2 John 1:12

“Having many things to write unto you, etc.] Either on a civil, or on a religious account, concerning the state of the churches of Asia, and particularly Ephesus, and of private families and persons, and concerning the truths and doctrines of the Gospel; not that he had any new one, or any other than what they had heard from the beginning, to communicate to them, by word of mouth, for this he denies, (<630105>2 John 1:5,6); wherefore this makes nothing for the unwritten traditions of the Papists, and as if the Scriptures did not contain the whole of doctrine and of the will of God. I would not [write] with paper and ink; any more than what was written: but I trust to come unto you; where they…”

“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 complete in hearing from me in person the joyful Gospel truths which I now defer communicating till I see you. On other occasions his writing the glad truths was for the same purpose.”

“Having 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 not strictly correct. “Paper,” as that term is now understood, was not invented until long after this period. The material designated by the word used by John (χάρτης chartēs) was the Egyptian papyrus, and the particular thing denoted was a…”

“Having many things to write, I was not minded to write now - Only of these, which were then peculiarly needful. 2 John 1:13”

“1:12 Our English idiom face to face has the same meaning as the Greek idiom used here (literally mouth to mouth; see also 3 Jn 1:14). • Then our joy will be complete: Our relationship with Christ is not merely a private experience; we experience the fullest joy in harmonious fellowship with other believers.”

“many: Joh 16:12 I would: Jo3 1:13 I trust: Rom 15:24; Co1 16:5-7; Plm 1:22; Heb 13:19, Heb 13:23 face to face: Gr. mouth to mouth, Num 12:8 that: Joh 15:11, Joh 16:24, Joh 17:13; Ti2 1:4; Jo1 1:4 our: or, your 2 John 1:13”