New King James Version
3 John 1:13
13I had many things to write, but I do not wish to write to you with pen and ink;
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 Living Translation (NLT)I have much more to say to you, but I don’t want to write it with pen and ink.
Context of 3 John 1:13
11Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God. 12Demetrius has a good testimony from all, and from the truth itself. And we also bear witness, and you know that our testimony is true. I had many things to write, but I do not wish to write to you with pen and ink; 14but I hope to see you shortly, and we shall speak face to face. Peace to you. Our friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.
Read all of 3 John 13 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
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
In the dictionaries
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
New King James Version — © 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc
Commentaries