2 John 1:12

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 and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your home, and do not greet him; 11for the one who greets him shares in his evil works. Though I have many things to write to you, I don’t want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to come to you and talk face to face so that our joy may be complete. 13The children of your elect sister send you greetings.

2 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

Words taken from the KJV.

• Havingἔχωechō · to have/beG2192
• manyπολύςpolus polos · muchG4183
• things to writeγράφωgraphō · to writeG1125
• unto youσύsu · youG4771
• I wouldβούλομαιboulomai · to planG1014
• notοὐou · noG3756
• withδιάdia · through/because ofG1223
• paperχάρτηςchartēs · paperG5489
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• inkμέλανmelan · inkG3188
• butἀλλάalla · butG235
• I trustἐλπίζωelpizō · to hope/expectG1679
• to comeἔρχομαιerchomai · to come/goG2064
• untoπρόςpros · to/withG4314
• speakλαλέωlaleō · to speakG2980
• faceστόμαstoma · mouthG4750
• thatἵναhina · in order that/toG2443
• ourἐγώegō · I/weG1473
• joyὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• joyχαράchara · joyG5479
• may beεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• fullπληρόωplēroō · to fulfillG4137

Cross-references for 2 John 1:12

• John 16:12“I still have many things to tell you, but you can’t bear them now.
• 3 John 1:13I have many things to write you, but I don’t want to write to you with pen and ink.
• Romans 15:24whenever I travel to Spain. For I hope to see you when I pass through and to be assisted by you for my journey there, once I have first enjoyed your company for a while.
• 1 Corinthians 16:5I will come to you after I pass through Macedonia — for I will be traveling through Macedonia —
• Philemon 1:22Meanwhile, also prepare a guest room for me, since I hope that through your prayers I will be restored to you.
• Hebrews 13:19And I urge you all the more to pray that I may be restored to you very soon.
• Numbers 12:8I speak with him directly, openly, and not in riddles; he sees the form of the Lord. So why were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?”
• John 15:11“I 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 asked for nothing in my name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.
• John 17:13Now I am coming to you, and I speak these things in the world so that they may have my joy completed in them.
• 2 Timothy 1:4Remembering your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy.
• 1 John 1:4We are writing 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

• Ink
• Paper

In the dictionaries

• Paper
• Trust
• Crafts
• Ink
• New Testament
• Writing

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