We Will Talk Face to Face

[261 words] A line like this can make us curious: “I had much to write to you, but I would rather not write with pen and ink. I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face” (3 John 13-14). We can’t know for sure what else John needed to say, but we can glean some principles. Some matters are public. The situation with Diotrephes (3 John 9) needed to be written down and handled publicly because Diotrephes’ actions were affecting the church. He not only refused to welcome brothers himself but stopped those who tried, putting them out of the assembly (v. 10). At this point, action needed to be taken to preserve the truth, not Diotrephes’ reputation. Some matters are urgent. The brevity of the letter and the fact that John had “much to write” but didn’t take the time to do it convey a…