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 Living Translation (NLT)I have much more to say to you, but I don’t want to do it with paper and ink. For I hope to visit you soon and talk with you face to face. Then our joy will be complete.

Context of 2 John 1:12

10If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; 11for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds. 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. 13The children of your elect sister greet you. Amen.

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 say to you, but you cannot bear them now.
• 3 John 1:13I had many things to write, but I do not wish to write to you with pen and ink;
• Romans 15:24whenever I journey to Spain, I shall come to you. For I hope to see you on my journey, and to be helped on my way there by you, if first I may enjoy your company for a while.
• 1 Corinthians 16:5Now I will come to you when I pass through Macedonia (for I am passing through Macedonia).
• Philemon 1:22But, meanwhile, also prepare a guest room for me, for I trust that through your prayers I shall be granted to you.
• Hebrews 13:19But I especially urge you to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.
• Numbers 12:8I speak with him face to face, Even plainly, and not in dark sayings; And he sees the form of the Lord. Why then were you not afraid To speak against My servant Moses?”
• John 15:11“These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.
• John 16:24Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
• John 17:13But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves.
• 2 Timothy 1:4greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with joy,
• 1 John 1:4And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.

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