Reading through 1 John you will notice that the author often sets out his ideas in groups of three.
In chapter 1 he gives three tests of life and already in chapter 2 he has presented three tests for love.
Three tests in chapter 1: all begin with ‘if we say.’
1:6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
1: 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
Three tests in chapter two: all begin with ‘he that saith.’
2:4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him…
2:6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
2:9 He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.
In the section 2:12-27 the author tells his first readers precisely why he has written this letter to them. The first reason is given in 2:12-14.
2:12-14 John writes because of their spiritual state.
Because of previous warnings in the letter one might think that the state of his addressees was suspect but these verses clarify that their spiritual condition was good. John was hoping that this would continue.
In 2:12-14 we have more triplets, two series of three, all beginning with the assertion ‘I am writing to you….. because.’
Series 1
2:12 I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake.
2:13 I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning.
2:13 I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one.
Series 2
2:13 I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.
2:14 I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning.
2:14 I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.
CHILDREN
FATHERS
YOUNG MEN
Opinion is divided as to what is meant by ‘children’, ‘fathers’, and ‘young men’. Is the author addressing:
- three physical age groups , i.e. ‘children’, ‘fathers’, and ‘young men’?
- three levels of spiritual maturity, i.e. new Christians, mature Christians, and those with some Christian experience?
- all the Christians as children, and then directing his comments to ‘fathers’ and ‘young men’, whether according to physical age groups (older people and younger people) or spiritual maturity (more mature, maturing)?
Whatever the case may be it seems odd that the group labelled ‘fathers’ is placed in the middle of each sequence.
The word for children (teknía) is a figurative term of affection. It occurs in Jn 13:33, Gal 4:19 and seven times in 1 John (2:1, 12, 28; 3:7, 18; 4:4; 5:21). It is said of them that their sins have been forgiven ‘ on for his name’s sake’ i.e. on account of Jesus Christ. John is thus reminding them of the wonderful fact that they had experienced the forgiveness of sins. This is something that has happened in the past but is still true in the present.
It is said of the ‘fathers’ that they have ‘known him that is from the beginning. This refers to the person of Jesus Christ and would seem to refer back to 1:1-2. The ‘beginning’ is the incarnation of the ‘Word of life’.
The ‘young men’ (neanískos occurs only here and in the following verse in the Johannine writings) have overcome (nikáō – see also 4:4; 5:4 twice, 5) evil / the evil one (ponērós – 2:13, 14; 3:12; 5:18, 19).
Having addressed his first readers as ‘children’, ‘fathers’ and ‘young men’ in 2:12-13a John does so for the second time in 2:13-14. What he says to these parties is similar to what he has said in the first series.
The ‘children’ have ‘known the Father’.
Again the ‘fathers’ have known the one who is ‘from the beginning’. Here the ‘I am writing’ changes from the present tense to the Aorist, John now presenting his writing of the epistles as a complete rather than as an ongoing action.
Again it is said that the young men have overcome ‘the wicked one’ but John now adds two further reasons for writing to them:
- because they are strong
- because the word of God abides (remains, lives) in them.
SUMMATION
Viewed as ‘children’ the believers had experienced forgiveness of sins and had come to know the Father.
Viewed as ‘fathers’ the believers had fellowship with the eternal One who had become incarnate.
Viewed as ‘young men’ the believers had fought and overcome the evil one. This had made them strong in their faith.
Written Exposition 
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