3 John 1:13Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

“I had many things to write to you,” that is, many commandments.

Something similar was said by John and explained by me at the end of the preceding Epistle. Therefore it would be superfluous to repeat the same thing again.

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.

Having not expressed at the beginning the most important wish, peace, the Apostle gives it at the end of the Epistle. Perhaps this was especially necessary because of the disorder produced by Diotrephes and those like him. This wish was as necessary as it was consoling, since it was given by the most venerable and holy Apostle John the Theologian. The remembrance of friends breathes the same consolation, with a greeting from them. So also does the greeting sent to all the Christians surrounding Gaius.