Charles Ellicott Commentary 3 John 1:13

"I had many things to write unto thee, but I am unwilling to write [them] to thee with ink and pen:" — 3 John 1:13 (ASV)

I had many things to write.—Rather, There were many things which I wished to write.

But I will not.—Compare to 2 John 1:12.

Peace be to you.—This is the best wish the Apostle can form, instead of the usual Greek ending, “Be strong,” or “Farewell!”

It was our Lord’s resurrection greeting; the internal peace of a good conscience, the external peace of universal friendship, and the heavenly peace of future glory begun even in this life. (John 20:26; Romans 5:33; Galatians 6:16; Ephesians 6:23; 2 Thessalonians 3:16; 1 Peter 5:14.)

Our friends greet you.—Rather, The friends. By this appellation, uncommon in the New Testament, St. John recalls our Lord’s words in John 15:13-15.

Greet the friends by name.—Each friend was to receive a personal message from the Apostle, and Caius would know who they were as well as if St. John wrote them down.

In a short private letter, it would be unsuitable to have a long list of special messages as in a Pauline Epistle, especially as the Apostle hoped shortly to see them.

John perhaps thinks of his Master’s ideal in John 10:3.