3 John 1:13

I have many things to write to you, but I do not wish to write to you with ¹  pen and ink. ² 

I have much to write to you, but I do not want to do so with pen and ink.

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

I have much to tell you, but I don’t want to do it in a letter.

I have a lot more things to tell you, but I'd rather not use pen and ink.

I had much to say to you, but it is not my purpose to put it all down with ink and pen:

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

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

I have many things to write to you, but I do not wish to write to you with ¹  pen and ink. ² 

¹ tn Grk “by means of.”

² tn Grk “ink and pen.” The more normal order in contemporary English is “pen and ink.”

sn The figurative phrase with pen and ink is parallel to 2 John 12, suggesting that both letters may well have been written at approximately the same time and in similar situations. The author tells Gaius that he has more to say, but does not wish to do so in writing; he would rather talk in person (3 John 14). It appears that the author anticipates a personal visit to Gaius’ church in the very near future. This may be the same visit mentioned in connection with Diotrephes in v. 10. Gaius’ church and Diotrephes’ church may have been in the same city, or in neighboring towns, so that the author anticipates visiting both on the same journey.