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Selected Verse: 2 John 1:12 - King James
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| 2Jo 1:12 |
King James |
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. |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
| A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
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. |
| Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
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 leaf made out of that plant. The sheets were made from membranes of the plant closely pressed together. This plant was found also in Syria and Babylon, but it was produced in greater abundance in Egypt, and that was the plant which was commonly used. It was so comparatively cheap, that it in a great measure superseded the earlier materials for writing - plates of lead, or stone, or the skins of animals. It is probable that the books of the New Testament were written on this species of paper. Compare Hug, Introduction, chapter iii., Section 11.
And ink - The ink which was commonly employed in writing was made of soot and water, with a mixture of some species of gum to give it consistency and durability - Lucke. The instrument (pen) was made of a reed.
But I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face - Margin, as in Greek, "mouth to mouth." The phrase is a common one, to denote conversation with any one, especially free and confidential conversation. Compare Num 12:8; Jer 32:4.
That our joy may be full - Margin, "your." The marginal reading has arisen from a variation in the Greek copies. The word "our" is best sustained, and accords best with the connection. John would be likely to express the hope that he would find pleasure from such an interview. See the notes at Jo1 1:4. Compare Rom 1:11-12. |
| Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
I would not (οὐκ ἐβουλήθην)
See on Mat 1:19.
Paper (χάρτου)
Only here in the New Testament. The Egyptian papyrus or byblus, Cyperus papyrus, anciently very common, but not now found within the limits of the country. It is a tall, smooth flag or reed, with a large triangular stalk, containing the pith which furnished the paper. The paper was manufactured by cutting the pith into strips, arranging them horizontally, and then placing across them another layer of strips, uniting the two layers by a paste, and subjecting the whole to a heavy pressure. The upper and middle portions of the reed were used for this purpose. The fact that the plant is no longer found is significant in connection with Isaiah's prophecy that "the flags (Hebrews suph, papyrus) shall waste away" (Isa 19:6). The plant grew in shallow water or in marshes, and is accordingly represented on the monuments as at the side of a stream or in irrigated lands. The Jews wrote on various materials, such as the leaves of the olive and palm, the rind of the pomegranate, and the skins of animals. The tablet (πινακίδιον, Luk 1:63) was in very common use. It consisted of thin pieces of wood, strung together, and either plain, or covered with papyrus or with wax.
Ink (μέλανος)
Lit., that which is black. The word occurs only once outside of John's Epistles (Co2 3:3), and only three times in all (Jo2 1:12; Jo3 1:13). Ink was prepared of soot or of vegetable or mineral substances. Gum and vitriol were also used. Colored inks, red and gold, were also employed.
To come unto you (γενέσθαι πρὸς ὑμὰς)
Or, to be present with you. For the phrase, see Co1 2:3; Co1 16:10.
Face to face (στόμα πρὸς στόμα)
Lit, mouth to mouth. Compare πρόσωπον προς πρόσωπον, face to face, Co1 8:12.
Full (πεπληρωμένη)
Rev., rightly, fulfilled.
|
| Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
| Having many things to write, I was not minded to write now - Only of these, which were then peculiarly needful. |
| Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
| 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, |
11 For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;
12 That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.
4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.
4 And Zedekiah king of Judah shall not escape out of the hand of the Chaldeans, but shall surely be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon, and shall speak with him mouth to mouth, and his eyes shall behold his eyes;
8 With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?
12 But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.
10 Now if Timotheus come, see that he may be with you without fear: for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do.
3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.
13 I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee:
12 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.
3 Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.
63 And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all.
6 And they shall turn the rivers far away; and the brooks of defence shall be emptied and dried up: the reeds and flags shall wither.
19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.