2 John 1:12

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 John 1:12-13

The apostle concludes this letter, 1. With an adjournment of many things to personal conference: 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. Here it is supposed that some things are better spoken than written. The use of pen and ink may be a mercy and a pleasure; but a personal interview may be more so. The apostle was not yet too old for travel, nor consequently for travelling... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 2 John 1:10-13

1:10-13 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house and do not greet him on the street; for he who greets him becomes a partner in his evil deeds. Although I have many things to write to you, I do not wish to do so with paper and ink, but I hope to come to see you and to speak to you face to face, that our joy may be completed. The children of your Elect Sister send their greetings to you. Here we see very clearly the danger... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 John 1:12

Having many things to write unto you ,.... 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, 2 John 1:5 ; wherefore this makes nothing for the unwritten traditions of the Papists, and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 John 1:12

Having 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 more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 John 1:1-13

This Epistle is written by the Apostle John to a Christian family. He, like the Apostle Peter had done before him ( 1 Peter 5:1 ), styles himself a presbyter. His First Epistle was written to a Church or to the Churches. In this, the Second Epistle, we have a priceless fragment of early Christian history, showing us the relation which subsisted between the apostle and a Christian family, and also to how large an extent the new Christian faith was in some instances moulding family life, by... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 John 1:12

Having many things to write. This remark is almost conclusive against the supposition that the Second Epistle was sent as a companion-letter to the First. The hypothesis has little or nothing to support it. I would not (do so) by means of paper and ink. It is astonishing that any one should suppose that intercourse on paper is here opposed to spiritual intercourse: obviously it is opposed to conversation. The elder just writes what is of urgent importance to prevent fatal mistakes during... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 John 1:12-13

3. THE CONCLUSION OF THE EPISTLE . It is in their openings and conclusions, and especially in the latter, that the Second and Third Epistles have so strong a resemblance that we are almost compelled to assign them not merely to the same author, but to the same period in the author's life. St. John had a tenacious memory, as his writings prove; but we may doubt whether so trivial a matter as the mode of beginning and ending a short letter would have remained for years together in his... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 John 1:12

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... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 John 1:12-13

2 John 1:12-13. Having many things to write Concerning these and other subjects; I would not Ουκ εβουληθην , I was not minded, to communicate them by paper and ink Probably the apostle meant that he had many things to say concerning the characters and actions of the false teachers; perhaps also he wished to mention to her the names of those that he had principally in view. But these things he did not think it proper to write in a letter; especially as he proposed to visit this matron... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 2 John 1:1-13

CONTENTS OF THE LETTERThe ‘elect lady’ whom John mentions in his opening greeting could have been an individual known to John, but the expression seems more likely to refer to a church. If this is so, ‘her children’ would be the church members. Whoever they were, John addresses them in a way that shows the respect and love he has for them. They are united with John and with Christians everywhere through the truth of Christ that they hold in common and the love of Christ in which they all share.... read more

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