Though I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink. Instead I hope to come to you and talk face to face, so that our joy may be complete.
Second John closes with the writer setting down his pen: he has much more to say, but he would rather say it in person. A stern letter about deceivers ends as a warm family note, and it raises a question: why does joy become full when believers meet?
What Could Not Wait
The letter is short on purpose.
Leslie M. GrantJohn had much more that he wanted to write, but other things could wait until he came to speak face to face. The matter he wrote about, however, could not wait: it was vitally important. Certainly today we must be no less watchful in refusing the many deceivers who go from door to door. But fullness of joy in true fellowship remains the blessed property of the children of God, as the end of verse 12 shows.
Paper And Ink, Or A Person
Choosing a visit over a letter shows what kind of love the writer had.
J. N. DarbyHere I find another thing — the kind of affection that should reign among the saints. It was not just an abstract love; there was gladness in seeing them, real comfort in it, and rejoicing to see them doing well. The Holy Spirit always encourages this activity of love, however strong He may be for the truth.
There is also a plain practical reason why talking together beats writing.
Scripture QuarterlyThe apostle John saw the value of speaking together. He wrote, "I hope to come to you and talk face to face, so that our joy may be complete" (2 John 12)… Isolation tends to breed distrust, which speaking together soon dispels.
Joy That Assumes Faithfulness
The closing line is not detached from the warning before it. Hoping for shared joy tells us how far the apostle trusted these readers.
William KellyHis hope of coming and his greeting show the same thing. The apostle fully counted on his readers to take to heart and carry out without fail his order to shut out the man who was false to Christ. That man was trying to trap others into his wicked works. He made no threat of consequences. He only warned that compromise here means fellowship with the evil-doer. He made no attempt to force obedience by appealing to his own position, or to their long friendship. It all depends on what grace has made us feel is due to Christ. It is really a question between the Son and Satan… He looked for faithfulness to Christ. He shows it plainly: when he comes to them, he speaks of their joy being made full. This he could not have hoped for if he had any doubt about their faithfulness.
Love Seeks Company, But Not At Any Price
The same love that longs for a visit also refuses to overlook evil. Note whose joy is in view too — the apostle wanted to be with them for his own joy.
JacobThe apostle had great joy in his children and he longed to be with them so that his joy might be full. His love came out in this way. He would be with them for his own joy. Love seeks the company of the loved ones. Yet this was not the love that allows a person to go on with evil… It is not the false love that accepts what is not of the truth just to keep Christians pleased. In both these little letters we see those who have to be resisted. It is love founded on the truth; love which must love, and cannot help loving, yet must act according to truth.
The Meeting Still Ahead
This letter ends with the hope of meeting in person. One writer looks past the apostle's travel plans to a greater meeting.
Arno Clemens GaebeleinBoth letters end with a coming face-to-face meeting. Let us remember that some blessed day there will be a "face to face" meeting. The saints of God will meet together for eternal fellowship. Above all, we shall be face to face with Him. How soon it may be! But while we wait, may we walk in the light. May we enjoy our fellowship with the Father and with His Son to the full.
Summary
- Urgency: The letter is brief. Only the warning about the deceiver could not wait; the rest waited for the visit.
- Presence: He put paper and ink aside for a person. This love is not abstract; it is glad to see people and comforted when they do well.
- Isolation: Being apart tends to breed distrust; speaking together soon clears it away.
- Faithfulness: He expected full joy only because he trusted them to shut the deceiver out. Compromise would have destroyed that joy.
- Fullness: Love seeks the company of those it loves, yet acts according to truth. It ends where the letter ends — face to face, and one day face to face with Him.