I have many things to write to you, but I would prefer not to do so with paper and ink. Instead, I hope to come and speak with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete.
Parallel translations
- WEB Having many things to write to you, I don’t want to do so with paper and ink, but I hope to come to you, and to speak face to face, that our joy may be made full.
- 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.
- 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.
- NASB Though I have many things to write to you, I do not want to do so with paper and ink; but I hope to come to you and speak face to face, so that your joy may be made complete.
- 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.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
John has much more to say but prefers to come and speak face to face so their joy may be complete. Personal Christian fellowship brings a fullness of joy that letters alone cannot.
Overview
Rather than write everything down, John hopes for a personal visit, valuing the deeper joy of direct fellowship among believers. This warm desire balances the letter's stern warnings, showing that the apostle's heart is for the community's flourishing and shared gladness. The "full joy" recalls Jesus' promise that abiding in him and his love completes our joy (John 15:11).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 13
- 3 Jn 1:13–14I have many things to write to you, but I would prefer not to do so with pen and ink.
- John 16:12I still have much to tell you, but you cannot yet bear to hear it.
- 1 Jn 1:4We write these things so that our joy may be complete.
- John 15:11I have told you these things so that My joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.
- John 17:13But now I am coming to You; and I am saying these things while I am in the world, so that they may have My joy fulfilled within them.
- 1 Cor 16:5–7After I go through Macedonia, however, I will come to you; for I will be going through Macedonia.
- Num 12:8I speak with him face to face, clearly and not in riddles; he sees the form of the LORD. Why then were you unafraid to speak against My servant Moses?”
- Rom 15:24I hope to see you on my way to Spain. And after I have enjoyed your company for a while, you can equip me for my journey.
- John 16:24Until now you have not asked for anything in My name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.
- Heb 13:19And I especially urge you to pray that I may be restored to you soon.
- 2 Tim 1:4Recalling your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy.
- Phlm 1:22In the meantime, prepare a guest room for me, because I hope that through your prayers I will be restored to you.
- Heb 13:23Be aware that our brother Timothy has been released. If he arrives soon, I will come with him to see you.
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Christ at the center
To walk in truth and love is to abide in 'the teaching of Christ'; whoever has the Son has both the Father and life.
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Original language
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