3 John 1:13

1:12 Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true.

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

KJV

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

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

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

1:14 But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name. face to: Gr. mouth to mouth

What does 3 John 1:13 mean?

3 John 1:13 is a verse in the book of 3 John, in the New Testament. In the original Greek, key words include ἔχω (echo), γράφω (grapho), ἀλλά (alla). It connects to 2 cross-referenced passages elsewhere in Scripture.

Greek interlinear

hadἔχωecho/ekh'-o/G2192scheo skheh'-o; (used in certain tenses only) a primary verb; to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or condition):--be (able, X hold, possessed with), accompany, + begin to amend, can(+ -not), X conceive, count, diseased, do + eat, + enjoy, + fear, following, have, hold, keep, + lack, + go to law, lie, + must needs, + of necessity, + need, next, + recover, + reign, + rest, + return, X sick, take for, + tremble, + uncircumcised, use.

many

thingsG4183

write,γράφωgrapho/graf'-o/G1125a primary verb; to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe:--describe, write(-ing, -ten).

butἀλλάalla/al-lah'/G235neuter plural of 243; properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations):--and, but (even), howbeit, indeed, nay, nevertheless, no, notwithstanding, save, therefore, yea, yet.

willG2309

notοὐouG3756ouk ook, and (before an aspirate) ouch ookh a primary word; the absolute negative (compare 3361) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but. See also 3364, 3372.

withδιάdia/dee-ah'/G1223a primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional):--after, always, among, at, to avoid, because of (that), briefly, by, for (cause) ... fore, from, in, by occasion of, of, by reason of, for sake, that, thereby, therefore, X though, through(-out), to, wherefore, with (-in). In composition it retains the same general importance.

inkμέλαςmelan/mel'-an/G3188neuter of 3189 as noun; ink:--ink.

andκαίkai/kahee/G2532apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.

penκάλαμοςkalamos/kal'-am-os/G2563or uncertain affinity; a reed (the plant or its stem, or that of a similar plant); by implication, a pen:--pen, reed.

writeγράφωgrapho/graf'-o/G1125a primary verb; to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe:--describe, write(-ing, -ten).

unto

thee:σύsoi/soy/G4671dative case of 4771; to thee:--thee, thine own, thou, thy.

Commentary on 3 John 1:13

HENRY_FULL · 3 John 1:12–13

="x-p" Caution against Seducers. ( a. d. 90.) 10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: 11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds. Here, I. Upon due warning given concerning seducers, the apostle gives direction concerning the treatment of such. They are not to be entertained as the ministers of Christ. The Lord Christ will distinguish them from such, and so would he have his disciples. The direction is negative. 1. "Support them not: If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine (concerning Christ as the Son of God, the Messiah and anointed of God for our redemption and salvation), receive him not into your house. " Possibly this lady was like Gaius, of whom we read in the next epistle, a generous housekeeper, and hospitable entertainer of travelling ministers and Christians. These deceivers might possibly expect the same reception with others, or with the best who came there (as the blind are often bold enough), but the apostle allows it not: "Do not welcome them into your family." Doubtless such may be relieved in their pressing necessities, but not encouraged for ill service. Deniers of the faith are destroyers of souls; and it is supposed that even ladies themselves should have good understanding in the affairs of religion. 2. "Bless not their enterprises: Neither bid him God speed. Attend not their service with your prayers and good wishes." Bad work should not be consecrated or recommended to the divine benediction. God will be no patron of falsehood, seduction, and sin. We ought to bid God speed to evangelical ministration; but the propagation of fatal error, if we cannot prevent, we must not dare to countenance. Then, II. Here is the reason of such direction, forbidding the support and patronage of the deceiver: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds. Favour and affection partake of the sin. We may be sharers in the iniquities of others. How judicious and how cautious should the Christian be! There are many ways of sharing the guilt of other people's transgressions; it may be done by culpable silence, indolence, unconcernedness, private contribution, public countenance and assistance, inward approbation, open apology and defence. The Lord pardon our guilt of other persons' sins!

Cross-references

Related passages from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

1 Peter 5:13

The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son.

3 John 1:1

The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth. in: or, truly

Topics

Epistles Gaius Pen

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with 3 John 1:13.

Matthew 4:4

But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

Matthew 13:21

Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. offended: he relapseth, or, falleth into sin

Matthew 13:5

Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:

Matthew 2:18

In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.

Matthew 9:12

But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.

Matthew 9:13

But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Matthew 10:20

For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.

Matthew 10:34

Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.

Frequently asked questions

What does 3 John 1:13 say?

3 John 1:13 (King James Version) reads: "I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee:"

Is 3 John 1:13 in the Old or New Testament?

3 John 1:13 is in the New Testament of the Bible, in the book of 3 John.

Reflect

As you read 3 John 1:13, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

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