1 John 2:12-14
“12 I write to you, little children,
Because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake.
13 I write to you, fathers,
Because you have known Him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young men,
Because you have overcome the wicked one.
I write to you, little children,
Because you have known the Father.
14 I have written to you, fathers,
Because you have known Him who is from the beginning.
I have written to you, young men,
Because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you,
And you have overcome the wicked one.”
The Audience
The disciple whom Jesus loved refers to the audience of this epistle in four ways:
o Little Children (2:12) – From τεκνίον (tek-nee’-on) meaning (literally) an infant or (figuratively) someone deeply loved [1]. The term may also refer to recent converts, or new babes in Christ;
o Children (2:13) – from παιδίον (pahee-dee’-on) meaning child, possibly up to 7 years in age [1]. The term may also figuratively refer to immature but maturing Christians. Note that the word παιδίον is translated as “children” in the ESV and NASB, rather than as “little children” as in the KJV and NKJV;
o Young Men (2:13-14) – From νεανίσκος (neh-an-is’-kos) meaning a man under the age of 40 [1]. Possibly this term can refer figuratively to those Christians who are relatively mature in their faith; and
o Fathers (2:13-14) – From πατήρ (pat-ayr’) meaning father, elder, or ancestor, and having the sense of an intimate relationship with his children [1]. Possibly this term can figuratively refer to those who not only are mature in their faith, but are actively discipling others and leading in some capacity in the body of Christ.
Why did John use these four terms? It’s possible that John is addressing each specific group within the body of Christ. For example, not all Christians are sufficiently mature to be “fathers” or leaders within the body of Christ. However, John may also be referring to the same people in this passage — his little children (1 John 2:1) — his beloved brethren (1 John 2:7) — in different ways to emphasize different aspects of their (our) relationship with God and other Christians. Let’s take a closer look:
Little Children (2:12)
• Are all people “little children” of God (John 1:12)? No!
• What’s the status of a newborn child of God (1 John 2:12)? He/she is justified by faith (Romans 5:1)!
• Should/can there be “little children” in the local and universal body of Christ? Of course! All Christians are born again, and every healthy local body of Christ should be involved in evangelism, through which there will become more “little children” in the body.
Children (2:13)
• What’s characteristic of a child of God (1 John 2:13)? He/she knows God the Father personally through direct experience (see also 1 John 2:23b)! This is expected as the newborn (recent convert) begins to grow in understanding and wisdom (through application and the sanctification process).
• To what extent, in this sense, are all Christians “children”? We shouldn’t expect new disciples to immediately and completely understand all Scripture, as well as how to apply it. Hence, “teaching new believers to observe God’s commandments” is integral to the great commission (Matthew 28:19-20).
Young Men (2:13-14)
• What’s characteristic of these “young men”? They’re strong, the Word of God abides in them; and they’ve overcome the wicked one.
• To what extent can these characteristics apply to all Christians? God is the ultimate source of our strength (Isaiah 40:28-31); Jesus’ word abides in all of His disciples (John 8:31), though to different degrees depending on the degree of our maturity; and all of Jesus’ disciples have overcome Satan (1 John 5:4-5). Through Jesus we have been permanently freed from the strong man’s house (Mark 3:23-27) and will continue to overcome him while in this world through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Fathers (2:13-14)
• What’s characteristic of these “fathers?” They have known Him who is from the beginning (Jesus), personally and by experience!
• To what extent does this characteristic apply to all Christians (1 John 5:20)? It’s universal, though the degree to which we know Him is commensurate with the degree to which we obey Him (1 John 2:3-5).
The Wicked One
There is much written about the wicked one throughout Scripture. For example:
o Ephesians 2:1-2 – He is the prince of the power of the air.
o 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 – He is the “god” of this age, and he blinds people to the truth.
o 1 John 5:19 – The whole world is under his influence.
o John 8:44 – He is a murderer and the father of lies.
o 1 Peter 5:8 – He’s our adversary, and he seeks to devour people (both Christians and non-Christians).
o Job 1:6-7 – He had (or still has, depending on your eschatological view) access to the throne room of God!
o Revelation 12
• 12:9 – He is the dragon, the great serpent of old;
• 12:4 – He was and is opposed to Jesus Christ.
• 12:7 – He was, or one day will be, cast out of heaven.
• 12:10 – He is the accuser of the brethren.
• 12:17 – He was, is, and will be enraged with Israel and with Christians, intent on war.
o Romans 16:20 – He will be crushed!
o Revelation 20:10 – He will be cast into the lake of fire, where he shall be tormented, forever!
How did John’s Audience Overcome the Wicked One?
o 1 John 2:12 – They had been justified by faith!
o 1 John 2:14 – They were abiding in the word of God!
o 1 John 4:4 – He who was in them (the Holy Spirit) is greater than he who is in the world (the wicked one)!
o 1 John 5:4-5 – Through faith in Christ they overcame the devil, and would continue to overcome the world (the “place” and “system” in which he temporarily has limited reign).
How have and can Christians Overcome Today?
o 1 John 2:12 – We’re justified! We have overcome Satan already!
o 1 John 4:4 – He who is in us (the Holy Spirit) is greater than he who is in the world (the wicked one)!
o 1 John 5:4-5 – Through faith in Christ we have overcome the devil, and we will continue to overcome the world (the place and “system” in which he temporarily has limited reign).
o 1 John 2:14 – By abiding in His word (by knowing and applying it)!
o Romans 12:21 – We can overcome with good!
o James 4:7 – We can submit to God and resist the devil, for if we do, he will flee!
o Ephesians 6:10-18
• 10-13 : Through the whole armor of God!
• 14 : His truth and His righteousness!
• 15 : The peace of the good news!
• 16 : Faith in Christ!
• 17 : Hope (present and future), and the Word of God (our key weapon)!
• 18 : Supplicant prayer in the Spirit!
Summary
“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written:
‘For Your sake we are killed all day long;
We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.’
Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:31-39).” Amen!
Application Questions
o How do you view yourself in Christ (a little child, child, young man/woman, father/mother)?
• What step(s) might you need to take to grow in your relationship with God (e.g., spending more time in prayer or the study and application of God’s word)?
o In what area(s) of life are you personally struggling?
• What step(s) might you take to begin to overcome your struggle(s)?
• Do you need the help of a mature brother/sister or father/mother (an accountability partner, or someone to disciple you)?
o Is there someone in the body of Christ that you know of who is struggling to overcome?
• Do you need to make yourself available as a brother/sister or father/mother (an accountability partner, or to disciple him/her)?
Reference
[1] http://interlinearbible.org/1_john/2.htm
Note
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