3 John 1:13

KJV

I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee:

KJV (with Strong's)

I had {G2192} many things {G4183} to write {G1125}, but {G235} I will {G2309} not {G3756} with {G1223} ink {G3188} and {G2532} pen {G2563} write {G1125} unto thee {G4671}:

Complete Jewish Bible

I have much to write you, but I don’t want to write with pen and ink;

Berean Standard Bible

I have many things to write to you, but I would prefer not to do so with pen and ink.

American Standard Version

I had many things to write unto thee, but I am unwilling to write them to thee with ink and pen:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In 3 John 1:13, the Apostle John concludes his brief epistle to Gaius by expressing a deliberate choice to withhold further written communication, indicating that he possesses numerous matters he wishes to convey but deems them unsuitable for ink and pen. This verse serves as a pivot, signaling John's strong preference for face-to-face interaction to discuss these important, unstated topics, thereby emphasizing the profound value of personal fellowship and direct pastoral engagement over the limitations of written correspondence.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse appears at the very end of John's Third Epistle, immediately preceding his intention to visit Gaius "shortly" (3 John 1:14). It acts as a transitional statement, explaining why the letter is so brief and why certain details or instructions are omitted. The letter itself is primarily a commendation of Gaius's hospitality towards itinerant missionaries and a subtle, yet firm, critique of Diotrephes, who had rejected John's authority and refused hospitality to fellow believers. John's decision to reserve "many things" for a personal meeting suggests that these unwritten matters likely pertain to the ongoing challenges posed by Diotrephes or more intimate pastoral counsel concerning the support of the truth, which would be better handled with the nuance and authority of a direct encounter.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the first century Roman world, letters were the primary means of long-distance communication, but they were often seen as a poor substitute for personal presence. Oral communication was highly valued, carrying more weight and allowing for immediate clarification, emotional expression, and the building of deeper relational bonds. Scribes and secretaries were common, and the act of writing with ink (μέλαν, _melan_) and a reed pen (κάλαμος, _kalamos_) on papyrus or parchment was a laborious process. John's statement reflects a common ancient sentiment that complex or sensitive matters, especially those involving personal relationships or authority, were best handled "mouth to mouth" rather than through the less personal and potentially ambiguous written word. This preference underscores the pastoral realities of the early church, where personal visits were crucial for maintaining unity, teaching, and addressing disputes.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within 3 John and the broader Johannine corpus. Firstly, it highlights the **importance of personal fellowship and direct communication** within the Christian community, a theme echoed in John's other epistles (e.g., [2 John 1:12](/2_john/1-12 "2 John 1:12 - John's Desire for Personal Fellowship")). Secondly, it underscores the **limitations of written communication** for conveying the full scope of pastoral care and instruction, especially when dealing with nuanced or sensitive issues like the disruptive behavior of Diotrephes or the complexities of supporting missionaries. Finally, it reinforces the theme of **apostolic authority and pastoral oversight**, as John, as an elder, intends to personally address matters that require his direct intervention and presence, demonstrating his commitment to the spiritual well-being of Gaius and the wider church.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **had (Greek, _échō_):** This verb signifies "to hold," "to possess," or "to have." In this context, it indicates that John possessed or held within his mind "many things" (πολύς, _polys_) that he desired to communicate. It points to a reservoir of unexpressed thoughts, concerns, or instructions that were ready to be articulated, but for which he chose a different medium.
* **write (Greek, _gráphō_):** A primary verb meaning "to grave," "to write," or "to describe." John uses this verb twice in the verse, first to acknowledge the "many things to write" that he *could* have put to paper, and then to state his deliberate decision *not* to "write unto thee" using the physical instruments of ink and pen. This repetition emphasizes the contrast between the potential and the chosen method of communication.
* **will not (Greek, _thélō_ + _ou_):** The verb _thélō_ means "to determine," "to choose," or "to wish," indicating a conscious and active option from subjective impulse. Coupled with the absolute negative particle _ou_ (not), it forms a strong negation: John actively chooses *not* to write these things. This is not a matter of inability or forgetfulness, but a deliberate pastoral decision rooted in his preference for direct, personal interaction.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I had many things to write,"**: This clause reveals John's internal state and the scope of his unexpressed thoughts. He had a multitude of topics, perhaps ranging from further commendations for Gaius, more detailed instructions regarding the traveling missionaries, or, most likely, a more direct and extensive confrontation of Diotrephes's rebellious actions and false teachings. The "many things" imply a significant volume or complexity that a brief letter could not adequately address.
* **"but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee:"**: This second clause presents a strong contrast to the first, introduced by the conjunction "but" (ἀλλά, _alla_). It signifies John's conscious and firm decision to refrain from committing these "many things" to written form. The explicit mention of "ink and pen" (μέλανι καὶ καλάμῳ, _melani kai kalamō_) highlights the physical act and medium of writing, underscoring the limitations he perceived in this method for the specific content he had in mind. His choice to withhold written communication implies that the matters are either too sensitive, too nuanced, or require a level of personal authority and interaction that only a direct visit could provide.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in 3 John 1:13 is **Anticipation**. By stating he has "many things to write" but choosing not to do so with "ink and pen," John creates a sense of expectation for his impending visit. This deliberate withholding of information serves to heighten the importance of the future personal encounter, making Gaius eager for John's arrival and the direct communication it will bring. Furthermore, there is an element of **Understatement** or **Implication** in "many things," as the brevity of the letter and the seriousness of the issues (like Diotrephes's rebellion) suggest that these unwritten matters are weighty and significant, requiring more than a cursory mention. The verse also employs **Contrast** between the written word (ink and pen) and the implied oral communication ("mouth to mouth" in the next verse), highlighting the perceived superiority of personal presence for certain types of interaction.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John's preference for personal communication in 3 John 1:13 underscores a profound theological truth about the nature of relationship and truth-sharing within the Christian faith. While the written Word of God is foundational and inerrant, the New Testament consistently values the relational, incarnational aspect of ministry. John's desire to speak face-to-face reflects the understanding that some truths are best conveyed, some counsel best given, and some relationships best nurtured through the full spectrum of human interaction—tone, body language, immediate feedback, and shared presence. This highlights that Christian discipleship and community are not merely about information transfer, but about transformative relationship, mirroring God's own relational nature and His desire for intimate fellowship with His people.

* [2 John 1:12](/2_john/1-12 "2 John 1:12 - John's Desire for Face-to-Face Communication")
* [Romans 1:11-12](/romans/1-11-12 "Romans 1:11-12 - Paul's Longing for Mutual Encouragement")
* [1 Corinthians 16:5-7](/1_corinthians/16-5-7 "1 Corinthians 16:5-7 - Paul's Plans for Personal Visit")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In our increasingly digital age, where communication is often reduced to fleeting texts, emails, and social media posts, John's words in 3 John 1:13 serve as a powerful and timely reminder of the irreplaceable value of personal presence and direct, relational communication. While written communication offers convenience and efficiency, it inherently lacks the nuance, emotional depth, and immediate feedback that face-to-face or even voice-to-voice interaction provides. For believers today, this verse challenges us to discern the appropriate medium for our messages, especially concerning matters of spiritual counsel, conflict resolution, or deep encouragement. It calls us to prioritize genuine fellowship, to intentionally make time for in-person gatherings with fellow believers, and to understand that true spiritual growth and robust community often flourish best in the context of shared physical presence, where we can truly "see eye to eye" and "speak heart to heart." This is particularly vital in pastoral care, where empathy and understanding are paramount.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "many things" in your life or relationships might be better communicated in person rather than through written or digital means?**
* **How does prioritizing face-to-face fellowship strengthen the bonds within your local church or Christian community?**
* **In what ways might over-reliance on digital communication hinder deeper spiritual connection or effective conflict resolution in your life?**

### FAQ

**Why didn't John just write everything he wanted to say?**

Answer: John's decision not to write everything was a deliberate pastoral choice, not a matter of inability or lack of time. As indicated in the verse, he "had many things to write," implying a significant volume or complexity of information. However, he preferred to communicate these matters "with mouth to mouth" (as stated in [3 John 1:14](/3_john/1-14 "3 John 1:14 - John's Desire for Personal Meeting")). In the ancient world, oral communication carried more weight, allowed for immediate clarification, conveyed tone and emotion, and fostered deeper relational bonds. It's highly probable that the unwritten matters included sensitive issues, such as a more direct confrontation of Diotrephes's disruptive behavior or detailed instructions for Gaius regarding hospitality and missionary support, which John believed required the authority, nuance, and personal interaction that only a direct visit could provide.

**What were these "many things" John wanted to communicate in person?**

Answer: While John does not explicitly state what these "many things" were, the context of the letter provides strong clues. The primary issues addressed in 3 John are Gaius's commendable hospitality towards traveling missionaries and the disruptive, unchristian behavior of Diotrephes, who rejected John's authority, refused hospitality, and slandered others. It is highly probable that the "many things" included a more detailed rebuke of Diotrephes, specific instructions on how to handle his rebellion, further commendations or encouragement for Gaius, and perhaps more nuanced guidance on supporting the truth and dealing with false teachers or divisive individuals. These were matters that required the full weight of John's apostolic presence and personal counsel, rather than the limitations of a written letter.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The Apostle John's preference for personal presence over written communication in 3 John 1:13 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. God, in His infinite wisdom, chose not merely to send a written message to humanity, but to send His Son, the Living Word, to dwell among us. As [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh") declares, "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us." This **Incarnation** is the supreme example of God's desire for face-to-face communication, demonstrating that the deepest truths of His love, grace, and redemption could only be fully conveyed through the personal presence of His Son. Jesus' earthly ministry was characterized by direct, relational teaching, healing, and discipleship, speaking truth "mouth to mouth" with His followers, embodying the very relational dynamic John desired with Gaius. Furthermore, the promise of the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus called the "Helper" or "Advocate," signifies Christ's continued personal presence with His church (see [John 14:16-17](/john/14-16-17 "John 14:16-17 - The Promise of the Holy Spirit")). Ultimately, the Christian hope culminates in the anticipation of a future, glorious, face-to-face encounter with Christ Himself, when "we shall see him as he is" (as promised in [1 John 3:2](/1_john/3-2 "1 John 3:2 - We Shall See Him As He Is")), fulfilling the deepest longing for perfect, unmediated communion.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 John 1:12

¶ 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.