I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee:
The verse stands at the close of a personal letter addressed to the well-beloved Gaius, whose subject is showing hospitality to brethren who carry the gospel to the Gentiles. It comes after commendation of Gaius for his faithful care of brethren and strangers who went forth for His name's sake, taking nothing of the Gentiles, and who ought to be received as fellow helpers to the truth. It also comes after reproof of Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence, does not receive the apostles, speaks against them with malicious words, himself refuses the brethren, forbids those who would receive them, and casts them out of the church.
In this closing, John deliberately holds back many more things from committing to writing with pen and ink. He does so because he trusts to see Gaius shortly and to speak face to face instead.
The verse stands at the close of a personal letter addressed to the well-beloved Gaius, whose subject is showing hospitality to brethren who carry the gospel to the Gentiles. It comes after commendation of Gaius for his faithful care of brethren and strangers who went forth for His name's sake, taking nothing of the Gentiles, and who ought to be received as fellow helpers to the truth. It also comes after reproof of Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence, does not receive the apostles, speaks against them with malicious words, himself refuses the brethren, forbids those who would receive them, and casts them out of the church.
In this closing, John deliberately holds back many more things from committing to writing with pen and ink. He does so because he trusts to see Gaius shortly and to speak face to face instead.