tend to mutual joy. In communion with them we find much of our present joy, and look forward to happiness for ever.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 12The English expression “face to face” has the same meaning as the Greek expression used here, which is literally “mouth to mouth” (see also 3 John 1:14). so that our joy may be complete: This means that our relationship with Christ is not only a private experience. We experience the greatest joy when we live in peaceful fellowship with other believers.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1212. I would not write--A heart full of love pours itself out more freely face to face, than by letter. paper--made of Egyptian papyrus. Pens were then reeds split. ink--made of soot and water, thickened with gum. Parchment was used for the permanent manuscripts in which the Epistles were preserved. Writing tablets were used merely for temporary purposes, as our slates. face to face--literally, "mouth to mouth." full--Greek, "filled full." Your joy will be…Read the comment
Topics related to 2 John 1:12
In the dictionaries
Notes
- 1. 2 John 1:12 Literally mouth to mouth ↩
Commentaries on 2 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
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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