χάρτης (chartēs)
chartēs
paper
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun chartēs refers to a sheet of paper made from papyrus strips, the standard writing material in the ancient Mediterranean world. Unlike clay tablets or wax-coated boards used for temporary notes, this medium was designed for preserving longer texts. The word appears only once in the New Testament, in Second John 12, where the author mentions having much to write but choosing instead to speak face-to-face.
This single usage highlights a practical contrast between written correspondence and personal visitation. While chartēs represents the physical vehicle for enduring communication, the epistle’s context suggests that the living voice carries a weight that paper alone cannot convey. The term itself derives from the material’s origin, linking the concept of writing directly to the processed papyrus reed.
Translators consistently render chartēs as "paper" or "sheet of paper," reflecting its straightforward meaning without theological ambiguity. Its rarity in the New Testament underscores that while written documents were valued for their permanence, the early Christian community also prioritized direct, interpersonal connection over lengthy epistolary exchange.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word chartēs refers to a sheet of papyrus, the standard writing material in the ancient Mediterranean world. It was designed for preserving longer texts, unlike clay tablets or wax boards used for temporary notes. In Second John 12, the author mentions having much to write but choosing instead to speak face-to-face. This highlights a practical contrast between written correspondence and personal visitation.
While chartēs represents the physical vehicle for enduring communication, the context suggests that the living voice carries a weight that paper alone cannot convey. The early Christian community prioritized direct, interpersonal connection over lengthy epistolary exchange. This reminds us that while written documents are valued for their permanence, personal presence remains essential.
In your faith journey, this word encourages you to value both the enduring truth of Scripture and the warmth of face-to-face fellowship. It is a gentle reminder that technology and media, however useful, cannot replace the joy of shared presence. May you find balance in using written words while cherishing the opportunity to connect with others in person.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- paper1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- χάρτου1×
Key Verses
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II John 1:12
Having 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.
This verse uses chartēs to contrast the limitation of written letters with the fullness of face-to-face joy, showing that personal presence completes what paper cannot.