2 John 1:12 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.

2 John 1:12 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.

2 John 1:12 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.

2 John 1:12 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.

2 John 1:12 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.

2 John 1 verses

2 John 1 12 Meaning

Second John 1:12 conveys the Apostle John's strong desire to communicate vital truths not through the limited medium of writing, but by a personal visit. His intention is to impart "many things" directly, speaking "face to face," because he believes that such intimate interaction is essential for him and the recipients to experience a complete, abounding, and shared joy in the Lord.

2 John 1 12 Context

The Elder, likely the Apostle John, addresses "the chosen lady and her children," a metaphorical or literal representation of a specific church and its members, or perhaps a Christian woman and her family. The letter, though brief, carries an urgent pastoral warning against itinerant false teachers who deny the true humanity of Christ. These "deceivers" (Gk. planos, "wanderer, imposter") threaten the purity of the Gospel and the community's adherence to the truth, risking the loss of their reward in Christ. Given the gravity of the spiritual danger, John concludes his short letter by explaining that he prefers to delay addressing more complex or sensitive issues in writing. Instead, he wishes to travel to them and engage in direct, personal conversation. In the ancient world, written communication on papyrus (chartou) and ink (melanos) was costly, time-consuming, and prone to misinterpretation without the presence of the writer to clarify or provide emotional nuance. John's longing for a face-to-face encounter, symbolized by the idiom "mouth to mouth" (stoma pros stoma), signifies his desire for deeper fellowship, clearer instruction on combating heresy, and a shared spiritual completion, culminating in a mutual and abounding "joy." His preferred method emphasizes the vital role of relational presence in apostolic ministry, especially concerning nuanced doctrinal instruction and sensitive pastoral care where false teachings are at play.

2 John 1 12 Word analysis

• Having many things to write to you:

  • many things (Gk. polla): Implies a multitude of topics, likely complex or delicate matters such as deeper doctrinal explanations, further warnings against false teachers, or practical church matters. These could not be adequately addressed in a short letter.
  • to write (Gk. graphein): Refers to the act of recording on material. John acknowledges the value of writing (he has already written to them, as seen in his Epistles) but recognizes its limitations for certain contexts.
  • Significance: Highlights the vastness of divine truth and the multifaceted challenges faced by early Christian communities.

• I did not wish to do so with paper and ink:

  • paper (Gk. chartou): Refers to papyrus, the common writing material of the time, made from the pith of the papyrus plant. It was relatively expensive, especially for longer texts.
  • ink (Gk. melanos): Usually a mixture of soot, gum, and water.
  • Significance: Emphasizes the limitations of written communication. Writing lacks tone, body language, the ability to answer immediate questions, or engage in nuanced discussion, all crucial when dealing with subtle heresies or building strong personal bonds. The expense and effort also indicate that long dissertations were not the goal of this specific brief letter.

• but I hope to come to you and speak face to face:

  • hope (Gk. elpidō): Expresses a strong desire and expectation.
  • to come to you (Gk. elthein pros hymas): John's personal commitment to visiting the recipients, showcasing pastoral care beyond mere written correspondence.
  • speak face to face (Gk. stoma pros stoma, literally "mouth to mouth"): An idiomatic expression common in both Greek and Old Testament contexts (e.g., Num 12:8; Ex 33:11 for God's direct communication with Moses). It signifies direct, unmediated, and intimate conversation. It implies transparency, clarity, and the ability to discern and respond immediately.
  • Significance: Direct interaction allows for more comprehensive teaching, personal encouragement, immediate correction of misunderstandings, and fostering of deeper fellowship, especially crucial when battling subtle heresies spread by those who "do not bring this teaching" (2 Jn 1:10). This contrasts with the secretive or deceptive methods of the false teachers.

• that our joy may be full:

  • our joy (Gk. hē chara hēmōn): Points to a shared, mutual joy between the Apostle John and the believing community. This joy is rooted in truth, fellowship, and communion with God.
  • may be full (Gk. peplēromenē ē): From pleroō, meaning "to fill, make full, complete, fulfill." Here in the perfect passive participle, suggesting a state of being fully filled or completed. It implies abundance, completeness, and perfection of joy. This isn't merely temporary happiness but deep, abiding spiritual gladness.
  • Significance: The ultimate purpose of John's desired visit and direct communication is not simply to convey information, but to perfect their shared spiritual experience and joy in Christ. Fullness of joy comes from deep, true fellowship grounded in truth, especially vital amidst attempts to corrupt doctrine. It reflects the outcome of sound teaching, faithful obedience, and mutual spiritual nourishment.

2 John 1 12 Bonus section

The longing for personal presence reflected in this verse resonates deeply with the incarnational aspect of Christianity – God's truth revealed not merely in texts, but in the Person of Jesus Christ. John, having himself seen, heard, and touched Jesus (1 Jn 1:1), understood the power of direct presence in conveying ultimate truth. The urgency of John's desire for personal communication also indicates the immediate and pressing danger posed by the false teachers, a situation best confronted with decisive, clear, and living teaching that written words alone might not provide for immediate clarification and protection. It highlights that Christian faith is profoundly relational, built on authentic communion, and that discipleship flourishes most robustly through shared life and personal instruction. The joy envisioned is a profound, overflowing spiritual state, attainable only when fellowship in Christ is unhindered by error and solidified by shared truth and love.

2 John 1 12 Commentary

Second John 1:12 beautifully articulates the Elder's pastoral heart and his commitment to profound, personal discipleship over distant, impersonal communication. While written epistles served a crucial function in spreading the Gospel and maintaining instruction, John recognized their inherent limitations, particularly for addressing nuanced issues or establishing deeper bonds. His "many things to write" suggested content too weighty or sensitive for the medium of "paper and ink," implying complex doctrinal matters—especially concerning the nature of Christ and the warnings against false teachers—that required the immediate, dynamic clarity of direct dialogue. The aspiration to speak "face to face" underscored a longing for intimate fellowship, an environment where truth could be absorbed, questions answered, and erroneous understandings corrected with precision and sensitivity. The desired outcome, that "our joy may be full," transcends mere informational transfer. It speaks to the holistic spiritual well-being of the believers and John himself, indicating that genuine, robust Christian joy is found not only in receiving truth but in embodying it within authentic, communal fellowship—a fellowship most fully experienced when gathered in person, free from the threats of heresy, and abounding in love and truth.