The Book of 3rd John
:13-14a
"we shall speak face to face"

Bible Study and Commentary
James Deering,
AncientPath.net



THE VISUALIZED TEXT (NASB)  (
conjunctions & prepositions underlined, words not in original text in italics)  (alternate text in purple)

3 John :13
I had many things to write to you,
but I am not willing to write them to you with pen and ink;

3 John :14a
But
    I hope to see you shortly, and
    we shall speak face to face.

Apparently Demetrius has come to take care of many other things that need fixing in this local church, the nature of which he does not want in writing. Apparently John feels that his letters have been unanswered, possibly unopened, or in general disregarded. Nor does he wish to give the enemy fair warning of the mission of Demetrius, should this letter have been intercepted.

John now reveals the intent of verse :10 and "if I come." It is on John’s heart to probably arrive not too long after Demetrius arrives. His first order of business then is to speak "face to face" with Gaius. John wants "to know everything" before his encounters with Diotrephes and his supporters. I think John expects a "back door revival." You know, when a local church needs to loose a few members so that the work of The Lord can get back on track.


Notes:
Things more personal and condifential.



2012-11-23