3 John 1:13
New International Version
I have much to write you, but I do not want to do so with pen and ink.

New Living Translation
I have much more to say to you, but I don’t want to write it with pen and ink.

English Standard Version
I had much to write to you, but I would rather not 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.

Berean Literal Bible
I had many things to write to you, but I do not desire to write to you with ink and pen;

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

New King James Version
I had many things to write, but I do not wish to write to you with pen and ink;

New American Standard Bible
I had many things to write to you, but I do not want to write to you with pen and ink;

NASB 1995
I had many things to write to you, but I am not willing to write them to you with pen and ink;

NASB 1977
I had many things to write to you, but I am not willing to write them to you with pen and ink;

Legacy Standard Bible
I had many things to write to you, but I am not willing to write them to you with pen and ink;

Amplified Bible
I had many things [to say when I began] to write to you, but I prefer not to put it down with pen (reed) and black (ink);

Christian Standard Bible
I have many things to write you, but I don’t want to write to you with pen and ink.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
I have many things to write you, but I don’t want to write to you 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:

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
I have much to write to you, but have not desired to write to you with ink and pen.

Contemporary English Version
I have much more to say to you, but I don't want to write it with pen and ink.

Douay-Rheims Bible
I had many things to write unto thee: but I would not by ink and pen write to thee.

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

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I have a lot to write to you. However, I would rather not write.

Good News Translation
I have so much to tell you, but I do not want to do it with pen and ink.

International Standard Version
Although I have a great deal to write to you, I would rather not write with pen and ink.

Literal Standard Version
Many things I had to write, but I do not wish to write to you through ink and pen,

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

New American Bible
I have much to write to you, but I do not wish to write with pen and ink.

NET Bible
I have many things to write to you, but I do not wish to write to you with pen and ink.

New Revised Standard Version
I have much to write to you, but I would rather not write with pen and ink;

New Heart English Bible
I had many things to write to you, but I am unwilling to write to you with ink and pen;

Webster's Bible Translation
I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write to thee:

Weymouth New Testament
I have a great deal to say to you, but I do not wish to go on writing it with ink and pen.

World English Bible
I had many things to write to you, but I am unwilling to write to you with ink and pen;

Young's Literal Translation
Many things I had to write, but I do not wish through ink and pen to write to thee,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Conclusion
12Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself. We also testify for him, and you know that our testimony is true. 13I have many things to write to you, but I would prefer not to do so with pen and ink. 14Instead, I hope to see you soon and speak with you face to face. Peace to you. The friends here send you greetings. Greet each of our friends there by name.…

Cross References
Matthew 1:19
Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and was unwilling to disgrace her publicly, he resolved to divorce her quietly.

2 John 1:12
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.


Treasury of Scripture

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

see on

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.

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Deal Great Ink Pen Purpose Rather Unwilling Want Willing Wish Write Writing
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Deal Great Ink Pen Purpose Rather Unwilling Want Willing Wish Write Writing
3 John 1
1. He commends Gaius for his piety,
5. and hospitality,
7. to true preachers;
9. complaining of the unkind dealing of ambitious Diotrephes on the contrary side;
11. whose evil example is not to be followed;
12. and gives special testimony to the good report of Demetrius.














(3) (13) I had many things to write.--Rather, There were many things which I wished to write.

But I will not.--Comp. 2John 1:12.

(14) Peace be to thee.--The best wish which the Apostle can form, instead of the usual Greek ending, "Be strong," or "Farewell!" It was our Lord's resurrection greeting; the internal peace of a good conscience, the external peace of universal friendship, the heavenly peace of future glory begun even in this life. (Comp. John 20:19; John 20:26; Rom. 5:33; Galatians 6:16; Ephesians 6:23; 2Thessalonians 3:16; 1Peter 5:14.) . . .

Vers. 13, 14. - 3. CONCLUSION (see notes on 2 John 12, 13). Here the pen or reed κάλαμος is mentioned instead of the paper, as a means of writing. The word is found nowhere else in the New Testament in this sense Note the ἀλλά and the δέ, each with its right force, the former expressing a strongcr opposition than the latter: "I had many things to write to thee; nevertheless, I do not care ἀλλ οὐ θέλω with ink and pen to write to thee: but I hope ἐλπίζω δέ straightway to see thee, and we shall speak mouth to mouth." "The friends" are perhaps so called in contrast to the hostility of Diotrephes and his party. Instead of warfare, "peace be to thee;" instead of the wicked prating of enemies, the salutations of friends. The elder concludes with his own personal salutation to all the members of his flock who reside near to Gaius (comp. John 10:3).



Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
I have
εἶχον (eichon)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.

many things
Πολλὰ (Polla)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 4183: Much, many; often.

to write
γράψαι (grapsai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 1125: A primary verb; to 'grave', especially to write; figuratively, to describe.

you,
σοι (soi)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

but
ἀλλ’ (all’)
Conjunction
Strong's 235: But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.

I would prefer
θέλω (thelō)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 2309: To will, wish, desire, be willing, intend, design.

not
οὐ (ou)
Adverb
Strong's 3756: No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.

[to do so]
γράφειν (graphein)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 1125: A primary verb; to 'grave', especially to write; figuratively, to describe.

with
διὰ (dia)
Preposition
Strong's 1223: A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.

pen
καλάμου (kalamou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2563: A reed; a reed-pen, reed-staff, measuring rod. Or uncertain affinity; a reed; by implication, a pen.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

ink.
μέλανος (melanos)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 3188: Ink. Neuter of melas as noun; ink.


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NT Letters: 3 John 1:13 I had many things to write (3J iiiJ 3Jn iii jn 3 jo)
3 John 1:12
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