Near the end, the elder says he has much to write but would rather not use “paper and ink” (2 John 1:12). He hopes to come and talk “face to face” (2 John 1:12). The purpose given is “so that our joy may be complete” (2 John 1:12).
In the closing, the writer says he has much more he could put in writing, but he prefers not to rely on “paper and ink.” Instead, he expects to visit and talk directly, because that kind of personal meeting will complete the shared happiness of both writer and recipients. These lines finish the short message that began with love “in truth” and quickly moved into encouragement and warning.
The writer presents these lines as a deliberate closing: he has “many things” still to communicate, but he chooses not to do it by “paper and ink.” Instead, he expects an in-person visit and a direct conversation (“face to face”). The stated purpose is relational and emotional: that “our joy” would be brought to its full measure.
A careful answer keeps the immediate passage, the book's argument, and the whole-Bible storyline together, so the question is answered in context instead of as a detached idea.
Start with 2 John 1:12, then read the surrounding section so the answer stays connected to the passage's flow.
12Having many things to write to you, I don`t want to do so with paper and ink, but I hope to come to you, and to speak face to face, that our joy may be made full.