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 house, and do not give him a greeting; 11for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds. Though I have many things to write to you, I do not want to do so with paper and ink; but I hope to come to you and speak face to face, so that your joy may be made complete. 13The children of your chosen sister greet you.

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

• Though I haveἔχωechō · to have/beG2192
• manyπολύςpolus polos · muchG4183
• to writeγράφωgraphō · to writeG1125
• to you, I do not wantβούλομαιboulomai · to planG1014
• with paperχάρτηςchartēs · paperG5489
• and inkμέλαςmelas · blackG3189
• but I hopeἐλπίζωelpizō · to hope/expectG1679
• to comeγίνομαιginomai · to beG1096
• to you and speakλαλέωlaleō · to speakG2980
• faceστόμαstoma · mouthG4750
• soἵναhina · in order that/toG2443
• joyχαράchara · joyG5479
• may be madeπληρόωplēroō · to fulfillG4137

Cross-references for 2 John 1:12

• John 16:12“I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them at the present time.
• 3 John 1:13I had many things to write to you, but I do not want to write to you with pen and ink;
• Romans 15:24whenever I go to Spain--for I hope to see you in passing, and to be helped on my way there by you, when I have first enjoyed your company for a while--
• 1 Corinthians 16:5But I will come to you after I go through Macedonia; for I am going through Macedonia,
• Philemon 1:22At the same time also prepare me a guest room, for I hope that through your prayers I will be given to you.
• Hebrews 13:19And I urge you all the more to do this, so that I may be restored to you more quickly.
• Numbers 12:8With him I speak mouth to mouth, That is, openly, and not using mysterious language, And he beholds the form of the Lord. So why were you not afraid To speak against My servant, against Moses?”
• John 15:11These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.
• John 16:24Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full.
• John 17:13But now I am coming to You; and these things I speak in the world so that they may have My joy made full in themselves.
• 2 Timothy 1:4longing to see you, even as I recall your tears, so that I may be filled with joy.
• 1 John 1:4These things we write, so that our joy may be made 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