Revised Literal Translation
2 John 1:12
12Having 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.
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 there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: 11For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds. 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. 13The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen.
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
- 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 16:12I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
- 3 John 1:13I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee:
- Romans 15:24Whensoever I take my journey into Spain, I will come to you: for I trust to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way thitherward by you, if first I be somewhat filled with your company.
- 1 Corinthians 16:5Now I will come unto you, when I shall pass through Macedonia: for I do pass through Macedonia.
- Philemon 1:22But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.
- Hebrews 13:19But I beseech you the rather to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.
- Numbers 12:8With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of Yhwh shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?
- John 15:11These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
- John 16:24Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
- John 17:13And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.
- 2 Timothy 1:4Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy;
- 1 John 1:4And these things write we unto 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
In the dictionaries
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
Revised Literal Translation — © 2018 Michael W. Jones, Sr. — GPL
Commentaries