2 John 1:12Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The Apostle gives as the reason why this Epistle and the one following it are written briefly that he hopes to come himself and, in a personal meeting, supply what is lacking.

The Apostle himself explains the reason for the brevity of this and the following Epistle: he hopes to arrive soon and tell the rest in a personal meeting.

By saying that he "has much to write," the Apostle portrays his duty, his apostolic obligation to communicate to believers everything necessary, important, and useful for their edification. A certain part of this was communicated in the two brief Epistles of the Apostle John, the Second and the Third. But a far greater part found no place in them.

Thus the Apostle says at the end of both: "I had much to write to you." Why did he not write it? Because he did not wish to use this method of communication, since it is neither the only nor the best method.

"I have much to write to you": concerning what has now been written briefly, or generally concerning the lofty subjects of Christian faith and life, especially in view of the false teachers who have appeared. These are all the things about which the loving Apostle would wish to write to the lady whom he loves and to her household.

But the Apostle prefers to converse with them about everything in person during his intended visit, probably in the course of his customary apostolic journey through the churches, when he personally inspected them.

The Apostle John speaks of the inexpressibility of the fullness of Christian teaching even in the Gospel. This is all the more natural here, in so brief a letter. In it the Apostle wished to express the whole depth of his feelings and thoughts, but, because this was impossible, he deferred it until oral conversation.

The holy Apostle Paul had the same attitude toward writing and the oral transmission of the whole fullness of the Christian spirit and teaching (see Rom 1:11, 12). From this it is clear that writings were only auxiliary means in the work of spreading and confirming Christianity.