Read & explore together
Conclusion
These closing words give a personal ending to the letter. The writer says he has much more to write, hopes to speak face to face, and includes a greeting from “the children of your chosen sister”.
Understanding the passage
The setting of these words
In this conclusion, the writer comments on how he wants to communicate. He has more he could write, yet he does not want to continue only with paper and ink. Instead, he hopes to come and speak face to face, so that joy may be made full. The letter ends with a greeting.
2 John 1:12–13Main takeaway
This conclusion shows that the writer values his letter, yet hopes for personal speech and shared joy beyond what he writes here.
Follow the letter’s teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01He still has more to sayThe writer begins by saying he has “many things” to write. That tells us this conclusion comes before everything he might have included.
Explanation
The writer begins by saying he has “many things” to write. That tells us this conclusion comes before everything he might have included. The letter is complete as a letter, but not exhaustive. He lets the readers know that further words are possible beyond these written lines.
02He does not want to rely only on writingHe says he does not want to continue “with paper and ink”. This does not dismiss writing, because these words themselves are written.
Explanation
He says he does not want to continue “with paper and ink”. This does not dismiss writing, because these words themselves are written. Instead, the phrase shows a limit in this form of communication. For this writer, some matters are better left for direct conversation than for a page.
03He hopes to speak face to faceThe writer expresses hope to come and speak “face to face”. The verse connects this hoped-for visit with joy: “that our joy may be made full”.
Explanation
The writer expresses hope to come and speak “face to face”. The verse connects this hoped-for visit with joy: “that our joy may be made full”. The meeting matters not only for exchanging words, but also for the joy that would come with personal presence and conversation.
04The letter ends with a greetingThe final greeting says, “The children of your chosen sister greet you.” The passage does not explain more about them here, but it clearly closes with remembered relationships between people connected to this letter.
Explanation
The final greeting says, “The children of your chosen sister greet you.” The passage does not explain more about them here, but it clearly closes with remembered relationships between people connected to this letter. The final “Amen” marks a clear ending to the message.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What does the writer say about how much more he could write?
Notice the opening phrase of verse 12, where he says he has “many things” to write.
02What kind of communication does the writer hope for instead of continuing only with paper and ink?
Look for the exact phrase in verse 12 that describes personal conversation: “to speak face to face”.
03Who sends the greeting at the end of the letter?
Read verse 13 carefully and keep the wording close to the text: “The children of your chosen sister greet you.”
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
2 John 1:12–13
12Having 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.
13The children of your chosen sister greet you. Amen.