3 John 1:14 (DBY)

Passage

but I hope soon to see thee, and we will speak mouth to mouth. Peace [be] to thee. The friends greet thee. Greet the friends by name.

Nearby Context

3 John 1:12 Demetrius has witness borne to him by all, and by the truth itself; and *we* also bear witness, and thou knowest that our witness is true.

3 John 1:13 I had many things to write to thee, but I will not with ink and pen write to thee;

3 John 1:14 but I hope soon to see thee, and we will speak mouth to mouth. Peace [be] to thee. The friends greet thee. Greet the friends by name.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "hope", "soon", "thee", "speak", "mouth", and "peace". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "hope" and "soon", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The prior verse says "I had many things to write to...", giving immediate footing for "hope" and "soon". In 3 John context, the local focus is Christ, faith, and discipleship.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "hope" and "soon" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.