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.
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.
- BSB 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.
- 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.
- 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 had many things to write to you, but I am unwilling to write to you with ink and pen;
- John 16:12“I have yet many things to tell you, but you can’t bear them now.
- 1 Jn 1:4And we write these things to you, that our joy may be fulfilled.
- John 15:11I have spoken these things to you, that my joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be made full.
- John 17:13But now I come to you, and I say these things in the world, that they may have my joy made full in themselves.
- 1 Cor 16:5–7But I will come to you when I have passed through Macedonia, for I am passing through Macedonia.
- Num 12:8With him, I will speak mouth to mouth, even plainly, and not in riddles; and he shall see Yahweh’s form. Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant, against Moses?”
- Rom 15:24whenever I travel to Spain, I will come to you. For I hope to see you on my journey, and to be helped on my way there by you, if first I may enjoy your company for a while.
- John 16:24Until now, you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be made full.
- Heb 13:19I strongly urge you to do this, that I may be restored to you sooner.
- 2 Tim 1:4longing to see you, remembering your tears, that I may be filled with joy;
- Phlm 1:22Also, prepare a guest room for me, for I hope that through your prayers I will be restored to you.
- Heb 13:23Know that our brother Timothy has been freed, with whom, if he comes shortly, I will see you.
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Original language
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