2 John 1:12

Linguistic Bible Translation from Source Texts

I have much to write to you, but I do not want to do so with paper and ink. Instead, I hope to come to you and speak face to face, so that our joy may be complete.

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

Πολλὰ ἔχων ὑμῖν γράφειν, οὐκ ἐβουλήθην διὰ χάρτου καὶ μέλανος: ἀλλὰ ἐλπίζω ἐλθεῖν πρὸς ὑμᾶς, καὶ στόμα πρὸς στόμα λαλῆσαι, ἵνα ἡ χαρὰ ἡμῶν ᾗ πεπληρωμένη.

Transliteration

Many things echōn to you to graphein, not I eboulēthēn through chartou and melanos: but I elpizō to elthein pros you, and stoma pros stoma to lalēsai, that the chara of us might be peplērōmenē.

Grammar Details

• *echōn*: present, active, participle, nominative, masculine, singular - having
• *graphein*: present, active, infinitive - to write
• *eboulēthēn*: aorist, passive, indicative, 1st person singular - wished/desired
• *chartou*: genitive, masculine, singular - paper
• *melanos*: genitive, neuter, singular - ink
• *elpizō*: present, active, indicative, 1st person singular - hope
• *elthein*: aorist, active, infinitive - to come
• *pros*: preposition + accusative - to/toward
• *stoma*: accusative, neuter, singular - mouth
• *lalēsai*: aorist, active, infinitive - to speak
• *chara*: nominative, feminine, singular - joy
• *peplērōmenē*: perfect, passive, participle, nominative, feminine, singular - having been fulfilled

Word Meanings

• *echōn*: having/possessing/holding
• *graphein*: to write/record
• *eboulēthēn*: wished/desired/intended
• *chartou*: paper/papyrus
• *melanos*: ink/black substance
• *elpizō*: hope/expect
• *elthein*: to come/arrive
• *stoma pros stoma*: mouth to mouth/face to face
• *lalēsai*: to speak/talk/converse
• *chara*: joy/gladness/delight
• *peplērōmenē*: having been fulfilled/completed/made full

Other Translations

• King James Version 1769 (Standard Version)

  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.

• KJV1611 – Modern English

  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.

• King James Version 1611 (Original)

  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.

• American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

  Having many things to write unto you, I would not [write them] with paper and ink: but I hope to come unto you, and to speak face to face, that your joy may be made full.

• King James Version with Strong's Numbers

  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.

• Tyndale Bible (1526/1534)

  I had many thinges to wryte vnto you neverthelesse I wolde not wryte with paper and ynke: but I trust to come vnto you and speake with you mouth to mouth that oure ioye maye be full.

• Coverdale Bible (1535)

  I had many thinges to wryte vnto you: neuertheles I wolde not wryte wt papyre and ynke, but I trust to come vnto you, and to speake with you mouth mouth, that oure ioye maye be full.

• Geneva Bible (1560)

  Although I had many things to write vnto you, yet I woulde not write with paper & ynke: but I trust to come vnto you, & speake mouth to mouth, that our ioy may be full.

• Bishops' Bible (1568)

  I had many thynges to write vnto you: neuerthelesse, I woulde not write with paper & inke, but I trust to come vnto you, and speake with you mouth to mouth, that our ioy may be full.

• Authorized King James Version (1611)

  ¶ 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.

• Webster's Bible (1833)

  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.

• Young's Literal Translation (1862/1898)

  Many things having to write to you, I did not intend through paper and ink, but I hope to come unto you, and speak mouth to mouth, that our joy may be full;

• American Standard Version (1901)

  Having many things to write unto you, I would not `write them' with paper and ink: but I hope to come unto you, and to speak face to face, that your joy may be made full.

• American Standard Version (1901)

  Having many things to write unto you, I would not [write them] with paper and ink: but I hope to come unto you, and to speak face to face, that your joy may be made full.

• Bible in Basic English (1941)

  Having much to say to you, it is not my purpose to put it all down with paper and ink: but I am hoping to come to you, and to have talk with you face to face, so that your joy may be full.

• World English Bible (2000)

  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.

• NET Bible® (New English Translation)

  Conclusion Though I have many other things to write to you, I do not want to do so with paper and ink, but I hope to come visit you and speak face to face, so that our joy may be complete.

Referenced Verses

• John 16:24 : 24 Until now you have asked for nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, so that your joy may be full.
• John 17:13 : 13 But now I am coming to You, and I speak these things in the world so that they may have My joy fulfilled within them.
• John 15:11 : 11 I have told you these things so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.
• 1 John 1:4 : 4 We write these things to you so that your joy may be fully complete.
• 3 John 1:13-14 : 13 I had many things to write, but I do not want to write to you with ink and pen. 14 But I hope to see you soon, and we will speak face to face.
• John 16:12 : 12 I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.
• Num 12:8 : 8 With him I speak face to face, clearly and not in riddles; he sees the form of the LORD. Why then were you not afraid to speak against My servant Moses?'
• Rom 15:24 : 24 I plan to do so when I go to Spain. I hope to see you while passing through and to have you assist me on my journey there, after I have enjoyed your company for a while.
• 1 Cor 16:5-7 : 5 I will come to you after passing through Macedonia—for I am traveling through Macedonia. 6 Perhaps I will stay with you or even spend the winter, so that you may help me on my journey wherever I go. 7 For I do not want to see you now just in passing; I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits.
• 2 Tim 1:4 : 4 I long to see you, as I remember your tears, so that I may be filled with joy.
• Phlm 1:22 : 22 At the same time also prepare a guest room for me, since I hope that through your prayers I will be restored to you.
• Heb 13:19 : 19 I urge you all the more earnestly to do this so that I may be restored to you more quickly.
• Heb 13:23 : 23 Know that our brother Timothy has been released, and if he arrives soon, I will come with him to see you.